223/556 Heading for Obsolescence Soon?

[sscoyote]

Just read in a military publication that the military's going to the 6.8 for most of their uses. Anyone got a prediction for the future of 223/556?

 

[BleedsBlue]

My prediction is that the 223 will still be very popular in the civilian market.

We will see the popularity of the 6.8 rise and the 6.8 based Wildcats due to the increased availability of brass.

 

[22BRGUY]

Not much difference between 6.5 and 6.8. Wondering what's the point?

 

[Rustytigwire]

So implimentation will take 5 or 10 years? Big momentum will take time to turn.

 

[steve123]

Not anymore than 30-06 did.

Until some new tech comes out that overcomes the shortcomings of what we have now in modern cartridge design the standby's will hold on well.

As usual the military can't be bothered to come out with the optimal cartridge design that is both good at longer distances and has stopping power up close.

224V with heavies is as close as I've seen for a AR15 platform. But it wouldn't hurt to make a lower and magazine system a little longer which would solve some latitudinal problems.

 

[AckleymanII]

Politics is the killer

 

[scubohuntr]

Yeah, it'll be the end of 5.56. I mean, who even remembers 7.62, or .30-06, or .45 ACP? Even if the military entirely switches over to 6.8, many other countries will still use 5.56. Even if all the world's military arms switched over, millions are in police service. And it's a very good varmint round in its own right, even if it were only civilians shooting it. But maybe if the military switched over, the .222 could get back some of the respect it so richly deserves.

 

[bluealtered]

Guys the 6.8 has been around for a while now, it can be very accurate if you take the time to learn it. Here is what the last one i built years ago did on the first time out from the bench at 100yds. The two flyer's are on me, this was nine rounds total, seven in the ragged hole. I was simply trying to see if it would group, it did. I still have parts list on it somewhere and had under $500 in the upper if i remember right.

 

[Phil3]

I seriously doubt the 223/5.56 will see much of an impact, and if it does, it will likely happen at a point in the future when I won't be around given I am in my 60s. And who knows, maybe the new 6.8 will not be as successful for the military as they think it will be.

 

[INTJ]

Just read in a military publication that the military's going to the 6.8 for most of their uses. Anyone got a prediction for the future of 223/556?

Do you have a link?

 

[mikegaiz]

I heard they were looking at the 6.5 Creedmoor. It shoots 2 miles and comes with it's own cool aid.

 

[Medic505]

So when do we get to start shooting this 6.8 in FTR?

 

[Milo 2.0]

Can't see it dying a quiet death, too popular and cost effective to shoot. But I guess a lot of rds are built on once fired military brass, if that was to dry up it would hurt, take some time though.

 

[memilanuk]

So when do we get to start shooting this 6.8 in FTR?

About the same time the 1907 sling becomes illegal for Service Rifle...

 

[clunker]

.223/5.56 is not going away unless the AR-15 goes away. Of course, some states and activist groups are already trying to make this happen. If semi-autos are a thing of the past, then .223 is not really the best at anything anymore. Can't even hunt with it in my state. That being said, I'm never selling mine.

 

[AJC]

I heard they were looking at the 6.5 Creedmoor. It shoots 2 miles and comes with it's own cool aid.

As much as we like to make fun of this round I feel it would be a better choice. Why not any of the 6.5 or 7mm already available.

 

[joshb]

Not a chance. Think about how many millions of guns are chambered in the cartridge. I’d bet there are more 223s out there than any other cartridge!

 

[BR7.62]

if its the article im thinking of they dont say 6.8 spc they just say 6.8
there is speculation that theyre talking about caseless ammo in the article.
not gonna happen tomorrow...

 

[bluealtered]

I was reading about caseless ammo being the new thing back in the 60's, sure glad i didn't hold my breath. (I wish it had been, think where we might be today) The 6.8spc , (if that's what they are talking about) was another example of a new military cartridge done wrong by a large gun company. However people kept working on it and with a better twist and powder it has spun that .270 bullet at 3000fps. Not to bad for a short case large bullet.

It was only supposed to be a mid range bullet capable of 120-130 grain bullets, something the 5.56/.223 couldn't do. As for knocking down deer/hog size animals it works very well.

 

[Tim s]

Yeah, it'll be the end of 5.56. I mean, who even remembers 7.62, or .30-06, or .45 ACP? Even if the military entirely switches over to 6.8, many other countries will still use 5.56. Even if all the world's military arms switched over, millions are in police service. And it's a very good varmint round in its own right, even if it were only civilians shooting it. But maybe if the military switched over, the .222 could get back some of the respect it so richly deserves.

You’re kidding with this right?
Every pistol mfg on the planet hascome witha 45 ACP offering, 1/2 of them in 1911’s, you know,like small cottage outfits like Remington, Springfield, Ruger, etc.
1911’s in 45 have NEVER been as popular.