.280 Enfield...Ahead of its time

[stanc]

I have to disagree there, Stan. The .280 was not ideal, but it was a viable general-purpose cartridge, unlike the 7.62x51, .30 Carbine, 7.92 Kurz and 7.62x39.

With what part of my OP are you disagreeing, Tony?

Certainly the .280 was a viable cartridge for a one-caliber system. But, the one-caliber battle rifle/GPMG concept had already been outmoded by advent of the assault rifle and intermediate cartridge before the .280 round had even left the drawing board.

And I dont know how you can seriously claim the 7.62x51 was not a viable GP round, considering how many countries used it for that purpose.

I would rather have gone for the .270 British (6.8x46) which had a base diameter similar to the Grendel's, but not in the 100-grain loading: with a heavier and more aerodynamic bullet of around 125 grains I think it would have been the optimum compromise.

I agree. However, the .270 is still significantly bigger and heavier than necessary for the assault rifle cartridge in a two-caliber system.