XM2010 & glaring "shortcoming"

[Eric B.]

The Remington-built XM2010 sniper rifle in .300 Win Mag has a 22" barrel, as per Remington's published specs on their site.

This short barrel limits the velocity of the .300 Win Mag round (but not the recoil. So I'm wondering why the Army, in all its wisdom, asked for a shortened barrel for a rifle meant for "ridge-to-ridge" warfare.

Most .300 Win Mwg rifles for marksmanship purposes have a 25 oe 25 inch barrel for max velocity and consequently less travel time for wind to affect the bullet and also flatter
trajectory.

So what gives with the 22" barrel??

 

[Lowlight]

Re: XM2010 & glaring "shortcoming"

We have better bullets and barrels now, and guys who shoot for maximum accuracy in a marksmanship setting just walk from the car to the firing line, not up mountains to get to the ridge. See most ridges are in the mountains where altitude increases bullet efficiency, meaning for every inch of barometric pressure above sea level you lose, the less barrel you need, the air has less parasitic drag.

Most sea level engagements tend to hover around 400m because that is where the cities are, buildings tend to shorten ranges because they get in the way of the bullet flight. So the idea you need to carry a rifle with 25" barrel, plus a suppressor on the end is a bit silly in terms of maneuverability. Suppressors also add a small amount of MV so that too helps.

After all this the rest is just math.

 

[rusty815]

Re: XM2010 & glaring "shortcoming"

even with the shorter barrel, it should be able to engage targets out to 1500 yards. I dont think that shortening the barrel to 22" is as limiting as you think it is.

 

[slothlacrosse]

Re: XM2010 & glaring "shortcoming"

This might answer a few questions

I'm not an expert, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express; however, I think Mike might know a thing or two

 

[jrob300]

Re: XM2010 & glaring "shortcoming"

My 22" WM is very accurate at a mile and at 2000 yds. second round hits on torso size plates are not uncommon. The .338 is obviously better here, because it will carry more energy, even against a 300WM with a 26" barrel, but chopping a WM to 22" is not the huge deal most people think.

John