07-27-2011, 07:52 AM
stanc Wrote:P.S. Regarding your hoped-for 110gr T3, we should be able to get an idea of performance relative to 7.62 NATO by comparison testing M80 Ball and the Wolf 110gr FMJ...if/when it ever gets here, that is.
The problem is not how lead-cored FMJs compare, its how copper+steel bullets compare (since that's clearly what the US Army wants). Obviously, these will be significantly longer than lead bullets of the same weight, and tracer versions will be longer still. This potentially causes problems in achieving high BCs in smaller calibres and cases (especially with the cannelures needed for MG use), because their excessive length uses up case capacity and might even be difficult to stabilise.
The main priority as far as I'm concerned is in matching the long-range performance of the 7.62mm M80 while delivering a substantial reduction in weight, since that is going to be the major selling point to the army. Having invested so much in the M855A1, and having touted its capabilities so much, the army is unlikely to take much notice of claims that a calibre bigger than 5.56mm would add terminal effectiveness - they don't think it's necessary. The only shortfall in 5.56mm performance they are likely to acknowledge is at long range (500-1000m).