Lets start over: how do you design a GPC?

[LRRPF52]

Maybe Tony Williams could do some scaling on this pic for a Grendel-appropriate tracer. Tracers are appropriate for a beaten zone of a machine gun, so the fact that there will be shot dispersion is intentional.

One would have to identify and clarify the maximum dispersion parameters to go forward with a serious discussion about a Grendel tracer. The 123gr idea to match the form factor of a 130gr FMJ or Green projectile makes a lot of sense to me.

I also agree that the SAW/FN Minimi design is not a good starting point for a serious LMG, since its operating system is basically an inverted AK, which is why SAWs have such a problem with longevity-the action beats itself apart, and the SAW weighs as much or more than a PKM, which is insane.

You need to start with a constant-recoil receiver design, with a good feed tray cover (which the SAW actually has from the MAG58 scaled-down), and go from there with a 12lb max empty weight goal, 11lb preferred. I actually like the barrel change mechanism from the SAW more than most other machine guns. It's very fast, very simple, and very user-friendly.