Intermediate Cartridge Data
Intermediate Cartridge Data
Although the images are rather crude, they hopefully illustrate some illuminating features about each of the cartridges.
Accuracy of 5.56mm [1][2], Accuracy of 5.56mm Mk. 262 [1], Accuracy of 6.8mm Remington [1], Accuracy of 6.5mm Grendel [1][2], Accuracy of 7.62mm x 39mm [1][2], accuracy of .300 Black-out, Accuracy of 5.45mm [1], Accuracy of 7.62mm x 51mm NATO [2]
*Tests with the 6.5mm Grendel showed sub 1-MOA with nearly every cartridge, and an average of about .5. The lowest was .3 MOA, out of a 1500 dollar AR-15.
**The limits listed are at about the average or maximum for poor accuracy. Conservative to estimates, some are more or less close to what their figures would be in real life, out of ordinary firearms. While the Ak-47 can easily achieve 3 MOA for instance, many weapons are nearly 50 years old with plenty of wear and tear, which puts their accuracy closer to 4-6 MOA. These are largely for new weapons with standard ammunition. Weapon's with worn barrels, as the Ak's tend to be, will naturally have lower accuracy. The ak-47 is also roughly 100 dollars worldwide, despite the M16 being at least 1,000. Thus the difference in value varies; a comparative Ak-47 to a comparative M16 is thus where the accuracy lies. Weapons are meant to be equals to some degree.
5.56mm BC (G7 .151) - [1][2]
5.56mm Mk. 262 BC (G7 .181) - [1][2]
7.62mm x 39mm (G1 .266) - [1][2]
5.45mm x 39mm 7N10* (G1 .351) - [1][2]
7.62mm x 51mm NATO (G7 .200) - [1][2]
7.62mm x 51mm 175 Gr - [Hornady][2]
.300 Black-out - [1][2]
6.5mm Grendel - [Hornady][2]
6.8mm Remington - [Hornady][2]
Although not exactly perfect, I used this calculator to find large chunks of this information or, fill in the blanks. Because it matched up closely with military records on the rounds and some additional data I found, I found it's a pretty good rough guide line for determining what information I did lack, such as between 600 and 1200 yards for the 6.5mm Grendel. While specifics vary with the cartridge in mind, this is the rough capabilities of the military or practical cartridge that would be used. The figures for each round are energy, velocity and bullet drop, respectively. Bullet drop was sighted in at 100 yards.
Sources: Hornady BC chart and rough Guide, 5.56mm x 45mm NATO Chart (U.S. Army Ballistic Labratory), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO and other Charts, Stuff
The lethal range of each cartridge varies considerably, irregardless of energy. Mass and inertia has the single biggest impact on what gives a weapon it's range. Not only does it generally mean higher energy due to less energy losses over range due to higher momentum, but it also means that the cartridge is less velocity dependent, and thus can do more damage. While a cartridge that is too heavy has a shorter range, in general sniper rounds are heavier, such as the Mk. 262 or 175 grain 7.62mm, are 5 gram and 11.3 grams respectively, compared to 4 grams and 9.7 grams for the standard military rounds which are 25% and 16.5% heavier. According to the U.S. military, the maximum lethal range of the 5.56mm is 900 yards, compared to 1500 for the 7.62mm x 39mm. Thus, energy, bullet mass, and other factors cannot, by themselves, provide all the details needed. But it can provide a relatively rough guide; with the same sized bullet, the 6.5mm Grendel for instance has more energy than the 7.62mm at the same ranges, thus suggesting that it's lethality must be just as high. You can see that the .308 has double or tripple, and thus is that much more powerful and so on. From here we can find a very rough idea of how good a cartridge is. While working out smaller details is more difficult, obvious differences, such as double or triple the energy, gives us clear insight in to which is the superior cartridge (at least in terms of stopping power or lethality).
1,000 joules is roughly equal to a .357 magnum, which is known for stopping power. While a very rough guide, the maximum 1,000 (or so) joule range for each cartridge is 5.56mm (250 yards), 5.56mm Mk. 262 (300 yards), 6.8mm Remington (450 yards), 6.5mm Grendel (650 yards), .300 Black-out (250 yards), 7.62mm x 39mm (250 yards), 5.45mm x 39mm (175 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO M80 (650 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO 175 grain (800 yards). As you can see, this fairly roughly correlates to the cartridges effective range. While the maximum range is much further than this, it is a decent guide line for determining stopping power. In some cases, the round will closely mimic the ballistics of a .357 in terms of velocity and weight at these ranges, being nearly the same weight as the same velocity, albeit with a smaller bullet better suited for penetration. At 500 joules, we would be at pistol caliber levels, or 9mm, .45, .40 S&W etc. 5.56mm (550 yards), 5.56mm Mk. 262 (675 yards), 6.8mm Remington (800 yards), 6.5mm Grendel (1200 yards), .300 Black-out (600 yards), 7.62mm x 39mm (525 yards), 5.45mm x 39mm (550 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO M80 (1100 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO 175 grain (1500 yards). As you can see, this also closely correlates to the maximum effective range.
