I think the rimless 6.8 case makes more sense in a straight magazine. I am puzzled by the 6.8 diameter. I wondered if it might have been to avoid any legal stuff with the already SAAMI 6.5 Grendel.
my thought process was that existing 100 gr partition in 6.5 was better than any light 270 bullet (varmint mostly)
little thinner, little lighter for same SD, easier to make velocity on smaller powder column.
So easy now to buy a grendel barrel or rifle and dies and brass, compared to same for a wildcat 6.5SPC.
Mini Howa and be done with it, or one of many AR manufacturers.
my comments were related to the use of the cartridge for civilian purposes including plinking, target shooting and hunting.
Military needs trump all that, clearly. Hard to know if weapon systems could or should keep up with our culture as it changes. . Assume that culture within military does adapt to a) hardware they have and b) opponents tactics. If there is time.
Dan's point is well taken, procurement often reflects the needs/wants of the last conflict.
Maybe the length of the current war has allowed for appropriate adaptation.
