U.S. Special Forces Testing in NOW - Badlands Munitions SHELL SHOCK

[Sniffer]

In general the higher the velocity the better - but 223 bore is much smaller so barrel will burn faster, like 22-250.

The case can handle it, but what is the pressure curve and also the effect on bolt velocity gas system and barrel wear, down to the life expectency of various springs and small pins ? There is no data on the durability and reliability of the rifle, - so at this point people are beta-testing the ammo using their own firearms.

In general, shoving something faster into something that is designed for something slower is not as straight forwards.

All things being equal the higher pressures have to increase wear - no question.

Things like bolt lugs and barrel throats will see the extra wear (unavoidable) but couldn't everything after the gas system be tapered back to normal reasonable levels with an adjustable gas system?

Heavier buffers / BCGs / stronger springs etc would surely help too.

Interesting development for a cartridge that is possibly one of the most universal out there but looked like it was starting to fall out of flavour of late for the newer fancier offerings (which themselves had pros and cons - everything is a compromise to some degree).

 

[AB3006]

Its an interesting technology but to apply it to the obsolete 5.56 NATO is a waste of money. This is better applied to a brand new gun and a cartridge that can take advantage of the added pressure. Also, I am pretty sure you can do this in a one-piece casing, no need to complicate things with a two-piece construction.

Forming a 1-piece case out of SS isn't trivial. Working compound curvature into SS while retaining it's chemical and mechanical properties is an art/science/black magic onto itself. Then, there is the whole machining to dimension side - brass is super easy to machine and all of the tooling is already set up in any number of factories.

My other concern would be the mechanical wear and tear on the gun (increased recoil for springs n'things) and the fact that you have a case mader of a much harder material impinging on the bolt face and ejector. Less of a problem in a manually cycle gun, but in a "fun gun"? This would definitely have an effect.

 

[rugbydave]

This ammo has been in use stateside for a while now, I have a few friends who run it. Guys also reload the cases. I know the 77gr stuff goes 2900+ out of 18" barrels (same speed I get in a 26" bolt gun). I haven't heard about shorter barrel life although I'd expect it (no free lunch) but in a cartridge where you can get close to 10k rounds out of a barrel to begin with (.223) it's not a huge issue, imo. I can't recall the .308 speeds but they're up there. They're also testing 6.5 Creed which would be really cool, especially in shorter barrelled rigs.

 

[870P]

Yikes.