6.5 MPC--Viable Alternative?

[ChestyP]

MK 262 was developed by NWS Crane for the Navy...

I've not heard of it being issued to Marines, although I suppose it could happen.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Mabee we should have not stopped issuing recoiless rifles. Alot lighter than an M2 and more versitile than a SMAW.

Well, the Carl Gustav went from being a Ranger specific weapons system to a SOCOM specific one post 9/11. Assuming the usual outflow of kit and ideas to the conventional side of the house, I'd guess the 82nd Airborne will be getting them in 2-3 years. Great weapon in any case.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I've not heard of it being issued to Marines, although I suppose it could happen.

There's a decent amount of internet buzz about the Marines using Mk 262, but I've not seen any hard confirmation on this (might be out there somewhere). I'm sort of skeptical on the idea for a couple reasons, first because procurement is still fairly limited within SOCOM, so I have a hard time seeing the USMC jumping to the head of the line (possibly USMC designated marksmen are using it? I could see some sort of limited use like that), and second Mk 262 delivers better terminal ballistics at the expense of barrier penetration (not exactly 5.56mm's strong suit to begin with) -- seriously into the realm of "no free lunch" and not something that I would think would be appropriate for general issue to troops who may be engaging enemy personnel who prefer the suicide car bomber as a heavy weapon system.

 

[constructor]

So what ever happened to this 6.5MPC??????????

 

[SHvar]

In plain english, anyone who says the 5.56 does not do a good job, as good or better, round for round fired as the 7.62x39 in stopping the enemy has never seen combat with either.
I have never heard or or met a single professional soldier, infantry, SF, etc who has ever complained about the 5.56 stopping power.
Also Im sorry but years ago I shot all matter of objects with .223 and 5.56 with both making as much destruction to cinderblocks, bricks, chunks of concrete, and yes punching holes clean through any car or truck i shot them at.
I felled trees in a few shots, in fact faster than a friend with his AK using my old mini 14 and .223 ammo.
If your gonna make claims about the rifle round stopping power you must be accurate. There is very very little negligable difference in the individual rounds 5.56 and 7.62x39 when it comes to stopping power.
There is very little difference between the actual impact and stopping power of either round and the 6.8.
Being a combat vet and former light infantryman at that, I have direct experience with the 5.56 and its effectiveness, not hearsay or second/thirdhand hearsay.

 

[Big_E]

6.5 MPC is a good idea IMO. I don't think the argument should be about the 5.56's killing potential, but its ability to penetrate cover (cinder blocks, car doors, etc...)

Hell, I figure if the ol' .22 was necked up to 6mm it would be better than what we have now for shooting at enemies behind cover. I don't see a switch happening for a long time (until they solve the caseless ammo issue or come out with laser rifles!) Oh, and ballistic coefficient as well.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Not being very well schooled on the issue, just off the cuff, it does seem much more viable as a possible switch-to for the .mil, with similar ballistics and yet much cost savings in the mags & bolts, not to mention the SAW belts. The military likes cost savings and ease of transition. But as with the other two, seems to me a quarter-bore or 6mm would be even better as the sweet spot.

 

[Maverick223]

As I understand things, the 6.5 Grendel is not supposed to be a replacement chambering for all M16-platform rifles but as a potential candidate for a DMR chambering using specially accurized rifles.

And for that it should do admirably, for service weapons stick with the 5.56. I think the 6.5G has much more potential than the 6.5MPC due to the greater powder capacity = velocity.

seems to me a quarter-bore or 6mm would be even better as the sweet spot.

I think you are right, the 6mm would seemingly be ideal for the 5.56 case.

 

[gvnwst]

seems to me a quarter-bore or 6mm would be even better as the sweet spot.

I think you are right, the 6mm would seemingly be ideal for the 5.56 case.

I give you the 6x42, Nolo did this a while ago:


With a 95gr SMK, drop just under what the 6.5g has, and it can be used like the 6.5 MPC, all the same stuff taht the 5.56 uses. Has better ballistics than the 6x45, because it can seat longer (higher BC) bullets.

 

[BusMaster007]

Yes, I'm scaring the thread back to life.

Something made me think of this cartridge and the fact that the only change besides the ammo was the barrel...
So, WHY the HECK doesn't it get more press or support for what it is?

Everything else that gets GUN-RAG front-page color doesn't seem to come close to the practical and monetary wisdom of the 6.5 MPC.

I'd like to know.
Of course, I don't 'need to know', so maybe there's some other mysterious, civilian, conspiracy theory as to why something that makes perfect sense isn't being done.
There's an oxymoron in there somewhere...