277 Fury - 6.8x51 - Has the military lost its mind?

Published on April 6, 2022
Duration: 15:37

This video from Military Arms Channel, hosted by Tim, critically examines the US Army's adoption of the 6.8x51mm (.277 Fury) cartridge and the SIG Sauer MCX-SPEAR rifle. Tim, a recognized subject matter expert, delves into the historical context of military small arms choices, comparing the new cartridge's ballistics and design to previous standards like 5.56x45mm NATO and alternatives like 6.8 SPC. He expresses skepticism regarding the high costs, potential for rapid barrel wear due to extreme pressures (80,000 PSI), and questions the overall necessity of this significant shift, drawing parallels to past procurement failures like the XM8 program.

Quick Summary

The .277 Fury (6.8x51mm) cartridge, adopted by the US Army for the SIG Spear rifle, offers superior ballistics with 2798 ft-lbs of energy and 3000 fps velocity using a 140gr bullet. However, its extreme 80,000 PSI chamber pressure necessitates a complex hybrid case design and raises concerns about cost and potential barrel wear.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the .277 Fury
  2. 00:21History of 5.56 NATO
  3. 01:33The Search for a 5.56 Replacement
  4. 03:35Barrett M468 and 6.8 SPC
  5. 07:44The SIG MCX-SPEAR and .277 Fury
  6. 09:28Hybrid Case Technology
  7. 11:13Cost and Practicality Concerns
  8. 14:13Conclusion and Historical Context

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the .277 Fury cartridge and why is the US Army adopting it?

The .277 Fury, also known as 6.8x51mm, is a new cartridge developed by SIG Sauer for the US Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program. It's designed for increased range, accuracy, and terminal ballistics compared to the legacy 5.56x45mm NATO round, aiming to address shortcomings in recent conflicts.

How does the .277 Fury compare to 5.56 NATO and 6.8 SPC?

The .277 Fury boasts higher muzzle energy (2798 ft-lbs) and velocity (3000 fps) with a 140gr bullet than 5.56 NATO (1251 ft-lbs, 3200 fps with 55gr) and 6.8 SPC (1694 ft-lbs, 2550 fps with 115gr). However, it operates at extreme pressures (80,000 PSI), requiring specialized hybrid case technology.

What are the main concerns raised about the .277 Fury and SIG Spear adoption?

Concerns include the high initial cost of the SIG Spear rifle ($10,000 MSRP), the potential for rapid barrel wear due to extreme pressures, the complexity and cost of hybrid ammunition, and skepticism about the necessity of such a radical departure from established systems.

What is the significance of the hybrid case design for the .277 Fury?

The hybrid case, combining a steel base with a brass body, is crucial for safely containing the immense 80,000 PSI chamber pressure generated by the .277 Fury cartridge. This design allows for higher performance but introduces manufacturing complexity and potential durability questions.

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