Israel to buy 7.62 NATO version of US Army's M250?

Slater

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Looks like Israel decided to pass on the expensive 6.8x51mm round and stick with the old-fashioned 7.62x51mm cartridge.

"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly acquired a version of the 6.8x51mm M250 light machine gun that Sig Sauer developed for the U.S. Army, but chambered to fire the NATO-standard 7.62x51mm round. Sig Sauer’s design may now be in line to supplant at least a portion of Israeli Negev light machine guns 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm, variations of which are current in IDF service."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/israel-buys-7-62x51mm-version-202443582.html
 
They probably have a lifetime of 7.62 NATO, why deal with the logistics of a new round?

Time will tell who made the better choice.
I predict the US will follow suit and just end up rechambering all new M250s and even the upcoming M7 rifles to 7.62 NATO, after realizing they never actually use the super high pressure extra armor piercing version of 6.8x51 which costs something like $12 per round. Then after 5 years of 7.62 NATO rifles they'll switch back to 5.56, either by rechambering/reengineering the M7 or adopting yet another AR-derived rifle that's chambered for 5.56 from the start.
 
"Twelve bucks a round?" Ye saints and little fishes.
What is it made of?
The Israelis choose wisely and well, because they are apt to use their equipment for real, and with little room for do-overs.
But they do a price/effectiveness analysis. An inherited quality. ;)
Moon
 
"Twelve bucks a round?" Ye saints and little fishes.
What is it made of?
It's a dual material case (needed to contain the pressure), and a multi-material round (for the--alleged--penetration at range).

The 6.8x51 is virtually identical to the 7.62x51 in every characteristic other than bore diameter.

And, they are still the XM250 and XM7, and only about 2500 are in the field with troops for evaluation.
 
Looks like Israel decided to pass on the expensive 6.8x51mm round and stick with the old-fashioned 7.62x51mm cartridge.

"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly acquired a version of the 6.8x51mm M250 light machine gun that Sig Sauer developed for the U.S. Army, but chambered to fire the NATO-standard 7.62x51mm round. Sig Sauer’s design may now be in line to supplant at least a portion of Israeli Negev light machine guns 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm, variations of which are current in IDF service."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/israel-buys-7-62x51mm-version-202443582.html
Can you honestly blame them? $13-$16 per round of the high pressure .277 Sig Fury vs $0.70 cents or so per round of 7.62x51mm.
 
Just a guess, but I imagine their ammo turnover - is quite high since they're using it daily - for keeps... I'll bet their own manufacturing ability is stretched to its limits currently. I'd be buying ammo, in great bulk wherever I could find reliable goods at decent cost... and I'd say they probably have more real world experience in that sector than most - anywhere in the world....
 
I wonder if our own military will expand the use of the 6.5 Creedmoor round beyond SOCOM’s use in their sniper systems? I think I read somewhere that the Navy has or is looking at it as well (?).
 
I wonder if our own military will expand the use of the 6.5 Creedmoor round beyond SOCOM’s use in their sniper systems? I think I read somewhere that the Navy has or is looking at it as well (?).
That's still within SOCOM apparently.
 
I wonder if our own military will expand the use of the 6.5 Creedmoor round beyond SOCOM’s use in their sniper systems? I think I read somewhere that the Navy has or is looking at it as well (?).
I seriously doubt it.

If this 6.8 works out, variations of it will be preferable to a new round in the supply system.

If 6.8 doesn't work out, then 6.5 CM does not offer sufficient improvement over 7.62 to justify adding a new round to the supply system.
 
I’m wondering why they are buying from us instead of staying with domestic manufacturers.
While it may well be that supply issues prompt the Israelis to buy good ammo where they can(as mentioned by lemaymiami), I do have to wonder if there isn't a quid pro quo. "The USA will help you with money and weapons, but we expect you to buy weapons from us when possible."
Moon
 
I seriously doubt it.

If this 6.8 works out, variations of it will be preferable to a new round in the supply system.

If 6.8 doesn't work out, then 6.5 CM does not offer sufficient improvement over 7.62 to justify adding a new round to the supply system.
Probably true. I was under the impression that the 6.5 Creedmoor carries superior ballistic capability out beyond 600-700 yards when compared to 7.62. If that were true, perhaps a broader application for sniping outside of SOCOM?
 
The Army awarded Barrett the Mk-22 MRAD contract. I'm sure they could adapt 6.5 CM for it, appears at this time, they don't.

ETA: That comes in at about 18K per rifle, with all the goodies!


I'm sure they still have plenty of M24's to go around, until they're phased out.

 
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The Army awarded Barrett the Mk-22 MRAD contract. I'm sure they could adapt 6.5 CM for it, appears at this time, they don't.

ETA: That comes in at about 18K per rifle, with all the goodies!


I'm sure they still have plenty of M24's to go around, until they're phased out.

I would suppose that the Army would have to specify a specific caliber ( in this case 6.5 CM ) , particularly if it was a change .
 
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