SOCOM Looks to Ditch 7.62 NATO For Better Long Range Performance

Bearing Arms ^ | 19 Apr, 2017 | Bob Owens

[TXnMA]

LOL!!! I had an uncle who was the family clown.When I was in my 20s, he said I needed a deer rifle -- and gave me a cut-down SMLE. It had all the front band with bayonet hardware removed, and the stock cut back to the second band, and shaved down to minimum. And it still had the original steel buttplate.

First time I shot it was from a bench rest on our club's range, with a cut-off utility pole set in the ground for a seat. It was a little low, so I couldn't really get a comfortable hold on the piece -- but, I shot it anyway.

I fired three rounds of .303 Norma hunting load-- and, for the first and only time in my life, recoil shock literally nauseated me!

I cleaned it and put it back in the safe -- until my teenage son wanted to shoot "the SMLE". (He since collects and shoots old military rifles and has held "Expert" ratings on almost any Army weapon that goes "Bang!" -- including TOW, Grenade, and Mortar.)

So -- I took him and couple of his buddies out to our place in the boonies and let them shoot my 11mm Mauser -- and "the SMLE". (Dumb move: the original paper-wrapped 11mm rounds are now worth more than the rifle...)

But, it was fun! I had them shoot the 11mm from a sitting position -- and, after the huge "BOOM!" and the monster cloud of black powder smoke cleared -- each of them wound up flat on his back, with the muzzle pointed skyward. (Leaning back to counter the weight of that big, long barrel shifted their C/G -- and the long, smooth "push" recoil -- got 'em...) '-)

~~~~~~~~~

Then, I let my "macho" son shoot the (<Jungle Carbine weight) SMLE.

After the first round, I could see the pain on his face and his eyes "watering"! When I said, "You were breathing. Next shot, use proper breath control", he replied,

"Nah, the other guys came out to shoot too -- let's let them have a turn!"

'-) We did; they did. (Each, a single round.) One actually dropped the piece after firing...

My son cleaned "the SMLE", and it went back in the safe.

It's been forty years since a round was fired in "the beast". My son will inherit it. Wonder who its next victim will be... '-)

~~~~~~~~~~

.303 Jungle Carbine? NO, Thanks!

[Squantos]

SOCOM is the simple answer to your question WD.... they want the gold standard firearm and caliber that fits the “ounces is pounds” concept, “NATO” compliant, “One Shot Kill” and “Terminal” at 1579 yards.

We had the saving grace to have multiple calibers and weapons in our Armory when we deployed. For example to Desert Shield / Storm. M82A1 Barrett , a Accurized M1A with a 10X Unertl USMC scope and a 1911A1. My choice for Desert .

In the Central / South American JTF-6 environment I selected a MP5SDA3 and a Sig P226, spray and prey mode in either dense undergrowth or urban casual to and from with some alphabet agency handlers.

Were I given the authority to consider logistics, lethality at multiple ranges, and load bearing weight for the average Mk 1 Mod 0 GI rifle it would be a .260 Rem 140gr . Yeah it’s a brethren of the 6.5 Creedmoor but .260 Rem is original, old school as a do it all caliber for rifle.

The part of this argument “we all love” is there is a real need for SOCOM to have a boutique menu of sorts for specific tools for the task at hand. They have that luxury due to clear and specific intelligence on the target, the location etcetera .

Each need is always going to be different, arm chair QB’s gonna bitch, but no explanation is possible for those that have not been there ....and no explanation is needed for those that have.

Short answer if we’re gonna change NATO Caliber.... .260 Rem. SOCOM answer .... any thing they want or need specific to they’re task at hand.

Stay Safe !

[MileHi]

There’s some good stuff posted in this thread.

[wardaddy]

They are sure similar performance aren’t they with a slight edge to the Rem

My cartridge knowledge is so 60s and 70s from growing up. It I go to deer camp and I see lots of newer brass

Is the creedmore originally .308 brass too?

[wardaddy]

I just read if you switch barrels they can both fire from .308 action

I know 7.62/51 and .308 are only different in that most .308 loads are more gas

So I guess with easy barrel exchange there’s a practical feature here

Am I wrong

[wastoute]

After shooting a 50 round match I had a bruise that covered my right shoulder. At least 8 by 12 inches. Took weeks to go away.

[Squantos]

I do that with my LaRue 7.62 PredatOBR. Swap from 7.62 - 260.

[Squantos]

Not sure as haven’t watched that caliber much. I do have the Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor on backorder ...... I assume the first wildcat was based on the 308 brass but “ass out of you an me” applies in assuming as we both know....:o)

[Squantos]

Yes Sir ..... hope you and the wife are doing well.

[PapaBear3625]

I like the 300 Win Mag and the 338 Lapua, but the article points out that an enemy sniper will recognize these rifles and could target our snipers.

Enemy snipers would still notice the sniper scope on the US rifle. Perhaps not from as far away as they would notice a rifle of much different shape than an M-4.

[MileHi]

Thanks. I think the worst is in the rear view mirror for her, not near done though.

Watch yer knot!

[smokingfrog]

Snipers aren’t supposed to be seen.

[Squantos]

Prayers up Bub ......