SCAR Goes To War

Two years after completing field testing, the new American assault rifle, SCAR, has been issued to a battalion of U.S. Army Rangers, who are headed for Afghanistan. SCAR (Special operations forces Combat Assault Rifle) was a SOCOM (Special Operations Command) effort to develop a new assault rifle that had some of the characteristics of the (now abandoned) U.S. Army XM-8 rifle. SOCOM had the money, and authority to develop their own weapons. And SCAR is mainly for use by SOCOM troops.

SOCOM wanted a weapon that did everything the XM-8 did, and a little more. Back in 2003, SOCOM asked rifle manufacturers to submit proposals, and FN (a Belgian firm) came up with the best ideas. One advantage FN has was its ability to quickly implement requests for design changes. FN’s rapid prototyping shop was often able to turn out a new part in hours. This, and FNs long history of good weapons design, gave them the edge. SCAR has a more reliable short-stroke, gas piston operating system, and a floating barrel for better accuracy, plus several other improvements over the current M-4/M-16.

There are two basic models of the weapon. The 5.56mm SCAR-L weighs 7.7 pounds (empty), while the 7.62mm SCAR-H weighs 8.5 pounds (empty). A 30 round 5.56mm magazine weighs a little under a pound, while a 20 round magazine of 7.62mm ammo weighs a little over a pound. Special sights can weigh a pound or two, so a fully loaded SCAR won't weigh much more than ten pounds. FN also came up with a grenade launcher for SCAR.

Both models operate the same way, and have many interchangeable parts. SCAR-L is basically a replacement for the M4, which was designed (with a shorter barrel) as a “close combat” version of the M16. The SCAR-H will replace the M14, a 1950s era 7.62mm weapon (a replacement for the World War II M1) that is still favored for long range and sniper work. The SCAR design is the result of much feedback from the field. For example, the rate of fire was lowered to 600 RPM (rounds per minute) from the 800 typical with the M14 and M16. This makes SCAR easier to hold on target when firing full auto.

SCAR-H can be quickly converted to fire AK-47 ammo (the 7.62x39 round) with a change out of the barrel and receiver. Both models can be fitted with a longer and heavier sniper barrel. Thus this ability to quickly change the barrel length enables the SOCOM to equip their troops with the specific weapon they need. SCAR is also built to be more rugged than the M-16. The barrel is good for some 36,000 rounds, twice as many as the M-16. Barrels may be switched by users without special tools. Both models of SCAR take all the special sights and other accessories SOCOM troops favor. SCAR is meant to be easily modified and personalized for each user. It’s expected that SOCOM experience with SCAR will influence the next generation of U.S. Army and Marine Corps small arms.

Anyway I soldiered with a Colt model and found it perfectly adequate. plastic is fine as long as you aren’t planning on using the vertical buttstroke feature.

Same way here, put quite a few rounds through the XM16, utilized most versions through the M-4 with few problems... although out of all the weapons I've operated with, the M-14 would be the "One", and with all that wood (or heavy high impact plastics), the "buttstroke" is highly effective... ;-)

What you may call equal is not really so. On average the 30-06 beats the 308 by 150-200fps in most scenarios. That extra fps takes far more punch to get it out of the barrel. For a 10% increase in velocity it probably takes 25 pct more power. Cartridge Information

Index Number	Cartridge Type	(grs.)	Bullet Style	Primer No.	Coefficient
PG30064	Remington® Premier Green®	180	Lapua Naturalis	9 1/2	0.302
PRC3006C	Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180	Core-Lokt® Ultra Bonded	9 1/2	0.402
PRC308WC	Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180	Core-Lokt® Ultra Bonded	9 1/2	0.402
PG308W3	Remington® Premier Green®	180	Lapua Naturalis	9 1/2 M	0.302
R30069	Remington® Express®	55	Pointed Soft Point	9 1/2	0.197
Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type	Bullet	Muzzle	100	200	300	400	500
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	2665	2337	2108	1856	1626	1422
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	2700	2480	2270	2070	1882	1704
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	2620	2404	2198	2002	1818	1644
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	2620	2335	2068	1820	1594	1394
Remington® Express®	55 PSP	4080	3484	2964	2499	2080	1706
Energy (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type	Bullet	Muzzle	100	200	300	400	500
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	2838	2258	1775	1377	1057	808
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	2913	2457	2059	1713	1415	1161
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	2743	2309	1930	1601	1320	1080
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	2743	2179	1709	1324	1015	777
Remington® Express®	55 PSP	2033	1482	1073	763	528	355
Short-Range Trajectory
Cartridge Type	Bullet	50	100	150	200	250	300
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	1.3	1.4	zero	-3.2	-8.3	-15.6
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	0.0	zero	-1.3	-4.2	-8.7	-15.1
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	0.0	zero	-1.4	-4.5	-9.4	-16.3
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	1.4	1.5	zero	-3.3	-8.6	-16.2
Remington® Express®	55 PSP	0.0	0.2	zero	-1.0	-3.0	-6.2
Long-Range Trajectory
Cartridge Type	Bullet	100	150	200	250	300	400	500
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	3	2.4	zero	-4.3	-10.9	-31.9	-66.2
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	2.1	1.8	zero	-3.5	-8.9	-25.8	-52.7
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra	180 CLUB	2.3	2.0	zero	-3.8	-9.5	-26.4	-56.4
Remington® Premier Green®	180 LP	3.1	2.5	zero	-4.5	-11.3	-33.2	-68.8
Remington® Express®	55 PSP	1.4	1.8	1.4	zero	-2.6	-12.2	-30.0

The 5.56mm SCAR-L weighs 7.7 pounds (empty), while the 7.62mm SCAR-H weighs 8.5 pounds (empty). A 30 round 5.56mm magazine weighs a little under a pound, while a 20 round magazine of 7.62mm ammo weighs a little over a pound. Special sights can weigh a pound or two, so a fully loaded SCAR won't weigh much more than ten pounds.

My Eagle Arms AR carbine weighs 6.8 pounds (empty), almost a full pound lighter than the L, and my IMBEL/DSA FAL carbine comes in at 9.0 pounds (empty), only about a half pound heavier than the H. Funny that they couldn't make 'em lighter...

What you may call equal is not really so. On average the 30-06 beats the 308 by 150-200fps in most scenarios.

I believe he was referring to the original military loadings (for comparable bullet weights):

.30-06, 150gr FMJ, Ball M2, 2740 fps MV
7.62x51 NATO, 150gr FMJ-BT, Ball M80, 2750 fps MV

Only 10 fps difference - according to my old copy of 'Cartridges of the World,' at least...

;>)

Yea, but you have to clean out the crud in the receiver. Buy the wrong ammo and you have a real mess.

A little "crud in the receiver" might slow down an AR, but doesn't much bother an FAL. "Ol' Dirty" digested at least 15,000 rounds of 7.62 NATO without being cleaned (and with an occasional toss into the swamp to cool her down ;>), and was still functioning. Here are some sites that have photos of "the crud in the receiver:"

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68486&s=d54143a6b85c9b21b7487dde0fcbcc95

http://ronocracy.blogspot.com/2007/02/ol-dirty-texas-legend.html

http://lukesbunker.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html

;>)

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