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Navy Orders $40 Million worth of 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo

Talyn

Talyn

SAINT
Founding Member
The Naval Surface Warfare Center has issued a contract for millions of rounds of 6.5mm Creedmoor ammo for use by Special Operations and the Marine Corps.

The $40 million maximum award, to South Dakota’s Black Hills Ammunition Inc., was announced by the Pentagon earlier this week, with Black Hills beating out submissions from five other companies. The pre-solicitation notice issued last December was for 17,367,760 rounds of DODIC AC58 6.5x49mm Special Ball Long Range Ammunition.

Tested by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in 2017 for the Precision Intermediate Caliber Ammunition program, it was qualified for use by USSOCOM units the following year.

laststandonzombieisland.com

Navy Orders $40 Million worth of 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo

The Naval Surface Warfare Center has issued a contract for millions of rounds of 6.5mm Creedmoor ammo for use by Special Operations and the Marine Corps. The $40 million maximum award, to South Dak…
laststandonzombieisland.com laststandonzombieisland.com

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The Geissele Mid Range Gas Gun – Sniper (MRGG-S), Mark 1 Mod 0 rifle. The new sniper support weapon and designated marksman rifle, chambered in 6.5 CM, was ordered “to improve the intermediate range sniper rifle lethality, reliability and performance when suppressed during 50-1,500 meter engagements,” according to its 2023 Pentagon contract announcement. (Photo: Geissele)

The 6.5 mm Creedmoor has been adopted for specific uses within the US military, particularly by US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the US Marine Corps (USMC), primarily for semi-automatic sniper rifles to replace existing 7.62mm NATO and .300 Winchester Magnum platforms due to its superior long-range performance and reduced recoil. The Naval Surface Warfare Center also recently placed a contract for millions of rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition for these units, indicating broader adoption.

Key Details of Adoption
  • Sniper Platforms:
    The adoption primarily involves 6.5mm Creedmoor sniper systems, such as the Geissele MRGG-S rifle, replacing the Mk13 and M110 sniper rifles.

  • Performance Benefits:
    The 6.5 Creedmoor offers superior ballistic performance compared to .308 Winchester, including more velocity retention, less wind drift, and a higher ballistic coefficient at longer ranges, enhancing target acquisition and hit probability.

  • Reduced Recoil:
    The milder recoil of 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges makes the rifles easier to shoot accurately, a crucial factor for sniper operations.

  • Ammunition Procurement:
    In addition to rifle adoption, the military is also in the process of developing or purchasing 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition to support these new platforms.

www.pewpewtactical.com

6.5 Creedmoor [Ultimate Guide]: Military’s New Caliber

Newly adopted by the US military, find out why the 6.5 Creedmoor rocks. We cover ballistics vs the .308, recommended rifles, AR-10 uppers, ammo, and more.
www.pewpewtactical.com www.pewpewtactical.com
 
Out to 1,500 m yes, but the cartridge stays "supersonic" and maintains its accuracy to past 1,200 yd. (1,097 m), while the .308 Winchester with 168-grain match bullets has a supersonic range of about 975 yd. (892 m).

A semiautomatic/bolt sniper rifle with a 20-inch barrel chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor is capable of engaging military targets from point-blank range to 1,200 yds.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is my "poor-mans" 6.8x51, aka .277 Fury, in both bolt & semi-auto platforms, since you get ~90% of the 6.8 performance with 1/2 the price, and much better availability.

Every cartridge has its supersonic effective range.

My .02
 

Military use via Wikipedia​

In October 2017, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) tested the performance of 7.62×51mm NATO (M118LR long-range 7.62×51mm NATO load), .260 Remington, and 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridges out of SR-25, M110A1, and Mk 20 Sniper Support Rifle (SSR) rifles.

SOCOM determined 6.5 Creedmoor performed the best, doubling hit-probability at 1,000 m (1,094 yd.), increasing effective range by nearly half, reducing wind drift by a third, with less recoil than 7.62×51mm NATO rounds. Tests showed the .260 Remington and 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridges were similarly accurate and reliable, and the external ballistic behavior was also very similar. The prevailing attitude is there was more room with the 6.5mm Creedmoor to develop projectiles and loads.

