6.5 Creedmoor

US Special Operations Command’s quest for new armor-piercing sniper round

Eager to satisfy the Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) appetite for technological innovation and improved efficiency, researchers are developing a new armor-piercing sniper round.

During the National Defense Industries Association Armaments Symposium (NDIAAS), researchers with the Crane Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NAVSEA) had the opportunity to present their ideas and show the progress they’ve made on the development of these armor-piercing sniper rounds.

Their primary concerns have to do with the projectile’s cost, effect on rifle barrels, and uniformity. What they have come up with is the Aeroshell projectile. The Aeroshell uses a tungsten penetrator—similar to those used by armor-piercing projectiles like anti-tank missiles—jacketed in a polymer shell casing as opposed to the more traditional copper jacket.

NAVSEA researchers are planning to manufacture approximately 150 Aeroshell armor-piercing rounds in the following three calibers: .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and 6.5 Creedmoor. To gauge effectiveness, they will test the rounds against personal body armor at different ranges (100, 400, 800, and 1,000 meters).

The purpose of the round, according to one of the presentation slides used during the briefing, is to “provide snipers and advanced marksmen with the capability of shooting low-cost armor-piercing projectiles that will safely pass through suppressors, muzzle-brakes, and flash-hiders. [It will] greatly reduce sniper-barrel wear [and] provide all war-fighters with new ammunition that will extend barrel life and be environmentally friendly.”

Although the last point must have certainly raised some eyebrows—combat operations are probably one of the more harmful things to the environment—the statement of purpose anticipates the improved personal protection capabilities that troops of potential adversaries, such as China and Russia, may have. Hitherto, snipers have resorted to using the Barrett M107 .50 BMG sniper rifle to ensure armor-piercing results. But the M107 is an anti-material rifle and its use against anti-personnel targets is somewhat overkill.

Recently, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing won a five-year contract to produce the Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) for SOCOM. The award is worth approximately $50 million and is expected to be fulfilled by March 2023.

The ASR is a modular, bolt-action sniper rifle that can be outfitted with a number of different barrels, thereby adjusting its caliber according to the situation. It has an effective range of at least 1,500 meters and can be chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, .300 Norma Magnum, or .338 Norma Magnum calibers.

NAVSEA Crane is one of the 10 command locations of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC). Alongside its sister locations, NAVSEA Crane is responsible for assessing capability gaps in the U.S. military and coming up with technological solutions.

This article was written by Stavros Atlamazoglou at NEWSREP

Feature image: (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Jason Johnston/Released)

Is 6.5 Creedmoor Really Better Than .308?

If anyone tries to tell you that the old battle horse known as .308 Winchester (alternatively, 7.62×51 NATO) is washed up, you’ll know right away they’re either drinking the kool-aid or are drastically ill-informed as to hunting and war history. The effectiveness of the .308 has been shown for many decades in deserts, rice paddies and forests around the world.

That’s not to say that the venerable old cartridge doesn’t leave room for improvement. During all those decades where the .308 smote ruin upon scores of mammals (two-legged and four), ammunition experts have been perfecting their craft with more modern powders, bullet design and fluid dynamics computations. The US Army’s Special Operations Command has started switching over most Spec Ops sniper rifles to 6.5 Creedmoor, citing improved ballistic performance at long range and doubling the hit probability at 1000 yards.

In the below video, Joel Wise of the Precision Rifle Network and YouTube channel TFB TV illustrates the differences in ballistic trajectory by comparing two very similar rifles, one chambered in .308 and one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Check it out!

Rex Nanorum

@Rexnanorum

First look at the CMMG Endeavour 300 6.5 Creedmoor

First look at the CMMG Endeavour 300 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor

Winter is breaking and soon we’ll be back into the long shooting season. In anticipation of clear skies and light winds, CMMG has sent out their Endeavour 300 MK3 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The recent rebranding of the company’s rifle lines has the rifle’s line-up and series denoting the intended role/function of the rifle. For example, the Endeavor line are the long range rifles. Within the Endeavour, the 100 series has a shorter, lighter barrel than the 300 series, which sports not only a longer barrel, but a precision rifle stock (among other upgrades). Clearly, the 100 would be better suited for most hunting applications, while the 300 would likely dominate at a long range precision shooting match.

While I’m going to need some serious range time to wring this rifle out, here’s my quick take on it.

Rex Nanorum

@Rexnanorum

Axelson Tactical Hurricane Rifle: Graham Baates VIDEO

Axelson Tactical and Hurricane Group, and Cabela’s have teamed up to raise money for hurricane relief. We gave you a tabletop look of this rifle here. this rifle is truly a piece of art. Aesthetically and physically the rifle was built with purpose. It is truly a dream build.

6.5mm Creedmoor is not a round that I typically shoot. Fortunately the cause brought support from Nosler, Freedom Munitions, and Prime Ammunition. Between those three juggernauts we had a variety of loads to try in the rifle. Nosler donated enough to get a feel for the rifle and Nikon X1000 sighted in. Freedom Munitions and Prime Ammunition provided different loads to give us a balanced test.

If you’re not much of the reading type here’s a collage of awesomeness.

The rifle can certainly out-shoot us. We did our best with each load, testing for mode accuracy. If you’re not familiar with this method the intent is to find the common, or mode, of the grouping. Two shooters each fire five shots of each load for a total of ten shots per load. This helps make the outliers and “flyers” more apparent and show the real, expected accuracy. Take a look in the video below to see how the rifle did and also hear two different opinions on the shooting experience.

