ARmy Rumour SErvice

Good ideas, perhaps the basis for the next generation? Either way we are the odd ones out if we stick with the Lapua Magnum and everyone else goes to the Norma Magnum.
The larger calibre for vehicles could be a combination of calibres!

The Norma Magnum seems to share the design philosophy with the 6.5 Grendel when compared to the in-service rounds they are compared to; namely shortening the case to fit a high L/D bullet, thus achieving a high sectional density and thereby high energy retention at range.

The real question to ask is why GD isn't smart enough to be able to design an MG for the Lapua round. Ding, light goes on, patent, get a royalty from every round produced. Are royalties paid on every 7.62 or .50 round produced?

Originally Posted by Petardier

The real question to ask is why GD isn't smart enough to be able to design an MG for the Lapua round. Ding, light goes on, patent, get a royalty from every round produced. Are royalties paid on every 7.62 or .50 round produced?

No the news release was quite clear, its not a new round although its newer than the Lapua offering its just shorter over all length in that particular 300 grain loading;
"The .338 Norma Magnum's performance is very similar to that of the much more popular .338 Lapua Magnum. The .338 NM has a slight advantage in that when loaded with a .300 grain Sierra HPBT MatchKing projectile, its overall length is shorter than the .338 LM loaded with the same bullet. This is why General Dynamics would have chosen this round over the more popular .338 LM."
338 loadings have been around since the 1950s and possibly earlier but its the Lapua which has massively helped the popularity of the .33 bullets over this side of the pond.
The use of these larger bullets is nothing new, in fact it was pretty much in vogue until the advent of decent smokeless propellants just before the first world war. In fact in 1906 the .35 Whelen was released, Winchester introduced the .338 Winchester Magnum in 1959. So magnum loadings have been around for a long time and no royalties are at stake here.
The point behind a shorter oal is to keep the weight down to something close to the GPMG which allows its introduction to be less of an issue than a completely new weapon system!
In fact externally they look similar, the internals arent radically different but the trigger group is vastly improved. I would thing that this in an sf mode, vehicle mount or in a sangar in an fob would greatly add to the firepower.
Carrying it isnt any greater burden than already, the ammunition though is an altogether different matter!

Defense Review - GDATP .338 NM LWMMG (.338 Norma Magnum Lightweight Medium Machine Gun) for Overmatch Capability: Potential Game-Changer for Mobile Infantry from General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (Range Video!)

I wonder where they get their ideas from?

Best weapons / optimum calibres

Originally Posted by EX_STAB

I wonder where they get their ideas from?

Best weapons / optimum calibres

Damn thats more consultancy fees missed out on!

Originally Posted by ugly

Damn thats more consultancy fees missed out on!

That's all going to change very shortly! ;)