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Science & Technology
The Russian maker of the AK-47 just unveiled a new AK-308 rifle with a large 7.62mm NATO round
2018-08-21
[Business Insider] The Russian gun maker of the AK-47 unveiled a brand new rifle on Monday called the AK-308, which it will demonstrate at the Army-2018 Forum on Tuesday.

"The weapon is based on the AK103 submachine gun for the cartridge 7.62x51 mm with elements and components of the AK-12 automatic machine," Kalashnikov Concern said in a press statement on Monday.

"At the moment, preparations are under way for preliminary testing of weapons," Kalashnikov added.

The AK-308 weighs about 9.5 pounds with an empty 20-round magazine, Kalashnikov said. The gun also has a dioptric sight and foldable stock.

At this point, it's unclear if the Russian military will field the new AK-308, but it certainly seems like a possibility.

In January, the Russian military announced it would replace its standard issue AK-74M rifles with AK-12 and AK-15 rifles.

The AK-74M fires a 5.45x39mm round, has a 30-round magazine and weighs about 8.6 pounds when fully loaded.

On the other hand, the AK-12 shoots a 5.45x39mm caliber round, and the AK-15 shoots a 7.62x39mm round, according to Kalashnikov. Each of those two weapons with an empty 30-round magazine weigh about 7.7 pounds.
Posted by:Besoeker

#8  But I think I'd pass on the folding stock for a .308
Posted by: texhooey   2018-08-21 23:15  

#7  Still if it's as good as an AK-47, such as you can drag it through the mud and dirt, use it as a shovel, and then it still fires like a sewing machine; it's a keeper.
Posted by: texhooey   2018-08-21 23:13  

#6  7.62 round was not controllable in full auto

The round is controllable, a wrongly configured weapon is not.
Posted by: Skidmark   2018-08-21 19:17  

#5  Battle Rifle vs Assault Rifle. This is the former. Might just be a good weapon given the pedigree of durability in the AK design, and the solid performance of the 7.62 NATO round.
Posted by: Boss Spoper5850   2018-08-21 13:44  

#4  BAR revisited?
Posted by: NoMoreBS   2018-08-21 11:14  

#3  I thought the whole point of going away from the M-14 was because the 7.62 round was not controllable in full auto. Why would this be different? Someone with more knowledge please correct me.
Posted by: Spot   2018-08-21 11:03  

#2  An AK with more range, punch and less payload tumbling. What's not to like?
Posted by: Skidmark   2018-08-21 11:02  

#1  Ivan is sticking with the cold war strategy of using Nato supplies when they outrun their own supply lines.
Posted by: Mercutio   2018-08-21 09:11  

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