Posted on 05/03/2020 6:46:41 PM PDT by MtnClimber
One phenomenon that has emerged from the U.S. special operations community over the last 10 to 12 years involves exploration and acquisition of small arms in new ballistic calibers.
Rather than the better known weapon designs in 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, .50 caliber, and even the U.S. Army’s emerging 6.8 mm Next Generation Squad Weapon, the community has embraced calibers like the .300 AAC (Advanced Armament Corporation) Blackout (.300 BLK), 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), and both .300 and .338 Norma Magnum.
Often created as so-called “wildcat” rounds, prior to their broader acceptance and expanded production availability, these new caliber cartridges each provide a staggering array of design and performance specifics, experts said.
Recent requests for information released by U.S. Special Operations Command have identified specific command interest in a compact personal defense weapon chambered in .300 BLK.
“We’re dealing in whole different types of mission sets,” explained C.J. Dugan, vice president of business development at Maxim Defense, which has developed its own personal defense weapon designs. “The old way was, if you were doing ‘low vis’ close target reconnaissance or protection, you really only had an MP5 [9x19 mm Parabellum], which is hard to deal with these days because of parts. The only other answers you had were a pistol or a Mk18 [M4A1 (5.56x45 mm NATO) with a Close Quarters Battle Receiver variant with 10.3-inch barrel]. So trying to deal with a weapon system that would give you the right combination of distance and accuracy, and then trying to maneuver in a civilian vehicle with either only a pistol or ‘a 10.3,’ which you then had to keep out of sight, and then deal with and try to react to something, you kind of had limited expectations.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaldefensemagazine.org ...
There are some interesting new rounds recently. Has anyone tried any of them?
How to supply them on the battlefield?
This is cool stuff for what we are facing now. But they need to bear in mind in a real war multiple calibers can become a logistical nightmare, trying to get the right ammo to the right soldiers.
Does anyone know why it is hard to get parts for a MP5? I thought H&K were still making them.
Sounds like some cool stuff...
I recall hearing that the German government was raining Hell down on its arms manufacturers, especially for exporting. That was a year ago, I think. It would make sense that those hubs wouldn’t be operating now, and were probably scaling back operations at the behest of government.
I wanna say that I read it on Deutsche Welle, but I don’t remember. My memory is crap.
Thank you. That would explain it.
I haven’t tried it but the new 6.5 PRC is superior to the Creedmore. It got into the game a little late to replace it though. But you never know, .222 mag replaced the popular .222 and then the .223 stepped on it.
The 5.56 is just designed to wound the enemy and the .308 is the real stopping round + longer range.
So the US military went from the great M1 Garand to the M-16 (5.56 round), the pistol went from the classic 1911 with the 45 Cal to the Beretta 9MM (again less stopping power)!
I keep thinking that the Top Brass is in love with mouse-clicking the enemy with small rounds and not killing & eliminating them.
At least the snipers are (still) allowed to reach out and kill the enemy at long distances.
Back in the early 70’s I was shooting a 6.5-284 in both bench-rest and silhouettes, only problem was limited bullets available. With the 6.5 craze going on there’s a much better selection of bullets. Recently re-barreld an old 300 Weatherby to a 6.5-300 Weatherby but I went to a 1-10 twist instead of the factory 1-8. Not shooting anything over 125 grains. It’s strictly for hunting West Texas and Mew Mexico, deer and antelope will be it’s largest critters.
Wildcat rounds are rounds where there is no mass production. They are experimental rounds that may or may not go into production. Hobbyists as well as manufacturers can cook up wildcat rounds.
My favorite started out as idea from old SOCOM guys years ago; .458 SOCOM. Love the thing. Have a 16 inch barrel carbine and 10.5 inch SBR. Have to shoot ammo designed for the SBR or it jams fast due to incomplete powder burn. I am not that good, but at 100 yards with the 16 inch barrel I cover a coffee cup saucer. Bullets weights range from 125gr up to 550gr. Not much that won’t stop!
One of my favorite former wildcat cartridges is the .257 Roberts.
The 458 SOCOM is a really interesting round. I have not fired one yet, but it is on my short list.
Rock River Arms, and get a good muzzle break. Mine doesn’t seem to kick all that much. But I am a big guy.
Freaking .308 M1A1 kicks more I think.
Try putting an archangel custom stock on your M1A and use a Schuster non adjustable gas plug in place of the stock gas plug. I shoot 175 gr Match Kings all day long with those mods to the M1A. The gas plug reduces recoil force to the operating rod by about 2000 lbs. Also felt recoil is reduced.
She did donate the old Doilies to the Target Range, when one of My Gun Buddies was allowed to make one..😷.
The Wounding of the Enemy is a way to take out Personnel by Wounding 1 brings 1 or 2 out from cover to administer to the Wounded now bringing 3 in the line of Fire.
As far as Ammo 9x19 will be easy to find, the .223 and 7.62 x 39 also. .45ACP May not be as easy to pickup.
I’m figuring that a 12GA x 3.5 Chamber will also eat 2.75”, 3.0” & 3.5”. Just don’t try go backwards on Chambers and Rounds.
Rifles may be a pick up or Ones favorite all ready but, IMO be prepared to pick up an AR or an AK so keep a few of .223 and 7.62 x 39 in your pockets.
Also consider how much Ammo weight you want to carry around and how far.
My ExMother-In-Law had a .257 Roberts. That’s what She used for Hunting Boombie. It had a very good feel to it, shot straight and true. I’m glad She liked My because Her daughter would have used it, luckily for Me we lived out of Town 45 minuets away.
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