6.8mm

25 Nov 07

6.8X43SPC

In the late 1940s, the British Military started experimenting with an " intermediate rifle/MG cartridge," which ultimately became known as the 280British. This project was a direct result of their keen interest in the high-capacity, autoloading (gas-piston) German MP44 rifle and its 7.92X33Kurz cartridge (" Kurz" translates to "short").

The MP44 ("MP" stands for Maschinenpistole) came along too late in the War to have a major impact, but it represented a critical departure from conventional military rifles, with its light weight, reduced length, pistol grip, and large-capacity, box magazine, and it was, of course, an autoloader. Employed mostly on the Eastern Front (which is why it largely escaped American and British notice), the MP44 acquired a excellent reputation and was highly regarded by Germans and Russians alike.

The MP44 was actually developed in secrecy, as Hitler himself had already nixed the project. Development and even deployment went forward regardless, with Hitler deliberately kept in the dark and only finding out about it well after the fact. Indeed, when Hitler briefed troops returning from the Eastern Front, he asked them what they needed. With a single voice, they all told him what was needed most was more copies of the "new rifle!" Hitler, of course, didn't know what they were talking about, but, as the truth gradually came out, he was happy to belatedly take personal credit for the project!

After the War, the 280British cartridge worked well in tests, but it never saw the light of day, as Americans insisted on the 308 cartridge (slightly shortened from the 30-06) becoming the standard, and all of NATO dutifully went along. Meanwhile, Kalashnikov in Russia was designing his new rifle around the 7.62X30 (30Soviet) cartridge. The 30Soviet has since earned the reputation of the most widely used "intermediate cartridge"in history!

John Garand himself, as he was designing what would ultimately become the vaunted M1 Rifle, also considered an "intermediate" cartridge, as a short cartridge will work in a rifle with a short bolt-throw. The whole rifle can be relatively short and light! However, Doug MacArthur would have none of it! Doug insisted that the M1 be chambered for the standard of the time, the American 30-06 cartridge. The M1 was ultimately produced in that caliber,and thus claimed the title of the biggest, heaviest, and most powerful infantry weapon ever issued, before of since!

None the less, as the War progressed, the Americans developed a two-level system, probably by accident. M1 Garands could not be produced fast enough as the War rapidly ramped up. So, the M1 Carbine, chambered for the " intermediate" 30M1 cartridge filled the gap. M1 Carbines could be produced much faster than M1 Garands, and, owing to their compactness and light weight, they were originally designed for rear-area defense and vehicle crews. Of course, the distinction quickly blurred, and they ended up serving everywhere.

After the dust settled, Garands (M1s and M-14s), FALs, G3s, and others, all now chambered for 308, continued to serve around the Free World well after the end of the War.

During the 1960s, General Curtis LeMay persuaded his friend, Robert MacNamara, then Secretary of Defense in the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, that infantry rifles and machine guns needed to be shortened and lightened for the new style of war that was on the horizon. That meant less-powerful calibers, which meant less range and penetration (the two characteristics upon which MacArthur had always insisted). MacNamara, and his team of whiz-kids (none of whom had ever fired a shot in anger in their pampered lives) thus became convinced that the 308 cartridge needed to be abandoned for a shorter, less powerful one. The American standard became the 5.56X45 (223), and has been ever since. The 5.56X45 is at the extreme low end of the "intermediate cartridge " spectrum. It is a 150m cartridge with poor penetration.

Between the late 1960s and now, blatant deficiencies associated with the 5.56X45, particularly inadequate range and woefully inadequate penetration,have become widely acknowledged throughout the military community, and the push is currently on to:

(1) return to the 308 and the M-14 system, or

(2) move on to a more satisfactory "intermediate cartridge."

There are plenty of "intermediate cartridges" to choose from, and many have been around for a long time! The 6.5X50 Japanese Arisaka, 6.5X52 Carcano, 6.5X55 Swedish, 30Soviet, to name few. All these cartridges are still currently produced and can be found in any large gunshop.

However, the one currently getting all the attention is the relatively new 6.8X43SPC ("Special Purpose Cartridge). The 6.8mm (26.7 caliber) shows every sign of representing an ideal compromise. It still functions in short, light rifles, but range and penetration are significantly improved over the 223. It features a 115gr bullet at 2700 f/s, so it is a legitimate 300m rifle.

Barrett and Robinson Arms, weary of waiting on the Pentagon, have boldly stepped forward and produced military rifles in this new caliber. I have a copy of Robinson Arms XCR in 6.8mm, and I'll be testing it shortly. Cor-Bon is now making 6.8mm DPX rifle ammunition.

I can see a three-level system developing, with the 6.8mm being the " main-battle" rifle, the M-14 being relegated to long-distance, designated-marksman duties, and the 223 still being in the system for rear-area defense.

Whatever happens, we, as a nation and as a civilization, had better be preparing for the fight of our lives!

/John