Posted on 08/07/2003 10:52:17 AM PDT by Long Cut
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: no data
Barrel length: no data
Weight: 2.67 kg empty
Rate of fire: no data
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (STANAG)
The development of the XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle was initiated by US Army in the 2002, when contract was issued to the Alliant Techsystems Co of USA to study possibilities of development of kinetic energy part of the XM29 OICW weapon into separate lightweight assault rifle, which could, in the case of success, replace the aging M16A2 rifles and M4A1 carbines in US military service. According to the present plans, the XM8 should enter full production circa 2005, if not earlier, several years before the XM-29 OICW. The XM8 (M8 after its official adoption) should become a standard next generation US forces assault rifle. It will fire all standard 5.56mm NATO ammunition, and, to further decrease the load on the future infantrymen, a new type of 5.56mm ammunition is now being developed. This new ammunition will have composite cases, with brass bases and polymer walls, which will reduce weight of the complete ammunition, while maintaining compatibility with all 5.56mm NATO weapons. Along with 20% weight reduction in the XM8 (compared to the current issue M4A1 carbine), this will be a welcome move for any infantryman, already overloaded by protective, communications and other battle equipment.
The XM8 will be quite similar to the "KE" (kinetic energy) part of the XM-29 OICW system, being different mostly in having a telescoped plastic buttstock of adjustable length, and a detachable carrying handle with the Picatinny rail.
Technical description. The XM8 is a derivative of the Heckler-Koch G36 assault rifle, and thus it is almost similar to that rifle in design and functioning. The key differences are the NATO-standard magazine housing that will accept M16-type magazines, the set of Picatinny rails on the forend, telescoped buttstock of adjustable length and a different scope, mounted on the Picatinny rail, built into the detachable carrying handle.
While the "Colonel" (actually retired LTC, but I digress) is clearly an expert rifleman, his eyesight is probably not what it may have been.
I'd like to see a super he-man like David Tubb or Jerry Miculek try it with an appropriate blaster.
1MOA, 1 Second per shot, at 1000yds, sustained for 20rds.
Yikes.
No apology required, just making sure you'd seen the content on the other thread.
What changes could have been done to the brake to make it too effective? It just looks larger than the standard model.
I can say without a doubt that I am positively the least experienced person who contributes to this thread.
Why do I read the shooting threads?
I hope the knowledge gained from them will never be needed on American soil, but you never know. Men such as yourself, archy, Sam Cree, Travis McGee, Squantos, Eaker, PoorMuttly, Long Cut, Shooter 2.5, 45Auto, river rat, the list goes on and on, are literally encyclopedias of information that I am proud to say help educate the ignorant, such as myself.
And....
Perfect weather conditions - during the barrel warm up and Zero in prior to the challenge.
And...
NO change in light, wind, mirage, barometric pressure or humidity for the entire period..
And... Projectiles and powder that do not foul the barrel or change the geometry or drag within the barrel.
And...
Rounds that have been loaded equal to the task...to compensate for the increasing temperature of the barrel and loaded in correct order in the magazine...
And..
An observer to track the impact points and advise the shooter to change his sight picture, if required.
And...
A shooter that does not breath for the entire 20 seconds.
No time to exhale, hold, squeeze in this challenge.
And....
I'm sure I left out several other critical conditions that need to be controlled...
Plus...
A lot of luck....
But I agree....some day, with some gear -it will be done..
No doubt about it..
However ----- I would be SHOCKED to hear that the Corps is using optics on the range... Even at 1000 yards..
Snipers are the only kids that should be using optics..
Semper Fi
If they are ever to regain their freedom, they are going to have to take it from those that are in power..
Those that currently hold power in Iran, will not be removed by elections...
A rock will secure a knife...
A knife will secure a pistol..
A pistol will secure a rifle..
A rifle etc........
Those that hold weapons in ANY society...should be thought of as only holding them until YOU need them...and take them for yourself..
Knowing and having worked with many dozens of Iranians here in California and elsewhere --- I remain confident that one day - the Iranian military will stand with the rebellion and against the lunatic fanatics..
The Iranian people are unique in their area....and it is not just because they are not Arabs.... They are freedom lovers...not kool-aid drinkers.
Semper Fi
This is something I've never seen discussed. Care to explain further?
Neither have I !!!!
