View source for .277 Fury

{{Short description|6.8×51mm rifle cartridge by SIG Sauer}}
{{Infobox firearm cartridge
| name = .277 Fury
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| origin = [[United States]]
| type = [[Centerfire ammunition|Centerfire]] [[Rifle cartridge|rifle]]
<!-- Service history -->
| service =
| used_by =
| wars =
<!-- Production history -->
| designer =
| design_date = 2019
| manufacturer = [[SIG Sauer]]
| production_date = 2019–present
| number =
| variants =
<!-- Specifications -->
| is_SI_specs =
| parent =
| case_type = [[Rim (firearms)#Rimless|Rimless]], bottleneck
| bullet = .2780
| land = .2700
| neck = .3100
| shoulder = .4611
| base = .4703
| rim_dia = .4720
| rim_thick = .0540
| case_length = 2.015
| length = 2.825
| case_capacity =
| rifling = 1 in 7 in. (177.8 mm)
| max_pressure = 80000
| pressure_method = SAAMI
| max_pressure2 =
| pressure_method2 =
| primer =
<!-- Ballistic performance -->
| is_SI_ballistics =
| bw1 = 135
| btype1 = Hybrid match
| vel1 = 3000
| en1 = 2694
| bw2 = 135
| btype2 = Elite ball FMJ
| vel2 = 2750
| en2 = 2267
| bw3 = 140
| btype3 = VLD match
| vel3 = 2950
| en3 = 2706
| bw4 =
| btype4 =
| vel4 =
| en4 =
| bw5 =
| btype5 =
| vel5 =
| en5 =
| test_barrel_length = 16 inch (406 mm)
| balsrc = <ref name=SAAMI-drawing/><ref name=Langston/><ref name="sigsauer">{{Cite web |title=.277 SIG Fury Elite Ball FMJ |url=https://www.sigsauer.com/elite-ball-fmj-277-sig-fury.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214211147/https://www.sigsauer.com/elite-ball-fmj-277-sig-fury.html |archive-date=14 December 2023 |website=SIG Sauer}}</ref>
}}
The '''.277 Fury''' or '''6.8×51mm Common Cartridge''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beckstrand |first=Tom |date=19 February 2020 |title=NGSW Update: Push for the 6.8mm Continues |url=https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/ngsw-update-push-68mm-continues/372371 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224112505/http://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/ngsw-update-push-68mm-continues/372371 |archive-date=24 February 2020 |website=Guns & Ammo}}</ref><ref name="tactical-life.com">{{cite web |date=20 April 2022 |title=Next Generation Squad Weapon Winner: Army Picks SIG SAUER |url=https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/next-generation-squad-weapon-winner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232827/https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/next-generation-squad-weapon-winner/ |archive-date=15 June 2023 |website=Athlon Outdoors}}</ref> (designated as the '''.277 SIG Fury''' by [[SAAMI]]<ref name="SAAMI-drawing">{{cite web |date=23 September 2020 |title=SAAMI .277 SIG FURY cartridge and chamber drawings |url=https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/277-Sig-Public-Introduction-Orig-2020-11-11.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127162923/https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/277-Sig-Public-Introduction-Orig-2020-11-11.pdf |archive-date=27 November 2023 |accessdate=25 November 2020 |publisher=Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute}}</ref>) is a [[centerfire]] [[Rim (firearms)|rimless]] bottlenecked [[rifle]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] announced by [[SIG Sauer]] in late 2019.<ref name="Langston">{{cite web |last=Langston |first=Jay |date=20 December 2019 |title=277 SIG Fury: SIG Sauer Unveils New Caliber with Hybrid Case Design |url=https://www.tactical-life.com/gear/ammo/277-sig-fury-hybrid-case-design/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003041531/https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/277-sig-fury-hybrid-case-design/ |archive-date=3 October 2023 |access-date=17 March 2020 |website=Athlon Outdoors}}</ref> Its hybrid three-piece cartridge case has a [[steel]] case head and [[brass]] body connected by an [[aluminum]] locking washer to support the high [[chamber pressure]] of {{convert|80000|psi|MPa|1|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Langston/>
==Background==
The cartridge was designed by [[SIG Sauer]] for the [[United States Army]]'s [[Next Generation Squad Weapon Program]] (NGSW).<ref name=Langston/><ref name="Xtreme">{{cite web |title=SIG Cross Rifle |url=https://xtremegunsandammo.com/product-category/rifles-for-sale/sig-sauer-rifles-for-sale/sig-cross-rifle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711202300/https://xtremegunsandammo.com/rifles-for-sale/sig-sauer-rifles-for-sale/sig-cross-rifle/ |archive-date=11 July 2023 |accessdate=8 March 2020 |website=Xtreme Guns and Ammo}}</ref> It is dimensionally similar to the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] service cartridge.