Conclusions
Although based on more than this data and purely speculative, it is my opinion that the 6.5mm grendel is likely the best intermediate cartridge for use in the military. Like the .300 black-out, .25-45 sharp, or 6.8mm Remington, it can easily replace the 5.56mm without significant modification to the base rifle (a barrel, bolt and spring change), and would be easy to apply in mass production. The weight of each cartridge is not much higher than either the 5.56mm, .300 black-out or other rounds, and is only about 30% greater than the 5.56mm. It is comparatively light and short compared to the .308 or 7.62mm x 51mm NATO, and yet at 600 yards and beyond it actually performs it in terms of energy and armor penetration. This makes it comparable to the .308 in long term ballistics, but makes the recoil significantly less, due to the lower muzzle velocity. It is still 45% more energetic than the 5.56mm, and has roughly the same energy at 300 yards than the 5.56mm has at the muzzle. It's incredibly high ballistic coefficient and aerodynamic efficiency, combined with it's raw power, gives it superior ballistics to the 5.56mm, without sacrificing the small package of the weapon, significantly increasing the weight of the ammunition, or dramatically impacting the felt recoil of the user. While it is heavier and possess slightly greater recoil, it still is likely within range that of what an ordinary person can handle. Furthermore, it's accuracy is sub 1-MOA even with incredibly cheap ammunition, giving it perhaps the best accuracy of any mass produced, non-match grade bullet on the market, despite being usable in a 5.56mm type weapon.
If used in the Tavor, M4 carbine, FN SCAR, HK416 or other similar weapon, it is sure to dramatically improve performance, without sacrificing the advantages of intermediate cartridges, such as light weight and low recoil. It's incredibly long range and accuracy for it's power allows it to compete with larger rounds, such as the 7.62mm x 51mm NATO, without increasing the recoil. Because the power of the round is more than sufficient at taking down most human-like targets at close range, and it's power is equal to or greater than more powerful cartridges at longer range, it generally would be more than sufficient to compete with both the 5.56mm and .308 in combat without sacrificing the advantages of etheir. While other cartridges can do the same, such as the 6.8mm remington, the 6.5mm grendel due to it's incredible range and accuracy, is likely the best option.
Although the images are rather crude, they hopefully illustrate some illuminating features about each of the cartridges.
Accuracy of 5.56mm [1][2], Accuracy of 5.56mm Mk. 262 [1], Accuracy of 6.8mm Remington [1], Accuracy of 6.5mm Grendel [1][2], Accuracy of 7.62mm x 39mm [1][2], accuracy of .300 Black-out, Accuracy of 5.45mm [1], Accuracy of 7.62mm x 51mm NATO [2]
*Tests with the 6.5mm Grendel showed sub 1-MOA with nearly every cartridge, and an average of about .5. The lowest was .3 MOA, out of a 1500 dollar AR-15.
**The limits listed are at about the average or maximum for poor accuracy. Conservative to estimates, some are more or less close to what their figures would be in real life, out of ordinary firearms. While the Ak-47 can easily achieve 3 MOA for instance, many weapons are nearly 50 years old with plenty of wear and tear, which puts their accuracy closer to 4-6 MOA. These are largely for new weapons with standard ammunition. Weapon's with worn barrels, as the Ak's tend to be, will naturally have lower accuracy. The ak-47 is also roughly 100 dollars worldwide, despite the M16 being at least 1,000. Thus the difference in value varies; a comparative Ak-47 to a comparative M16 is thus where the accuracy lies. Weapons are meant to be equals to some degree.
5.56mm BC (G7 .151) - [1][2]
5.56mm Mk. 262 BC (G7 .181) - [1][2]
7.62mm x 39mm (G1 .266) - [1][2]
5.45mm x 39mm 7N10* (G1 .351) - [1][2]
7.62mm x 51mm NATO (G7 .200) - [1][2]
7.62mm x 51mm 175 Gr - [Hornady][2]
.300 Black-out - [1][2]
6.5mm Grendel - [Hornady][2]
6.8mm Remington - [Hornady][2]
Although not exactly perfect, I used this calculator to find large chunks of this information or, fill in the blanks. Because it matched up closely with military records on the rounds and some additional data I found, I found it's a pretty good rough guide line for determining what information I did lack, such as between 600 and 1200 yards for the 6.5mm Grendel. While specifics vary with the cartridge in mind, this is the rough capabilities of the military or practical cartridge that would be used. The figures for each round are energy, velocity and bullet drop, respectively. Bullet drop was sighted in at 100 yards.
