New Army "Caliber Configuration Study"

[stanc]

Stan, no, I do not think a green 6.5mm 108gr lead-free can compete with standard 7.62x54R PKM ball.

Well, there ya go, John. That's why Guardsman26 and others are thinking that the caliber of a GPC (with a LF bullet) will probably have to be 6.86mm.

But, I'd still like to see applicable testing done on this and other aspects of performance.

Nincomp, great point about long-range accuracy of a shoulder fired ABGL and ammo load. I think Joker also alluded to the problem with long distances and fine motor skills on the two-way range. But that's not a new problem, it's existed since the invention of the rifled bore. DMs and snipers train to overcome it.

And no amount of belted ammo load for your MGs is gonna overcome enemies hidden behind boulders. However they solve the problem of accurate rifle and MG fire at long range is the same set of skills needed to solve the problem of using ABGLs at long range. The beauty of an airburst grenade is that your accuracy problem is a matter of feet, even meters, instead of inches.

John, I agree with all of that. Question is, can a 40mm ABGL be made that is light enough for one man to carry and operate, and has a max effective range of 800 meters against point targets, yet has tolerable felt recoil?