New US Army Caliber Is On The Way! How Will This Effect YOUR Ammo!

Published on October 9, 2023
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The US Army is transitioning to the 6.8mm caliber for its Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program, including the XM7 and XM250 rifles, under a contract with Sig Sauer. This shift, with initial 6.8mm shipments underway, will impact ammunition production at the Lake City Ammunition Plant. As military focus moves to 6.8mm, civilian availability and pricing of 5.56mm ammunition are expected to decrease due to reduced production.

Quick Summary

The US Army is transitioning to the 6.8mm caliber for its Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program, including the XM7 and XM250 rifles. This shift, with initial 6.8mm shipments underway, will impact ammunition production at the Lake City Ammunition Plant. As military focus moves to 6.8mm, civilian availability and pricing of 5.56mm ammunition are expected to decrease.

Chapters

  1. 00:09Lake City Ammunition Plant Overview
  2. 00:30Sig Sauer NGSW Contract & New Caliber
  3. 00:55Facility Upgrades and Production Diversion
  4. 01:12Transition to 6.8mm Ammunition
  5. 01:33Impact on Civilian 5.56mm Supply

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new caliber the US Army is adopting?

The US Army is adopting the 6.8mm caliber as part of its Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program. This new caliber will be used in the Sig Sauer XM7 rifle and XM250 automatic rifle.

How will the new 6.8mm caliber affect civilian ammo availability?

As the military prioritizes production of the 6.8mm round at facilities like Lake City Ammunition Plant, the output of legacy calibers such as 5.56mm is expected to decrease, potentially impacting civilian availability and increasing prices.

Which company is producing the new US Army rifles?

Sig Sauer has been contracted by the US Army to produce the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW), which include the XM7 rifle and XM250 automatic rifle, both utilizing the new 6.8mm caliber.

What is the role of the Lake City Ammunition Plant in this transition?

The Lake City Ammunition Plant, operated by Winchester, is the US military's primary small arms ammunition facility. It is undergoing expansion to increase production, including for the new 6.8mm caliber, while its 5.56mm output may be reduced.

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