As the two cartridges (7.62×51mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor) have similar dimensions, the same magazines can be used, and a rifle can be converted with just a barrel change. This led to its adoption and fielding by special operations snipers to replace the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge in their semi-automatic sniper rifles, planned in early 2019. In response to SOCOM's adoption, Department of Homeland Security also decided to adopt the round.

U.S. Special Operations Command will convert their 7.62×51mm NATO M110 Semi-automatic Sniper rifle (SASS) and Mk 20 Sniper Support Rifle (SSR) rifles to 6.5 Creedmoor in 2019, a process that requires just a new barrel. In 2018, USSOCOM announced they would roll-out 6.5 mm Creedmoor in a long-range precision (sniper) rifle and use it in a carbine (assault rifle) and a machine-gun.

At the National Defense Industry Association's annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), beginning May 20, 2019, FN unveiled a prototype of its Mk 48 Mod 2 machine gun chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor to fill a USSOCOM requirement. American special operations forces are in the process of acquiring a lightweight belt-fed machine gun offering a better range than existing weapons.

In November 2019, the U.S. Navy ordered 6.5 mm Creedmoor conversion kits to upgrade the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System to the M110K1 variant.

In April 2020 the United States Department of Defense decided to replace the Mk13 .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle with a 20-inch (508 mm) barrel, semi-automatic AR-10 platform chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor and ammunition for engagements from 0 to 1,200 yards (0 to 1,097 m).

In August 2023, Geissele Automatics announced its design had been selected for USSOCOM's Mid-Range Gas Gun Sniper (MRGG-S) program. The objective statement called for a rifle chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with accuracy of 0.5-1.0 MOA at 100 yd. (91 m) and weighing less than 10.5 lb. (4.8 kg). The SOCOM designation for the weapon is the Mk1 Mod0.

The British Royal Marines adopted the L129A2 designated marksman rifle chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with an 18 in (457 mm) barrel, a new Leupold scope, a HuxWrx suppressor, an Envision Technology ballistic calculator, and a Pixels-on-Target thermal sight in 2023.
 
Talyn said:

Military use via Wikipedia​

In October 2017, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) tested the performance of 7.62×51mm NATO (M118LR long-range 7.62×51mm NATO load), .260 Remington, and 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridges out of SR-25, M110A1, and Mk 20 Sniper Support Rifle (SSR) rifles.

SOCOM determined 6.5 Creedmoor performed the best, doubling hit-probability at 1,000 m (1,094 yd.), increasing effective range by nearly half, reducing wind drift by a third, with less recoil than 7.62×51mm NATO rounds. Tests showed the .260 Remington and 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridges were similarly accurate and reliable, and the external ballistic behavior was also very similar. The prevailing attitude is there was more room with the 6.5mm Creedmoor to develop projectiles and loads.

As the two cartridges (7.62×51mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor) have similar dimensions, the same magazines can be used, and a rifle can be converted with just a barrel change. This led to its adoption and fielding by special operations snipers to replace the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge in their semi-automatic sniper rifles, planned in early 2019. In response to SOCOM's adoption, Department of Homeland Security also decided to adopt the round.

U.S. Special Operations Command will convert their 7.62×51mm NATO M110 Semi-automatic Sniper rifle (SASS) and Mk 20 Sniper Support Rifle (SSR) rifles to 6.5 Creedmoor in 2019, a process that requires just a new barrel. In 2018, USSOCOM announced they would roll-out 6.5 mm Creedmoor in a long-range precision (sniper) rifle and use it in a carbine (assault rifle) and a machine-gun.

At the National Defense Industry Association's annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), beginning May 20, 2019, FN unveiled a prototype of its Mk 48 Mod 2 machine gun chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor to fill a USSOCOM requirement. American special operations forces are in the process of acquiring a lightweight belt-fed machine gun offering a better range than existing weapons.

In November 2019, the U.S. Navy ordered 6.5 mm Creedmoor conversion kits to upgrade the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System to the M110K1 variant.

