“Re 5.56, why not just “Bite the bullet” and just go to the 6.5 Grendel or the 6.8 SPC?”
Too expensive! The 5.56 is just fine. Inexpensive, accurate, etc. The kinks have long since been worked out.
That said the .25 x 45mm by Sharps looks interesting. I may get an extra barrel/Upper and load some up. I wouldn’t hold my breath though.
“Another was a round where the extractor tore the rim and bottom off the case.”
Granted, that’s why they gave the management of Lake City Ammo plant to Federal Cartridge Co. Been smooth sailing since.
I didn’t move around much. As a Radio Relay Repair guy I got to sit atop hills with my parabolic antennas showing the way to my whereabouts. A good defensive posture was a necessity. I never lost any friends. Tiger Mountain ‘68.
re: 5.56
Tay Ninh province 1970. Sapper coming through the wire. Young soldier puts a 5.56 through and through into his side.
Sapper keeps coming.
Young soldier puts M-16 on Rock and Roll and most of rest of mag through same side.
Sapper keeps coming.
Sapper is about 20 meters away.
First Sergeant hits him center sternum with 40mm round. Round hasn’t traveled far enough to arm. No problem. Sapper didn’t even twitch much. DRT
My personal experience; the 5.56 round has little knock down or shock trauma value.
BTW, the 6.5 Grendel is so good that at 400 meters, it has more energy left than a 7.62 x 51 NATO round!
And that is from a weapon that fits the M-16 lowers, template and magazines.
Take a look at a 6.5 Grendel upper from Alexander Arms.
One more thing. The reason the 6.5mm round works so well is it’s “ballistic co-efficient.”
Bill Alexander at Alexander Arms can explain. He is a genius.