How could or should the 6.5 mm Grendel be improved?

[stanc]

Secondly, does the bullet need to be redesigned? Can anyone provide data on its lethality at short range?

I think it's incorrect to talk about redesign. Since no lead free military ball projectile currently exists, one would have to be newly designed. Actually, at least two such bullets would need to be developed:

- One acceptable to the US, probably constructed like M855A1.
- One acceptable to the rest of NATO, a non-fragmenting FMJ.

In addition, Eastern European armies might want a conventional steel-core ball round.