For more information about Axelson Tactical check out their website here. Stay tuned for more information about this rifle and its cause. I have to return this rifle, but am already eating ramen noodles to save for the raffle!

Grey Ghost Precision Team Shooter JP Sullivan, Secures Top Placement at 3rd Annual, Task Force Dagger 3Gun Championship

June 12, 2018 – Grey Ghost Precision is proud to announce team shooter, JP Sullivan’s fourth place finish, out of 154 competitors, at the 3rd Annual Task Force Dagger 3Gun Championship, held June 8-10, in Clinton, SC.

Sullivan, who competes in 3 Gun, USPSA, and Precision Rifle matches, has won numerous local matches and placed in the Top 10 at multiple major matches across the country using modified GGP Light 5.56 rifles.

Currently serving as an Army Captain on Active Duty with 3 deployments to Afghanistan and other overseas Assignments, Sullivan chooses to run the Grey Ghost Precision Light (5.56), with an 18″ barrel for his rifle during the competitions.

The 2018 Task Force Dagger Foundation 3Gun Championship is an entertaining three-day military-style, physically and mentally challenging event. The match features 8 stages, and 18 Squads with 15 competitors per squad. The stages are designed to present dynamic shooting challenges, as well each stage designed to individually memorialize a US SOCOM service member or a significant combat operation.

“The skill level of the competitors was no doubt the deepest talent pool I have seen at the match,” stated Sullivan. “The first and second place finishers are both multi-time national champions and damn near unstoppable so it was a battle for third, and I’m honored to have been among that group of finishers.”

Sullivan is one of several active duty, Special Operations Military members the team at Grey Ghost entrusts their firearms with, to provide honest and real feedback.

“My rifle is by far my best of the 3 guns I have. I also compete with the GGP Grim (6.5 Creedmoor), which doesn’t require any modifications due to it being so awesome out of the gate and ready for competition,” stated Sullivan. “Needless to say, the team at GGP is one that I trust completely.”

With a number of prototypes in the hands of trusted industry partners and professionals, from Special Forces teams and instructors, Law Enforcement, competition shooters and hardcore hunters, Grey Ghost isn’t one of those companies who asks for help and then decide they’re going to do it their way anyway. The team takes every ounce of feedback, in conjunction with design and engineering, and the product you see come out of the box will be the result of legitimate evaluations and honest opinion.

“We make it a point to remain relevant to our customers by being in constant contact with them,” stated Jason Curns, Vice President of GGP. “Feedback is the most important aspect in design and manufacturing – and we realize how imperative it is to humble ourselves to know that. We are incredibly end-user focused; and with several of our products currently being deployed with teams in combat, our focus on the feedback from those who put themselves into harms way is the most imperative.”

“Having JP as part of the Grey Ghost team is not only an honor, but is a truly imperative ingredient to how we as a company operate,” stated Casey Ingles, CEO of GGP. “Without professionals such as JP, we wouldn’t be able to produce the products we do, and be able to provide those who use them, the confidence to know they will operate when needed.”

*Photo courtesy of Red Stitch Targets

SIG SAUER Introduces 6.5 Creedmoor SIG HT Hunting Ammunition

SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to add a 6.5 Creedmoor round to its line of SIG HT™ premium-grade, copper hunting ammunition. Like all SIG HT Elite Performance Ammunition offerings, the 6.5 Creedmoor features an all-copper bullet that delivers deep penetration and consistent 1.8x diameter expansion. The 120gr 6.5 Creedmoor bullet has a muzzle velocity of 2,825 fps with muzzle energy of 2,126 ft-lbs, making it an excellent load for medium-sized game such as deer and antelope.

“The 6.5 Creedmoor is one of the hottest loads on the market and is increasingly popular with hunters due to its high ballistic coefficient which allows it to push through wind with less drag, delivering a flat trajectory and minimal recoil,” said Bud Fini, Executive Vice President of the SIG SAUER Ammunition Division and Special Projects. “In addition to the SIG HT hunting round, SIG SAUER also offers a 6.5 Creedmoor Match Grade OTM load featuring a140gr Sierra MatchKing^® bullet.”

SIG HT premium-grade, copper hunting ammunition is now available in five calibers: 300BLK, 223 Rem, 308 Win, 300 Win Mag and 6.5 Creedmoor.

SIG HT cartridges are made with premium nickel-plated shell cases, and flash-reduced propellant is used to minimize visible signature while shooting in low-light situations. Premium quality primers are also used to minimize variations in velocity.

The SIG HT ammunition is produced on state-of-the-art loading equipment with electromechanical monitoring for charge weight consistency and geometric conformity. All SIG SAUER Elite Performance Ammunition is manufactured by SIG SAUER at its new ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas to the same exacting standards as the company’s premium pistols and rifles. For more information, visit www.sigsauer.com/ammunition.

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About SIG SAUER, Inc.

SIG SAUER, Inc. is The Complete Systems Provider^™, leading the industry in American innovation, ingenuity, and manufacturing. SIG SAUER^® brings a dedication to superior quality, ultimate reliability, and unmatched performance that has made it the brand of choice among responsible citizens, and many of the world’s most elite military, government, and law enforcement units. SIG SAUER offers a full array of products to meet any mission parameter, from handguns and rifles to ammunition, electro-optics, suppressors, ASP (Advanced Sport Pellet) airguns and accessories. The largest member of a worldwide business group of firearms manufacturers that includes SIG SAUER GmbH & Co. KG in Germany and Swiss Arms AG in Switzerland, SIG SAUER is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified company with more than 1700 employees. For more information on SIG SAUER, any of its products, or the SIG SAUER Academy^®, log on to www.sigsauer.com