Semi auto platforms, what we have and want

[constructor]

Bare with me, this rambles for a few. Jason Peterson called a few days ago, the subject turned to cartridges for silhouette. Last night I read though 14 pages of talk on "Steel Chickens" about knocking down rams at 500m. It seems they all think 7mm bullets are the best for knocking the rams down. The 7mm-08 may have too much recoil for most to bare for a full match. A 6.5x47 necked up to 7mm or a 7mmBRX seemed to be a logical conclusion, the same bullets can be driven within 100 fps of the 7mm with less powder and less recoil.
Out of this and thinking about what Murray is trying to accomplish with the 7 x46 I started thinking about civilian uses and the platforms we have. I believe as humans we want what we don't have and wanting a platform between a AR15 and AR10 is really crazy. AR15 parts are everywhere compared to others and they are tough to get sometimes. AR10 parts have been around for 40 years and they are near impossible to find. Look at the SCAR and ACR that have been out a few years...forget trying to find anything.
There are enough cartridges in the AR10 and AR15 platforms for civilians to find one that will do anything we want them to, we have plenty of mags, lowers and parts we already own. The 6.8 will take care of deer and hog sized game with ease and stepping up to a 7mm-08 or what ever may only increase effective range another 75 yards because of the expansion threshold of the bullets.
Say we have a 6.8 that fits in a AR15 and there was a 270-08 in the AR10 platform there would be roughly 200fps difference in performance, so we want to make an entirely new platform to split the difference for 100fps???
AR10s are getting lighter and more and more cartridges are being developed for the AR15. I think we have just about covered the bases for any performance level we could possibly want. There is even an overlap, the BR and BRX cartridges can be shot in the AR15 and AR10 platforms.
As far as military, Stan hit the mark when he said everyone switched from battle rifles to assault rifles and now they are talking about going back. Just my opinion they need to stick with the light assault rifle. The 6.8 case is about as large as it should go for weight and size to keep carrying capacity up. 20 -308s in a mag weighs twice as much as 27-6.8s in a mag. The performance of the 6.8 is much better than the 556. I think Murray and the rest of the guys that worked on the 6.8 designed the best combat cartridge on the first try. Develop a lighter GPMG or convert a SAW to 6.8 and everyone at the squad level is using the same cartridge.
Another military forum- http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mai...&gid=148562855

[Dude-Sweet]

I have AR's in 6.8....I want a Beretta ARX160 in 6.8...I want a lever gun in 6.8 with some Hornady 120gr (ftx) Lever Revolution ammo

I am happy with the 6.8 but I want more types of rifles chambered for it. Lol does that count?

[HillbillyStyle]

The 7mm has always been my favorite round for hunting and target shooting. the 7mm-08 is a good round but i like the magnums.

[DDriller]

I for one have more calibers than I need. I would still like a 6.5BRX or 7BRX. I also need .45acp, .40 S&W, and 9mm carbines.

[HillbillyStyle]

I for one have more calibers than I need. I would still like a 6.5BRX or 7BRX. I also need .45acp, .40 S&W, and 9mm carbines.

You have more than you need but you need more. I can relate.

[jasonpeterson]

I agree with you. Pretty funny them smashing all those bullets and such. If a person had that much time to be smashing/filing bullets - that person could be practicing. Well you get the picture. LOL

[constructor]

I agree with you. Pretty funny them smashing all those bullets and such. If a person had that much time to be smashing/filing bullets - that person could be practicing. Well you get the picture. LOL

If you really hit every ram, chicken, turkey, pig and what ever else there is and ring a ram then I could understand wanting a 7x47 and using 120gr or 140gr SSTs so the last ram falls and have a perfect score...IF

Maybe you should try the Hornady 140 SST in your 6.5x47 until you decide to go 7x47

[jasonpeterson]

If you really hit every ram, chicken, turkey, pig and what ever else there is and ring a ram then I could understand wanting a 7x47 and using 120gr or 140gr SSTs so the last ram falls and have a perfect score...IF

Maybe you should try the Hornady 140 SST in your 6.5x47 until you decide to go 7x47

Lol, I love the 6.5x47. I will shoot what ever is the most accurate bullet when I get my next rifle built. No way I'm going to 7mm for silhouette. I would go down to a smaller cartridge to pick up closer animals before I would go up to pick up the the small percentage of hit rams that don't fall. I have a good friend that shoots the 7x47 and it shoots very well. I just don't see any need. Just shoot them and knock them over. Easy game.

[WVHunter1s1k]

Have a safe trip 'H'!

[BradL45]

I have a 7mm TCU in an AR-15, 7mm selection is VERY thin for me, I use varmint bullets and get OK expansion in yotes. Now that I have a 6.8, I should pull my barrel and put it in the truck, if someone needs a good wack, that 7mm barrel will leave a mark(power under the hood).

My fingers are crossed when the Military changes up, they move to a system that allows a longer cartridge. Biggest fear, they keep it Military only. Hats off to Murray, and others tinkering, always more good things to come.