View Full Version : FN's 6.5mm Mk 48 Mod 2 machine gun
This caliber seems to be broadening it's horizons:
"The prototype FN MK 48 Mod 2 6.5CM features the latest upgrades for FN’s series of light and medium machine guns, including an adjustable stock for length of pull and cheek height; improved, locking charging handle; improved, double-notched sear; improved handguard with 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions with improved bipod; and, more robust feed tray latch, ensuring the feed tray cover locks into place during reloads. Once development is complete, existing MK 48 Mod 1 models can be configured at the armorer level to the Mod 2 variant or newest caliber with the addition of the upgrade kit and barrel conversion."
https://fnamerica.com/press-releases/fn-to-unveil-prototype-6-5-caliber-mk-48-mod-2-machine-gun-at-2019-sofic-conference/
I wonder what % barrel life will be reduced by in typical use.
FromMyColdDeadHand
05-20-19, 16:50
What bullet is going to be standard for non-precision roles like this?
WickedWillis
05-20-19, 17:32
FN just keeps coming out with more badass stuff.
Coal Dragger
05-20-19, 17:47
Probably some sort of 130-142gr FMJ would be my guess.
Looks like an interesting effort to stretch the effective range of the medium MG with minimal changes for organizations already fielding the platform.
Be interesting to see reports of actual performance in beaten zones, hit probability, and other machine gun specific performance when the gun is employed on the tripod with a T&E mechanism.
So what niche does this fill? Mk 46 or SAW replacement?
I don't get this.
I'm with you.... without getting my ballistics sliderule out, 7.62 carries more energy at useful ranges. (Say 800 yards or so) 6.5cm doesn't have an advantage until after that and pretty much useless once it goes subsonic around what, 1400 yards depending on the projo and mv at barrel?
Don't get me wrong, I am all over the 6.5cm in a precision rifle and have one. Just not sure about it being better at the MG range.
I'm with you.... without getting my ballistics sliderule out, 7.62 carries more energy at useful ranges. (Say 800 yards or so) 6.5cm doesn't have an advantage until after that and pretty much useless once it goes subsonic around what, 1400 yards depending on the projo and mv at barrel?
Don't get me wrong, I am all over the 6.5cm in a precision rifle and have one. Just not sure about it being better at the MG range.
Exactamundo. 6.5 grab ass just tickles the steel gongs when we shoot it. In a non-precision/machine gun burst, I'd take M-80 ball all day long for actual delivery of the "goods".
*opens bottle of Bai coconut water siiiiip
Earth belongs to the young, you old fogies! EARTH BELONGS TO THE YOUNG!
*takes a nip of Elijah Craig barrel proof @ 135.2 proof neat in a glencairn and says* I might be old, but I'm tough and I just might still know a little something about whoopass.
I wonder what % barrel life will be reduced by in typical use.
Zero to statistically insignificant
FromMyColdDeadHand
05-20-19, 18:49
Why do I feel like the next time we need machine guns in a serious way, shmack down at short range will be the new mojo and we'll be looking at 338 based 308 based rounds...
6.5 so you have commonality with the long-range face shooters? I thought 308 based ARs were to heavy and lost out to 556ARs- or does the range increase of 6.5CM over 308 (and 556) make it worthwhile?
This is an excellent idea. I hope they move this into SOF soon.
So what niche does this fill? Mk 46 or SAW replacement?
MK48 replacement, as you said in your title... the 249 and MK46 both fire 5.56. While they could replace those with this, why would they replace the light variant instead of the heavy/.308?
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I don't see how the 6.5 will improve matters in this role. It damn sure should not replace there 556 SAW. So many rounds, so little time.
PB
A 6.5 MK 48 would not replace the SAW or any other 5.56 platform. It would serve a purpose in SOF. That is it. It would most likely not go into the Conventional forces ..... unless SOF wants the money for other stuff and get them to pay for it. That is a funding thing in the Army.
Coal Dragger
05-20-19, 19:35
Exactamundo. 6.5 grab ass just tickles the steel gongs when we shoot it. In a non-precision/machine gun burst, I'd take M-80 ball all day long for actual delivery of the "goods".
M80 Ball isn’t doing anything a 140gr 6.5mm pill at similar velocity won’t also do, and the sectional density of the 6.5mm will probably net better penetration.
If the lower recoil means it’s easier to keep bursts on target, and the more forgiving ballistics of the 6.5 help the soldier running the gun get better practical accuracy then hooray.
FYI we are looking to "close the range gap" with slightly larger calibers.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/12/10/more-than-a-rifle-how-a-new-68mm-round-advanced-optics-will-make-soldiers-marines-a-lot-deadlier/
MorphCross
05-21-19, 19:12
Pin the enemy at an extended distance to either (a) maneuver in close or (b) rain Hellfire upon them with an over-watching Predator.
M80 Ball isn’t doing anything a 140gr 6.5mm pill at similar velocity won’t also do, and the sectional density of the 6.5mm will probably net better penetration.
Penetration of what? People? Barriers?
6.5 is noticeably anemic compared to .308 between 500 and 1300 yards in my experience.
FromMyColdDeadHand
05-22-19, 15:46
Penetration of what? People? Barriers?
6.5 is noticeably anemic compared to .308 between 500 and 1300 yards in my experience.
Scooby says "Armghhhhh?"
https://www.primaryarms.com/blog/6_5-creedmoor-vs-308-winchester-caliber-battle
Coal Dragger
05-22-19, 16:52
Penetration of what? People? Barriers?
6.5 is noticeably anemic compared to .308 between 500 and 1300 yards in my experience.
Your anecdotal experience doing what exactly? Making steel targets make noise? Putting holes in paper? Are you conducting penetration testing at range?
While I enjoy shooting steel targets as well, I am under no illusions that it has any bearing on terminal ballistics data. The math pretty clearly indicates that beyond 400M the 6.5 Creedmoor is carrying more energy, shooting flatter, and drifting less in the wind; all due to higher retained velocity. I know you're a .308 fan, and have invested time and money into the cartridge, but for the most part the 6.5 Creedmoor is the better mousetrap past 400M.
Anecdotally I have a good friend who has been hunting with a 6.5 Creedmoor for a few years now, and has been quite happy with how the cartridge performs on critters up to elk, he's lucky enough to get get land owner tags so he shoots one or two elk every year. These 500lb - 700lb 4 legged animals evidently die pretty quickly when being zapped with 6.5mm projectiles, leading me to believe that using the same diameter bullet on a bipedal 200lb ape will also probably work.
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