graylion said:

6.8x51 would appear to be the GPC (Congrats Tony!)

No, not even close.  Tony's GPC was significantly smaller and much lighter than 7.62 NATO.

_____ 5.56 NATO ________ 6.5 GREN ___________ 6.5 GPC ____________ 7.62 NATO _______________

6.8x51 SIG is the same size -- and nearly as heavy -- as 7.62x51 NATO.

graylion said:

Also 6.8x51 would appear to be the GPC (Congrats Tony!) And people on this forum seem to agree that 8.5mm in a machine gun is a solution in search of a problem. remind me why? 

I think that a 80,000psi 6.5 Grendel or 6mm ARC (using Sig Hybrid tech) would be closer to Tony's GPC.

From what I recall, the 8.5mm machine gun just does not add enough capability to worth the trouble.  The bullet is to0 small to carry enough HE for anti-material roles, so it can't really replace the 50 BMG.

gatnerd said:

Most reports I've seen have the MG3 set to a more sedate 850-900rpm (for example, Austrias MG3.)

They are MG 74 and different to the MG 3

gatnerd said:

Was that the case in Germany, or did they retain the higher RPM bolts?

No, its the lighter bolt. The Bundeswehr MG 3 cycles at 1200 rpm.

graylion said:

LMGs are getting lighter anyway ...

Not really. The ones that are significantly lighter usually compromise capability, become flimsy or are made from (very) expensive materials.

graylion said:

So what about 8.5x63 for MMG with recoil moderating mechanism?

For an MMG the recoil absorbtion can be put into the mount. If one is required since the mount absorbs the recoil and vibration. If it is properly designed.

schnuersi said:

graylion said: LMGs are getting lighter anyway ... Not really. The ones that are significantly lighter usually compromise capability, become flimsy or are made from (very) expensive materials.

Like the FN Evolys?

https://fnherstal.com/en/defence/portable-weapons/fn-evolys-762/

schnuersi said:

The Bundeswehr MG 3 cycles at 1200 rpm.

Awesome. Are they still in production?

nincomp said:

From what I recall, the 8.5mm machine gun just does not add enough capability to worth the trouble.  The bullet is to0 small to carry enough HE for anti-material roles, so it can't really replace the 50 BMG.

How often does .50 HE get used?

graylion said:

How often does .50 HE get used?

Despite various tests in WW2, the US never did adopt a .50 HE bullet. However, the current "business load" seems to be the MK 211, a version of the Nammo multipurpose (SAPHEI).

gatnerd said:

Are they still in production?

That is the problem.
They are but not in Germany. As far as I know Turkey and Pakistan do still manufacture the MG3 large scale.

In Germany only replacement parts are manufactured on demand in small batches... if at all.

graylion said:

Like the FN Evolys?

Looks flimsy to me.

I have no information about this gun besides what the hompage says. Maybe its great maybe not. We will have to wait and see.

But I do want to point out that this as opposed to the successfull 7,62 GPMGs used in the LMG role the Evolys is NOT GP. Its LMG only. It also has a 16" barrel of rifle profile. Which means its sustained fire capability will be very limited. Its advertised as "handles like a rifle" so its seems its designed for a very special niche. It might be great in it. The question is if there is any serious demand.