Oh man how the hell is the gun 7.7 pounds with a 13" bbl and such a short handguard?!

That's actually pretty freakishly heavy for something that size

That's a Howa I'd buy from Weatherby!

The chart shows "Ammunition = 4 g (62 gr) M855A1 FMJBT"

Which do the Japanese use - 62 gr M855A1 or 62 gr FMJBT?

stancrist said:

Which do the Japanese use

I have no idea. I'd be surprised but pleased though if they were using m855a1. 

roguetechie said:

Oh man how the hell is the gun 7.7 pounds with a 13" bbl and such a short handguard?!

That does seem a bit heavy; the 14.5" H&K 433 is 7.5lbs:

https://www.heckler-koch.com/en/products/military/assault-rifles/hk433/hk433/technical-data.html

I still want one. 

So it's only a bit heavy if Howa is weighing guns like many unscrupulous gun companies in the states and Europe weigh their guns (entirely naked and no empty mag etc) AND if that 3.5 kg weight figure isn't someone just rounding to the nearest half kilogram which people also apparently do sometimes.

Considering how thick the bbl profile looks under the handguard it's likely fairly close to right for the "as equipped weight" which may include empty mag the buis and potentially the rail covers and grip pod.

All the same though, it's a very good looking gun and I'd love to have one even if she is a little chunky.

gatnerd said:

I'd be surprised but pleased though if they were using m855a1.

Since they're doing a number of upgrades to their military, it is possible they did decide to use M855A1.

However, I agree with you.  More likely they are just continuing to use their version of M855/SS109 FMJ.

Since Heckler & Koch changed hands 18 months ago, it has been recapitalised while new management has returned the company to profitability. Emmerich will like the fact that the new owner is French and is interested in long-term performance more than short-term profits. Manufacturing is back on a proper footing. Investment in new manufacturing and R&D has taken lace. The Company is no longer in the news. All of which represents a turnaround of epic proportions that has restored the German Government's confidence. The hiatus over the Bundeswehr's new rifle contract has allowed further development work on the HK433 to take place. However, the Bundeswehr may still select the HK416 anyway. I hope the HK433 will be chosen. it is a superb piece of engineering with the best bits of the G3, G36 and HK416.  The Bundeswehr is wisely waiting to see in which direction the US Army goes before making a final decision. My money is on a less powerful version of the  SIG hybrid cartridge in 6.8 mm or 6.5 mm. 

Guardsman26 said:

My money is on a less powerful version of the  SIG hybrid cartridge in 6.8 mm or 6.5 mm.

Do you mean that the US Army will adopt a downloaded 6.8x51 SIG, or that Germany will?

I expect the USA to adopt a less powerful version of the SIG 6.8 x 51 mm and for Germany (and the UK) to follow. I understand that the US Army is already testing a 6.5 x 51 mm prototype in SIG guns.