Sources: Hornady BC chart and rough Guide, 5.56mm x 45mm NATO Chart (U.S. Army Ballistic Labratory), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO and other Charts, Stuff
The lethal range of each cartridge varies considerably, irregardless of energy. Mass and inertia has the single biggest impact on what gives a weapon it's range. Not only does it generally mean higher energy due to less energy losses over range due to higher momentum, but it also means that the cartridge is less velocity dependent, and thus can do more damage. While a cartridge that is too heavy has a shorter range, in general sniper rounds are heavier, such as the Mk. 262 or 175 grain 7.62mm, are 5 gram and 11.3 grams respectively, compared to 4 grams and 9.7 grams for the standard military rounds which are 25% and 16.5% heavier. According to the U.S. military, the maximum lethal range of the 5.56mm is 900 yards, compared to 1500 for the 7.62mm x 39mm. Thus, energy, bullet mass, and other factors cannot, by themselves, provide all the details needed. But it can provide a relatively rough guide; with the same sized bullet, the 6.5mm Grendel for instance has more energy than the 7.62mm at the same ranges, thus suggesting that it's lethality must be just as high. You can see that the .308 has double or tripple, and thus is that much more powerful and so on. From here we can find a very rough idea of how good a cartridge is. While working out smaller details is more difficult, obvious differences, such as double or triple the energy, gives us clear insight in to which is the superior cartridge (at least in terms of stopping power or lethality).
1,000 joules is roughly equal to a .357 magnum, which is known for stopping power. While a very rough guide, the maximum 1,000 (or so) joule range for each cartridge is 5.56mm (250 yards), 5.56mm Mk. 262 (300 yards), 6.8mm Remington (450 yards), 6.5mm Grendel (650 yards), .300 Black-out (250 yards), 7.62mm x 39mm (250 yards), 5.45mm x 39mm (175 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO M80 (650 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO 175 grain (800 yards). As you can see, this fairly roughly correlates to the cartridges effective range. While the maximum range is much further than this, it is a decent guide line for determining stopping power. In some cases, the round will closely mimic the ballistics of a .357 in terms of velocity and weight at these ranges, being nearly the same weight as the same velocity, albeit with a smaller bullet better suited for penetration. At 500 joules, we would be at pistol caliber levels, or 9mm, .45, .40 S&W etc. 5.56mm (550 yards), 5.56mm Mk. 262 (675 yards), 6.8mm Remington (800 yards), 6.5mm Grendel (1200 yards), .300 Black-out (600 yards), 7.62mm x 39mm (525 yards), 5.45mm x 39mm (550 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO M80 (1100 yards), 7.62mm x 51mm NATO 175 grain (1500 yards). As you can see, this also closely correlates to the maximum effective range.
Conclusions
Although based on more than this data and purely speculative, it is my opinion that the 6.5mm grendel is likely the best intermediate cartridge for use in the military. Like the .300 black-out, .25-45 sharp, or 6.8mm Remington, it can easily replace the 5.56mm without significant modification to the base rifle (a barrel, bolt and spring change), and would be easy to apply in mass production. The weight of each cartridge is not much higher than either the 5.56mm, .300 black-out or other rounds, and is only about 30% greater than the 5.56mm. It is comparatively light and short compared to the .308 or 7.62mm x 51mm NATO, and yet at 600 yards and beyond it actually performs it in terms of energy and armor penetration. This makes it comparable to the .308 in long term ballistics, but makes the recoil significantly less, due to the lower muzzle velocity. It is still 45% more energetic than the 5.56mm, and has roughly the same energy at 300 yards than the 5.56mm has at the muzzle. It's incredibly high ballistic coefficient and aerodynamic efficiency, combined with it's raw power, gives it superior ballistics to the 5.56mm, without sacrificing the small package of the weapon, significantly increasing the weight of the ammunition, or dramatically impacting the felt recoil of the user. While it is heavier and possess slightly greater recoil, it still is likely within range that of what an ordinary person can handle. Furthermore, it's accuracy is sub 1-MOA even with incredibly cheap ammunition, giving it perhaps the best accuracy of any mass produced, non-match grade bullet on the market, despite being usable in a 5.56mm type weapon.
If used in the Tavor, M4 carbine, FN SCAR, HK416 or other similar weapon, it is sure to dramatically improve performance, without sacrificing the advantages of intermediate cartridges, such as light weight and low recoil. It's incredibly long range and accuracy for it's power allows it to compete with larger rounds, such as the 7.62mm x 51mm NATO, without increasing the recoil. Because the power of the round is more than sufficient at taking down most human-like targets at close range, and it's power is equal to or greater than more powerful cartridges at longer range, it generally would be more than sufficient to compete with both the 5.56mm and .308 in combat without sacrificing the advantages of etheir. While other cartridges can do the same, such as the 6.8mm remington, the 6.5mm grendel due to it's incredible range and accuracy, is likely the best option.
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