New Army "Caliber Configuration Study"

[stanc]

On the contrary, I have no doubt a 6.5mm ball round can match the BC of a SMK. Why? Look at the 7.62N 147gr FMJ. Meplat is already very small, no bigger than an HPBT. Ogive is already very sleek, damn near secant.

That's because it is a secant ogive.

Okay, let's assume that you're right. The 6.5mm 107gr MatchKing has only a 0.406 BC. Combine that with the probable muzzle velocities from 14.5" (carbine), 16" (DMR/IAR), and 18" (LMG) barrels. What ballistics do we get? Good enough to make 6.5G viable against the PKM?

I guess I'm assuming that in a real shooting war with China that, somehow, the grown-ups will be back in charge and green bullets will take a backseat to the steely-eyed dealing of death.

Would it be rude to point out that China, Russia, and other potential enemies have been using "nearly-green" (steel-core) bullets for decades?

"Eco-friendly" doesn't necessarily equate to ineffective.