New Army "Caliber Configuration Study"

[stanc]

I understand that the US Army's Caliber Configuration Study is now proceeding with all guns blazing if you'll forgive the metaphor. Better news is that the US Army leadership and key influencers are all behind it... The UK has signed a MoU with the USA and will participate in the CCS.

Nick, that's very interesting news. (Pardon the late response. Somehow I missed seeing your post before today.) I'd rather like to see the Germans get on board, too. I always thought their old 6.5x43 round and its very long ogive bullet looked quite promising.

Meanwhile, the performance of the existing Grendel round is serving as a benchmark. Exactly which calibers are being looked at is not publicly available, but you don't need the brains of an archbishop to realise that it will likely include: .250, .260, .270 and .280 (with .308 above and .223 below serving as reference calibers).

I hope .240 is also included. The Russki 6x49 may have been too high pressure, but I think the projectiles were on the right track.

Meanwhile, as H&K melts down in the wake of the G36 scandal, FNH seems to be refining both SCAR-H and Minimi Mk 3 platforms. If I were a betting man, I might lay odds on the next US Army AR being the SCAR-H in something very close to a 6.5mm Grendel.

I'd take that bet. I personally like what I've seen of the SCAR-H, but has there been any US military interest in it, outside of SOCOM?

Plus, it seems worth noting that the Turks have reportedly adopted an AR-10 derivative. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/...nal-rifle/