AmmoLand – by John FarnamFt Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- I talked today with a friend who works in nuclear security at a major installation.
He is proposing to his superiors converting all existing ARs, currently chambered in 5.56×45 (223), to 7.62×35 (300 Blk) caliber.
It will involve swapping barrels only. Existing magazines will all work, as will existing bolts and bolt-carriers. The entire project can be accomplished quickly, and at modest cost, when compared with buying new rifles.
Selling points are significantly increased range and penetration. They’ll be using a new, 112gr copper/tungsten bullet, designed to easily penetrate car doors, car glass, cinder block, and most body armor, even that which is currently “rifle-rated!”
Penetration is efficacious, out to 300m!
Naturally, there is some institutional push-back from those up the food-chain who need additional convincing, but advantages over conventional 223 ammunition are so significant that I predict this “trend” (if that is the right word) will prove unstoppable!
This is all what the 6.8mmSPC was supposed to do, and probably would have! But, for whatever reasons, the 6.8mm never gained traction. The 6.8 currently has a small following in the civilian shooting community, but major institutional buyers, like the Pentagon and other big, federal consumers, never displayed much more than casual interest.
And, the 7.62×51 (308) still has a substantial following within the active services, and many secretly long for the return of the M14 in general-issue. However, that is not in the cards! The 308 will not make a major ” comeback,” absent an epochal philosophical shift at the highest levels. Right now, that is extremely unlikely!
By contrast, the 7.62×35 is rapidly “catching-on!”
Currently, I don’t have a rifle chambered for it, but I will soon!
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent and unlawful lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance, if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or inactions.
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Read more: http://www.ammoland.com/2014/02/300-aac-blackout-7-62×35/#ixzz2sgOsuR3e
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“Selling points are significantly increased range and penetration. They’ll be using a new, 112gr copper/tungsten bullet, designed to easily penetrate car doors, car glass, cinder block, and most body armor, even that which is currently “rifle-rated!”
Simply incorrect. .300AAC averages 2300fps, and isn’t going to be penetrating any class 3 or 4 plates at that velocity, even when made up of a tungsten/copper mix. Throw in a hardened steel penetrator core and maybe you have a chance getting through a class 3 plate. I will agree that it will probably has better “barrier blind” capabilities compared to a 5.56, but if that’s what they’re going for, a variety of ammunition already exists for that purpose.
With ballistics similar to the 7.62×39 round, I don’t expect the trajectory to be as flat as the 5.56 NATO either. The effective range may be comparable to the NATO standard caliber, but it’s in no way superior.
While this round may be popular with some hobbyists, LE, and MAYBE some quiet professionals out there, I wouldn’t bet any money that rank-and-file military or even nuke security are switching to this. Yeah, you heard from a guy that works at a place that’s PROPOSING to change over. And the answer will most likely be no. Cost and return is the bottom line, not the latest fad.
Frankly, I feel this article is nothing more than an attempt to pimp this caliber, based on bad information and hearsay.