Probably trying to maintain compatibility with existing bolt/carrier groups.

[i]Edit to add:[/i]
Never mind. Just found I'm full of crap. The case diameter is larger so the bolt and probably the carrier have to be replaced.

Hopefully someone else has a better answer re: the rim dimensions.

Pretty interesting stuff.

Can anyone provide me with a high-resolution photo of the 6.8x43 in between a 5.56x45 and a 7.62x51? I'm looking for such a picture for a book I'm writing with Max Popenker on the history of the modern military rifle and its ammo.

Also, I would appreciate confirmation of the rim and body diameters, and whether it is derived from the old .25 Rem case.

Thanks for any help,

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition [URL=http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk]website[/URL] and discussion
[URL=http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/] forum[/URL]

Taken from the SSK website:
left:.30 Remington, middle: 6.8mmx43, right: 5.56mm
[img]http://www.sskindustries.com/atlantis/6.8_files/image002.jpg[/img]

6.8mm headstamp:
[img]http://www.sskindustries.com/images/Headstamp%206.8.jpg[/img]

Weight - 30 rnds 5.56 ~ 0.8 lb, 26 round 6.8 ~ 1 lb, 20 round 7.62 ~ 1 lb

The image above should show it, but the case is a mod of the Remington .30.

One of the other things you have to remeber about this round - it had to work in the CURRENT M4/M16 system (mag and all).  Hence why you end up with a x43 vice say a x45 or something a slight bit longer.  

Another issue - this is a SOCOM project, the DA (department of the Army) doesn't have a stake in this...the Army keeps on planning for the 5.56 (with 'great' #'s out of that 12" XM-8 barrel...I digress).  The 6.8x43 (as of now) doesn't have a big picture exposure (remember 5.56 isn't just our standard round anymore... its NATO's and then some).

Do I want this to happen big time? Heck yeah - heck if we can get IMI on board with the 6.8x43, we could let NATO hang with the 5.56 (and then ammo would be nice and cheap too).

I just hope that the civilian firearms market can keep the AR makers in the black after the DoD goes to something different (face it, its going to happen).  Unless we can get a civy SCAR-L/H ;-)

God, would this be a fun round to reload for.  I can't wait (but my wallet sure can)

[banana]