Part II of "Requirements for replacements of currently issued 5.56 M-855 and 7.62 M-8

[JASmith]

Guys -- we aren't ready to test.

Points to consider:

• What cartridge is the "optimized loading" in?
  
• How is the cartridge selected or defined?
  
• The suggested weights appear to give an unfair advantage to 6.5 mm because that bullet has the highest sectional density in the list.
  
• The targets/test media are not defined.
  
• Some communication, most likely informal, needs to happen with develop, procurement, or political entity to assure the test means something to a decisionmaker.
  

Regarding the unfair advantage mentioned above. The 'optimized loadings' might mean consistent muzzle velocity, consistent impact velocity, or the best one could do with his favorite cartridge. The least desirable choice is somebody's favorite cartridge in a caliber.

What I do know is that a poorly designed test will do more harm than good because it can:

1. appear to contradict one's expectations -- Reversing the results of an apparent failure in a test are extraordinarily difficult.
   
2. appear to incorrectly favor your expectation -- creating a credibility issue
   

Last point -- we are looking at a cartridge that, round for round, is about the same or a tad better in some areas in the 7.62X51 but can function in the AR-15 class of rifles. I maintain that we already know that's doable. We lack the story that puts the test in context.