Textron Systems NGSW Rifle and LMG

[BluntForceTrauma]

Textron rep claimed it had "less recoil." Physics says a higher-pressure cartridge with a heavier bullet must have MORE recoil, so I'm interested in what mechanisms they used to reduce recoil.

Watching the video, these experienced shooters are suffering the same recoil problem as 7.62x51 weapons, particularly in full auto. They tried to be upbeat about it, but just watching the video you can tell.

My conclusion? Not sold on a cartridge this size.

Keep the same high-pressure — grudgingly — chamber specs and the same cartridge case weight reduction technology, but reduce the caliber and increase projectile BC until you get the smallest possible cartridge form factor that can still meet the penetration goals at range.

This keeps weapon form factor bulk down as well as the logistical benefits of a more compact cartridge.

6mmARC is a step in the right direction.

A larger cartridge is fundamentally a less optimum choice — all things considered.

And that's not even considering whether their performance criteria is realistic.