U.S. Special Operators Will Soon Be Using This 6.5mm "Assault" Machine Gun

[dolek]

Creedmoor fans are jumping for joy,internet warriors are too...something else to bitch about . 6.5 Creedmoor has it's merits...pretty simple really .

 

[Bindi2]

Why don't they just adopt the 7.62x39

 

[eric32]

Short barrel life opens a lot of logistical problems. Think of it this way. Now when you go into combat you have to carry twice as many barrels. Barrels are heavy. ON a machine gun barrels often last less then a thousand rounds. In saving private wryan they waited for the germans to switch barrels. Because ya you have to do it a lot.

The application for these is specific and very methodically planned, this isnt a general infantryman weapon.

 

[joshb]

Why don't they just adopt the 7.62x39

Are you kidding? Congress would launch ANOTHER investigation on why we adopted a Russian military cartridge! That would burn up another 2 years!

 

[eric32]

Hahaha

 

[hogpatrol]

It's all about the money, political connections and which senatorial district the manufacturers are based and whose turn it is to get a nice juicy government contract. Thinking this is better than anything else? Not in my opinion.

 

[saunaking]

Short barrel life opens a lot of logistical problems. Think of it this way. Now when you go into combat you have to carry twice as many barrels. Barrels are heavy. ON a machine gun barrels often last less then a thousand rounds. In saving private wryan they waited for the germans to switch barrels. Because ya you have to do it a lot.

I'm not sure what one of these weigh, but I know what the old "60" weighed. My A-gunner usually had one spare barrel with him, and if we were lucky we found any extra barrel for someone in the squad to carry. You could turn one of those barrels into a banana pretty quick when the action started. It was easy to weld the barrel to the receiver if you weren't switching the barrels out fast enough. One advantage would be slightly lighter ammo to carry. I got out in 76', so I'm sure there are lots of fancy gadgets for these types of weapons that the "Corps" never saw

 

[Evan]

Why don't they just adopt the 7.62x39

Probably because it has the ballistics of a mortar vs the laser like trajectory of the almighty six point five!

 

[rr2030]

It's really killing some guys on this forum that anything Creedmoor was chosen over anything they feel would be superior to whatever their favorite chambering is. I am enjoying this.

 

[Evan]

It's really killing some guys on this forum that anything Creedmoor was chosen over anything they feel would be superior to whatever their favorite chambering is. I am enjoying this.

I wonder what the response would be if they had announced 6.5x47. I'm curious if all these negative nellys would be piping up still.

 

[Bill K]

It all makes sense to me. That 5.56 just didn’t cut it at range. Of course the Browning .50 could really reach out if only you could carry it. You know, they’ve made it so much easier since my time.
First they got rid of the flint lock, then they got motorized vehicles, then they invented airplanes ......................

Just think, way more powerful than the 223/5.56 (Assault) rifle criminals and school shooters have favored, by the logic of politicians, now they will have this really powerful assault machine gun to do their crimes. Wonder when gun control politicians will jump on a ban on these.. Being sarcastic ? Yes, I am, but just watch.. Fienstein will lead the charge.

 

[hogpatrol]

It wouldn't make any difference what they chose. Just follow the money, who's building these weapons systems and where they are located.

State of manufacture: South Carolina represented by Lindsey Graham, head of the Judiciary committee, also serves on the Defense Department subcommittee.

https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography

 

[Baddog0302]

Makes no sense IMO. A high BC 6.5 cartridge isn't needed for this weaponry. A 30 caliber based cartridge is sufficient for a barrel burning machine gun. I'd imagine half the barrel life of a 30 caliber 308 cartridge. It's taking the Creedmoor thing a bit far

"Just follow the money" the military hardly ever goes for any new system without the prodding from congress, and congress never does anything without some incentive mainly in the form of $$$. So follow the money, Who stands to profit ??

 

[hogpatrol]

Not a bad thing but it's all about jobs for the Senator or Representative's constituents.

http://www.columbiabusinessmonthly....nding-role-as-a-supplier-for-the-u-s-military

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/11/14/us-army-orders-m4s/

 

[shoot4fun]

It wouldn't make any difference what they chose. Just follow the money, who's building these weapons systems and where they are located.

State of manufacture: South Carolina represented by Lindsey Graham, head of the Judiciary committee, also serves on the Defense Department subcommittee.

https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography

Not saying ANY Senator/legislator would not take lobby $$ to help steer a project but the M249 is already produced in SC unless I am totally wrong. This will likely be the platform for the 6.5 Creedmoor MG so nothing but a barrel change in my opinion. The 6.5 Creedmoor was a Hornady project. Maybe look at Hornady for the decision to move to the Creedmoor? After all, didn't SOCOM already announce it had chosen the 300PRC for long range snipers?
All those "haters" gonna hate but the 6.5 Creedmoor's immediate success is what prompted the 6.5-47L ever getting to our shores for a successful launch here. I have rifles in both and, in my opinion, the 6.5-47L is best for LRBR shooting and 6.5 Creedmoor is best for "precision rifle" shooting (of the 6.5 calibers).
Hang a Talisman on me!

 

[284winner]

"Just follow the money" the military hardly ever goes for any new system without the prodding from congress, and congress never does anything without some incentive mainly in the form of $$$. So follow the money, Who stands to profit ??

Hard to argue that. It's exactly how it works.

 

[hogpatrol]

No hate for the CM. In the last few decades, it's the best thing that's ever happened to the gun industry. It's made moa shooters out of 3 moa shooters. Other than the nauseating hype, what's not to like?

 

[Joe Salt]

What the hell is not to like about it, it's sure going to shoot further than that dumb 223 isn't it and when things are over 1000 yards away your going to wish you had A CREEDMOOR !

Joe Salt

 

[Bc'z]

What the hell is not to like about it, it's sure going to shoot further than that dumb 223 isn't it and when things are over 1000 yards away your going to wish you had A CREEDMOOR !

Joe Salt

And hit a helluva lot harder!

 

[Laurie]

The application for these is specific and very methodically planned, this isnt a general infantryman weapon.

I'm sure that's the case. I wonder what application is in mind here. The British Army and reportedly the USMC are withdrawing the FN Minimi 5.56 SAW (L110 UK; M249 US), in the UK's case at least partly replacing it with the 7.62mm L129A1 designated marksmen 'sharpshooter' semi-autos, but retaining the 7.62mm GP Machinegun (FN MAG or L7A1 in British forces terminology) for long-range suppressive fire.

The arguments against the 5.56mm SAW are an insufficient gain over the basic assault rifle in return for the extra weight, unit experience suggesting a true effective range of only 250 metres.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/03/21/british-army-drop-light-machine-guns/

Maybe SOCOM sees a 6.5mm LMG as overcoming that drawback and also replacing heavier 7.62mm machineguns like the M60 for long-range fire.

Bill Alexander argued after all (and still does I believe) that his little 6.5mm Grendel not only outperforms the 5.56 in the short/medium range role, but actually offers better long-range ballistics and retained bullet energy than the 7.62 in the machinegun role.