6.5 Grendel tryout

[randy]

All it will really take is for the media to conduct and publicize their own tests of issue 5.56 against modern armor....

Which is not likely to happen until the next time there is an (R) in the Whitehouse

[Netpackrat]

All it will really take is for the media to conduct and publicize their own tests of issue 5.56 against modern armor....

Which is not likely to happen until the next time there is an (R) in the Whitehouse

I wouldn't bet one way or the other. The ratings are there for the taking, and they are as much in the business to make money as to push their agenda.

You missed a couple of my points. Next generation armor, it will not be a question of the .556 round not getting through body armor at 500 yards, it will be an issue at 50 yards. That is what they are planning on.

Not really even next generation armor. Level III+ aka "special threat" plates are designed specifically to stop 5.56, and it is more or less becoming the de facto standard, at least in the US. M855A1 is going to penetrate some 3+ armor but there you are talking about a round that is really pushing the limit of what is possible from 5.56 without much regard for the longevity of the rifle.

[HTRN]

What I see as most likely happening is the military going back to 20" barrels. Remember, velocity is key with armor penetration, and ss109 loses almost 200 ft/sec vs M4barrel length(14.5")

[Precision]

What I see as most likely happening is the military going back to 20" barrels. Remember, velocity is key with armor penetration, and ss109 loses almost 200 ft/sec vs M4barrel length(14.5")

They should at least go back to 18" barrels for the 5.56 and perhaps look at more complete powder burn at 16-18" lengths.

Velocity and slim bullet profile. All things being equal (and even giving the fatter bullet a heavier weight) a 5.56 traveling at 3200 fps will penetrate better than a 6.5 or 308 at 3200 fps because the force is concentrated in a much smaller area. Things like penetrating tips and the like obviously help. And it is almost never the case with velocity being equal with a fatter / heavier bulletin comparison to a lighter thinner one.

My Level IV / IIIA plus (can't remember which) are easily defeated by 5.56 at 25-50 yards. Ice pick hole. I tested one for another reason and did not know that would happen. oops. Barely dented by a 308 at the same distance. Both FMJ and +/- 3200 fps and +/- 2600 fps respectively (IIRC on the velocities)

If I did my math correctly,
the 5.56 is 0.394" sq
the 6.5 is 0.547" sq
the 308 is 0.745" sq

[Vonz90]

One thing that is feasible with a 6.5 or 7.62 caliber is using a sabot with a tungsten or similar penetrator. Could sort of do it with a 5.56 I suppose but the penetrator would end up very small.

[HTRN]

One thing that is feasible with a 6.5 or 7.62 caliber is using a sabot with a tungsten or similar penetrator.

Cough, Remington Accelerator, Cough

[Netpackrat]

One thing that is feasible with a 6.5 or 7.62 caliber is using a sabot with a tungsten or similar penetrator. Could sort of do it with a 5.56 I suppose but the penetrator would end up very small.

When they make something like that, are they using tungsten carbide, regular old tungsten, or something else? Asking for a friend.

[Vonz90]

One thing that is feasible with a 6.5 or 7.62 caliber is using a sabot with a tungsten or similar penetrator. Could sort of do it with a 5.56 I suppose but the penetrator would end up very small.

When they make something like that, are they using tungsten carbide, regular old tungsten, or something else? Asking for a friend.

I don't know, I understand the theory and all and have used them (the 20mm Vulcan on CIWS used DU penetrators with sabots).

The theory is in would want something as dense and as hard as possible. Reduce the diameter via the sabot and the total weight vs a full size shot and you can get higher velocity from the same pressures, but this would imply the total weight should be less than the total weight of the standard shot (probably not fot the 20mm as it was designed around DU application; I think that was an 11mm penetrator or something like that).

We were nominally switching to a non DU round when I left active duty, but we never actually had any on board so I do not know what it looked like.

I would think carbide steel would work, if it had some tungsten or similar to bump up the density that would be a plus. Unfortunately I think the BAFT takes a dim view of making things like that.

[blackeagle603]

I get it we're all gunnuts but seems like more talk of deploying
a) more packable personal 'splodey stuff than can go down range as well
b) personal/squad level drones (sensors as well as ordnance capable) and
c) drone countermeasures
might be called for.

FIled under: Horseshows and hand grenades

[Netpackrat]

Unfortunately I think the BAFT takes a dim view of making things like that.

Yes, they do.