In April 2020 the United States Department of Defense decided to replace the Mk13 .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle with a 20-inch (508 mm) barrel, semi-automatic AR-10 platform chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor and ammunition for engagements from 0 to 1,200 yards (0 to 1,097 m).

In August 2023, Geissele Automatics announced its design had been selected for USSOCOM's Mid-Range Gas Gun Sniper (MRGG-S) program. The objective statement called for a rifle chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with accuracy of 0.5-1.0 MOA at 100 yd. (91 m) and weighing less than 10.5 lb. (4.8 kg). The SOCOM designation for the weapon is the Mk1 Mod0.

The British Royal Marines adopted the L129A2 designated marksman rifle chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with an 18 in (457 mm) barrel, a new Leupold scope, a HuxWrx suppressor, an Envision Technology ballistic calculator, and a Pixels-on-Target thermal sight in 2023.
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What weight is/are the bullets(s)? Just say 1,500m at 1,100fps with 135-145gr has 360-390'# of energy. That'll require a head shot and/or someone w/o body. That's about 9mil numbers within 25 yards.
 
Based on these...147 gr. either Nosler or Hornady.

Black Hills doesn't list any specifics but lists a 147 gr load at 2,700 fps.

defence-blog.com

U.S. Special ops forces aims to award contract for longer-range ammunition

The U.S. Special Operations Command is moving forward with a new contract for 6.5 Creedmoor Multi-Purpose (MP) ammunition for use in the 6.5 Creedmoor gas operated weapon systems, according to a Federal Business Opportunities notice published last week. The service has released a request for the...
defence-blog.com defence-blog.com

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www.rifleshootermag.com

Hornady Awarded 6.5 Creedmoor Military Contract - RifleShooter

Hornady has been awarded a military contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for 6.5mm Creedmoor sniper rounds.
www.rifleshootermag.com www.rifleshootermag.com


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The TAP bullet has likely been replaced by the ELD.

The load is the company’s Precision TAP load, which is very similar to Hornady’s 147-grain ELD Match load, and features a 147-grain ELD Match bullet and is available only through Hornady’s law enforcement/military sales channels. According to the Hornady website, this bullet boasts a .697 G1 ballistic coefficient (.351 G7), and it’s loaded in match grade brass and employs a temperature-stable powder with flash retardant. The round’s Large Rifle primers are staked. Velocities out of a variety of 24-inch barrels are averaging right at 2,700 fps.

The only real difference is the standard ELD Match load may not contain the flash retardant, and there may be other small changes that some military and law enforcement contracts require. The bullet’s BC is the same, as are the velocities—judging by Hornady’s website specs.
 
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BTW - I've standardized with 140-147's in my 6.5CM bolt guns, and 125s in my 6.5 CM semi.

The 125s fly nicely in the bolts, as does the 140's+ in the semi.

BTW - the M7/M250's are standardized on 113gr with the 6.8x51.
 
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Last I years it was going to be 6.8 SPC! I must be behind the times. Now we will never hear the end of it from the CM tribe!
 
I must be behind the times.

Perhaps, since the 6.5 CM has been in use for going on 6 yrs now.

Contact your govt reps, DOD and DHS if you want it replaced by the 6.8 SPC.
 
Talyn said:
Out to 1,500 m yes, but the cartridge stays "supersonic" and maintains its accuracy to past 1,200 yd. (1,097 m), while the .308 Winchester with 168-grain match bullets has a supersonic range of about 975 yd. (892 m).

A semiautomatic/bolt sniper rifle with a 20-inch barrel chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor is capable of engaging military targets from point-blank range to 1,200 yds.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is my "poor-mans" 6.8x51, aka .277 Fury, in both bolt & semi-auto platforms, since you get ~90% of the 6.8 performance with 1/2 the price, and much better availability.

Every cartridge has its supersonic effective range.

My .02
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So of course the gov is going with the 6.8🙄
 
Actually, albeit different that the SPC, the US Army has the 6.8x51 in service right now.
 
LMT also won the contract so they will be using both MRGG and LMT. Mostly because of the patent LMT has on their mono rail allowing return to zero for SOCOM goodies they run.
 
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