FMJ yaw and upset performance

[Tony Williams]

Tony, I was just rereading your "Next Generation" article ( http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/The%20Ne...ration.htm ) and was intrigued by the following comment:



At first, I thought that was a great idea, as one might even be able (albeit at some expense) to buy up enough 7x43 rounds for preliminary testing. Unfortunately, as I looked at the photo of the 7x43 and 7.62x51 side-by-side, it occurred to me that the old .280 British has the same problem in using M13 links as does 6.5 Grendel with the M27 link design, only more so.

I see no way that 7.62x51 links can be used to feed 7x43, because the foward link loop would extend beyond the 7x43 shoulder almost up to the neck. See attached.

Yes, it does - I have some 7x43 dummies in 7.62mm links, made by a small ammo firm in the UK. They tried out a short length of belt by manually cycling it through a GPMG, and reported that the belt and rounds fed just fine (although the rounds obviously then disappeared up the too-long chamber!).