But any shooter attempting to accomplish the task, would want to eliminate as many variables that come into play as possible..
The rounds would have to be very precisely loaded, with carefully selected components.
The rounds may even have to be loaded differently to compensate for the barrel's diameter expanding from heat - and altering the projectile/barrel interface.
It this became necessary - then the rounds would have to be loaded in the magazine in correct order --- from warm barrel to hot barrel order..
20 large caliber, high velocity rounds, fired in 20 seconds will REALLY heat up a barrel..
Heat will expand the I.D. of the barrel, and this will effect the "launch" path of the projectile.
I'm a fair to meddling hand loader - but I'll bet there are folks in this forum that could come up with a lot more considerations that would have to be taken into account to achieve the task....
The science, art and discipline of VERY precise shooting - is mind boggling when you hear the care, steps and EXPENSE that some old farts go through...
Semper Fi
LOL - I'm just an ordinary American who enjoys shooting. I'd like to think that I would be a good patriot if the times demanded it. But I've paid respects at the graves of a few giants, though. And I've been lucky enough to talk to a few more. That's all. On a thread like this, ideas are just as powerful as skills. The ideas are crackling with freedom. Like you, I'm just happy to read and learn. I still haven't made it through the whole thread, it's too long now!
"The science, art and discipline of VERY precise shooting - is mind boggling when you hear the care, steps and EXPENSE that some old farts go through..."
These are the men who come out with the fantastic ideas that get expanded on by the small manufacturers world-wide.
Posted on 02/17/2004 3:07:41 PM EST by John Jorsett
The U.S. Army is happy with the initial field testing of it's new M-8 (or XM-8) Assault Rifle. One of the major design features of the M-8 that makes it superior to the M-16 is the way it handles propellant gasses. The M-16 has these gasses going into the receiver, depositing layers of crud from propellant that did not completely burn. The M-8 keeps the propellant gasses out of the receiver and this reduces the cleaning time by about 70 percent. The troops appreciate this. More importantly, the reduced amount of crud in the receiver greatly increases reliability (far fewer rounds getting stuck.) In fact, the M-8 is designed to fire 15,000 rounds without cleaning or lubrication, even in a dirty (like a desert) environment. Troops are not allowed to let their weapons go like that, but this degree of reliability makes it less likely that rifles won't jam in a sandstorm or after getting dropped in the mud. The M-8 barrel and receiver is also of more sturdy construction, making it less likely that the user will get injured if there's something in the barrel when a round is fired. This is not unusual in combat. All you have to do is accidentally jam the barrel into the dirt while hitting the ground or otherwise avoiding enemy fire, and then have to return fire. On an M-16, this can often cause the rifle to, well, blow up in your face. This unfortunate event is much less likely with the M-8.
The M-8 comes with a battery powered sight that includes a red-dot, close-combat capability, plus infrared laser aimer and laser illuminator with a backup etched reticule. The sights on the M-8, similar to those which have been showing up on M-16s over the past decade, make it much easier to hit something. The M-8 is better designed for "ease of use" and support troops who don't handle their weapons frequently will find that they can more easily hit something with an M-8. Tests, using people who have not handled a rifle frequently, have demonstrated this.
Because the attachment points for rail mounted devices are built into the M-8, the sight can be factory zeroed. The M-16, because it has rail mounting hardware mounted on it, requires frequent re-zeroing in the field. This is a feature very much appreciated by the troops. The attachment points allow additional sighting devices to be quickly added to the weapon. A new 40mm, single shot grenade launcher (the M320) will be available for the M-8 and can be quickly installed by troops, without special tools. The M-8 is designed for easy left or right handed operation.
Testing will increase, as more M-8s are available, and the plan is that by early 2007, the first of over a million M-8s will begin distribution to all troops in active and reserve army units. One thing that may slow this down is the army research on the use of a new caliber (6.8mm). The new bullet has shown to have better accuracy and stopping power. While troops would be carrying less ammo with the larger round (25 rounds in the current 30 round magazine), they would require fewer shots to take down enemy troops. American troops today are much better trained in the use of their rifles than they were four decades ago. Automatic fire is not often used, with accurate, individual shots being the norm. The M-8 rifle, and possibly a new caliber, are a reflection of that.
Thanks, John!
My pleasure. If I'd known this thread was running, I'd have noted the article here as well.
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