PLA Small arms

[by78]

Some information on the Chinese .338LM/8.6mm rounds. Currently three factories are make them under the umbrella small arms modernization program known as Project 1224.

The 8.6mm come in two versions: a sniper round and a machine gun round. Both feature full brass casing. The sniper round has basically identical dimensions as the .338 Lapua Magnum. The machine gun round has a slightly shorter casing and a noticeably shorter neck than the sniper round.

Compare the casings. A foreign-made .338LM is on the far left, the middle two are the Chinese 8.6mm sniper rounds, and the on the far right is the Chinese 8.6mm machine gun round:

Machine gun round on the left and sniper round on the right:

Sniper round on the left and machine gun round on the right. Although their casing lengths differ, the full ammo lengths are about equal:

8.6mm sniper round compared to 7.62mm sniper round:

 

[Aniah]

Some information on the Chinese .338LM/8.6mm rounds. Currently three factories are make them under the umbrella small arms modernization program known as Project 1224.

The 8.6mm come in two versions: a sniper round and a machine gun round. Both feature full brass casing. The sniper round has basically identical dimensions as the .338 Lapua Magnum. The machine gun round has a slightly shorter casing and a noticeably shorter neck than the sniper round.

Compare the casings. A foreign-made .338LM is on the far left, the middle two are the Chinese 8.6mm sniper rounds, and the on the far right is the Chinese 8.6mm machine gun round:

Machine gun round on the left and sniper round on the right:

Sniper round on the left and machine gun round on the right. Although their casing lengths differ, the full ammo lengths are about equal:

8.6mm sniper round compared to 7.62mm sniper round:

Do you know any weapons that use the rounds?

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Some information on the Chinese .338LM/8.6mm rounds. Currently three factories are make them under the umbrella small arms modernization program known as Project 1224.

The 8.6mm come in two versions: a sniper round and a machine gun round. Both feature full brass casing. The sniper round has basically identical dimensions as the .338 Lapua Magnum. The machine gun round has a slightly shorter casing and a noticeably shorter neck than the sniper round.

Compare the casings. A foreign-made .338LM is on the far left, the middle two are the Chinese 8.6mm sniper rounds, and the on the far right is the Chinese 8.6mm machine gun round:

Machine gun round on the left and sniper round on the right:

Sniper round on the left and machine gun round on the right. Although their casing lengths differ, the full ammo lengths are about equal:

8.6mm sniper round compared to 7.62mm sniper round:

Sounds familiar. Image source wiki commons.

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The US adopted Norma magnum for both sniper and Mg use it’s the shorter case. Most military users adopted Lupua bolt actions. The longer of the two.

 

[LawLeadsToPeace]

Do you know any weapons that use the rounds?

Based on what I remember, the sniper rifle designed by Hunan Ordnance Industries Group uses the 8.6mm sniper round.

 

[Kejora]

Do you know any weapons that use the rounds?

So China currently developing new machine gun in four different caliber:

• New 5.8mm LMG with mag fed capability
• New 7.62mm GPMG
• New 8.6mm GPMG
• New 12.7 HMG

Don't you think this is a bit overkill?

 

[j17wang]

More aftermarket accessories: red dot, laser, flashlight, grip.

I am glad to know I have a superior loadout to the PLA, using premium only chinese products. They need to stop using cheap chinese products.

I use LE321G as my IR/vis laser/illuminator of choice, in that photo they are only using LS321R. Mine is titanium.
I use HE530G-GR as my red dot of choice, in that photo they are only using HS515CM. Mine is titanium.
I use Type 97 Gen 3, they are using type 95 Gen 1. Mine can be purchased in "free" Canada, while their Type 95 can only be found in "communist" China.

Obviously this is a troll post but its rare for someone on SDF to actually possess a weapon system that is directly superior Spec by Spec to a a PLA loadout. Now if only mine could shoot more than 5 rounds before a reload...

 

[Aniah]

So China currently developing new machine gun in four different caliber:

• New 5.8mm LMG with mag fed capability
• New 7.62mm GPMG
• New 8.6mm GPMG
• New 12.7 HMG

Don't you think this is a bit overkill?

Na the logistics will handle it and compared to the US, this is still fine.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

So China currently developing new machine gun in four different caliber:

• New 5.8mm LMG with mag fed capability
• New 7.62mm GPMG
• New 8.6mm GPMG
• New 12.7 HMG

Don't you think this is a bit overkill?

It’s a question of what they actually adopt more than prototype and trial. Armies and industry make new concepts all the time. But most of those never make it to prototype, most of those farther don’t go to production and fielding.

 

[Kejora]

It’s a question of what they actually adopt more than prototype and trial. Armies and industry make new concepts all the time. But most of those never make it to prototype, most of those farther don’t go to production and fielding.

The 5.8mm and 12.7mm have high chance of being adopted since there are lot of photos of them being trialled. But the 7.62mm and 8.6mm are very elusive and haven't been spotted so far.
Also I'm surprised they didn't choose to develop 6.5mm weapons considering the hype about that caliber in the US.

 

[Aniah]

The 5.8mm and 12.7mm have high chance of being adopted since there are lot of photos of them being trialled. But the 7.62mm and 8.6mm are very elusive and haven't been spotted so far.
Also I'm surprised they didn't choose to develop 6.5mm weapons considering the hype about that caliber in the US.

Honestly, I'm not sure how valid the 6.8 bullet is. The increased weight and the plastic and all.