03-12-2011, 01:43 PM
JASmith Wrote:These folks are somewhat more optimistic with their views on realizable ballistic coefficients and their consensus is that a BC of about .52 might be attainable in a production 8 gram (123 grain) bullet....Ah.. this is one of the challenges of referring to three different studies to inform a debate. They each have different objectives and constraints. The 1100 meter requirement is from the discussion in Tony William's "6.5 and the Politics of Procurement" discussion. Here the desire is to replace both cartridges with a single ammunition type for the roles up to and including the GPMG. Further, the thought is that the cartridge must be demonstrably equivalent to the M80 in terms of penetration and lethality at 1100 meters. --Joe
Joe:
I would like to see someone design a lead core and full metal jacket 6.5 bullet with a .5 BC and who can mass produce it while maintaining quality standards. Most likely some sort of hybrid between a secant and tangent ogive whose QC must be about ten times better than the current production line to maintain quality and actually show a significant improvement. I am sure it can be done but I bet that the costs would be astronomical to maintain quality standards.
I think you about max out the velocity capability of the cartridge given commercial powders with a 110 - 115 grain bullet. When you start going over 120 grains, you start to lose pretty good chunks of speed for every five grains of bullet weight. May not matter for competitive shooters but I tend towards favoring velocity over bullet weight for ball ammo use. That opens up another debate.
I understand the requirement is set at 1100 for GP machineguns. I am questioning the rationale for that distance. Guys can't see that far, can't estimate the range well enough to be effective, can't even see tracer well enough at those distances to determine if they are even close unless they use very big and very heavy thermals with spotters, any hit would be random chance and lethality would be more viewed an Act of God than even random chance.
So, perhaps in favor of the Grendel, I am questioning the distance because it is irrational in practical terms.
LR1955