Optimized Caliber

[LRRPF52]

I was thinking about the same thing when looking at the Grendel case and the longer shoulder position of the 5.56 NATO case, especially when considering the feed pawls. The question isn't about getting the cartridge aligned properly, but if there is enough traction in the feed mechanism to purchase the cartridge on enough surface area to pull the Grendel cases through the feed mechanism.

Thinking back on the underside of the feed tray cover, where the heart of the belt-fed system lies, there are 2 feed pawls IIRC. One pulls the area ahead of the link, and one pulls on the base of the cartidge. Your point makes a lot more sense now, as I was thinking that you were saying that a Grendel link couldn't be made based on loop diameter or something.

One possible solution to this could be having the forward feed pawl a little longer and contoured so that it pulls the cartridge neck. That would be an easy solution, as long as it doesn't interfere with the ability to strip the cartridge from the links and drive it forward into the feed ramp that's on the bottom of the feed tray.