Grendel as a Universal Infantry Cartridge

[woohoo]

If you look through my posts over the years, I've never been a proponent for replacing 5.56. I have been a proponent for replacing 7.62 NATO, by displacing it to the vehicle-mounted weapons as a new proper LMG cartridge is phased in. (Check my post #72 in this thread, which is the first I addressed 5.56 vs. something else, appropriate platforms, AR12.5, etc.)

This LMG cartridge would also be used in Semi-Auto Sniper and DM systems.

Having managed men, weapons, and equipment in PACOM, SOUTHCOM, and CENTCOM on real-world deployments in airborne and light infantry units, I know what a bad thing it would be to have my Joe tentpeg riflemen slinging 120-130gr projectiles in close quarters. It would be beautiful in true Lightweight Squad-support belt-fed weapons, and precision Semi-Auto Systems, which have not received the same attention that carbines have.

5.56 carbines are almost perfect in their current state, especially with SOPMOD Block II and 70gr Barnes, although the bolt geometry is not up to the task in the long-term at 5.56 pressures reaching 62,000 psi.

The industry has jumped all over carbines, when they need to really improve our light machine gun systems. The SAW and M240 are way too heavy, bulky, and could have a better cartridge that would replace both systems. I've beaten this horse to death on the forum for years. You won't find me posting how every swinging Joe needs a high performance intermediate cartridge in his carbine here-quite the opposite.

I agree with you it shouldn't be used as a replacement for the M4 but I don't think it has enough case capacity/power for use in a LMG either.