In December 2019, the cartridge was announced for non-military usage, along with the [[SIG Sauer CROSS]] bolt-action rifle. As a short-action rifle cartridge (cartridges having an overall length of {{convert|2.750|in|mm|2}} or less), increased internal ballistic performance for its cartridge case volume is accomplished by applying high gas pressure.<ref name="Eger">{{cite web |last=Eger |first=Chris |date=19 December 2019 |title=New SIG Sauer CROSS Rifle, Company's 1st U.S. Made Bolt-Action Hunting Rifle |url=https://www.guns.com/news/2019/12/19/new-sig-sauer-cross-rifle-companys-1st-u-s-made-bolt-action-hunting-rifle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232822/https://www.guns.com/news/2019/12/19/new-sig-sauer-cross-rifle-companys-1st-u-s-made-bolt-action-hunting-rifle |archive-date=15 June 2023 |accessdate=8 March 2020 |website=guns.com}}</ref> In 2020, it was accepted by the [[Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute]] (SAAMI) as a new rifle cartridge and chambering.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Matthew |date=21 November 2020 |title=SAAMI Announces Acceptance of Three New Cartridges from SIG Sauer, Weatherby and Winchester |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/11/18/saami-announces-acceptance-of-three-new-cartridges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232831/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/11/18/saami-announces-acceptance-of-three-new-cartridges/ |archive-date=15 June 2023 |accessdate=25 November 2020 |website=The Firearm Blog}}</ref> In 2022, SIG Sauer announced that it intends to commercially chamber the [[SIG MCX Spear]] semi-automatic rifle in .277 Fury.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |author=Graves |first=Eric |date=13 January 2022 |title=SIG SAUER Announces Commercial Variant of Army Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) MCX-SPEAR and 277 SIG FURY Ammunition |url=https://soldiersystems.net/2022/01/13/sig-sauer-announces-commercial-variant-of-army-next-generation-squad-weapon-ngsw-mcx-spear-and-277-sig-fury-ammunition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927105516/https://soldiersystems.net/2022/01/13/sig-sauer-announces-commercial-variant-of-army-next-generation-squad-weapon-ngsw-mcx-spear-and-277-sig-fury-ammunition/ |archive-date=27 September 2023 |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Soldier Systems}}</ref>
==Specifications==
The cartridge uses a case that is the same length and diameter as the [[.308 Winchester]].<ref name=Spomer/> Each "hybrid" cartridge case consists of a [[stainless steel]] base coupled to a [[brass]] body via an aluminium locking [[Washer (hardware)|washer]].<ref name="Sim">{{cite web |last=Sim |first=Levi |date=22 December 2019 |title=.277 SIG Fury Demystified |url=https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/277-sig-fury-demystified/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232823/https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/277-sig-fury-demystified/ |archive-date=15 June 2023 |accessdate=17 March 2020 |website=gunsamerica.com}}</ref><ref name=SIG2020/> Stainless steel has a significantly higher [[yield strength]] than brass, allowing the engineers to use higher maximum average pressure (MAP) chamber pressure levels.<ref name="pottsprecision">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=16 November 2020 |title=SAAMI Certifies .277 Sig Fury Cartridge with Incredible Chamber Pressure |url=https://www.pottsprecision.com/blog/saami-approves-277-sig-fury |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603160432/https://www.pottsprecision.com/blog/saami-approves-277-sig-fury |archive-date=3 June 2022 |accessdate=29 April 2022 |website=pottsprecision.com}}</ref> Bullets are either {{convert|135|gr|2}} "match grade" with a G1 [[ballistic coefficient]] of ≈ .488  or  {{convert|140|gr|2}} "hunter tipped" with a G1 ballistic coefficient of ≈ .508 (ballistic coefficients are somewhat debatable).<ref name=SIG2020/><ref name="taclife">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=16 November 2020 |title=277 SIG FURY, 2 Other Cartridges Accepted by SAAMI |url=https://www.tactical-life.com/gear/ammo/277-sig-fury-accepted-saami/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232827/https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/277-sig-fury-accepted-saami/ |archive-date=15 June 2023 |accessdate=29 November 2020 |website=Athlon Outdoors}}</ref><ref name="bcvergeleich1">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=17 January 2012 |title=Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with Independent Measurements |url=https://mittelkaliber.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BC_Vergleich_1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321183046/https://mittelkaliber.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BC_Vergleich_1.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2023 |accessdate=30 April 2022 |website=Schweizerische Mittelkaliber-Schützengesellschaft}}</ref>
These projectile ballistic coefficients are equal to the publicized specifications of the Sierra .277 {{convert|135|gr|2}} HPBT MatchKing and .277 {{convert|140|gr|2}} TGK GameKing projectiles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballistics Coefficients Charts - Rifle |url=https://www.sierrabullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/BC-chart-rifle.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121142842/https://www.sierrabullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/BC-chart-rifle.pdf |archive-date=21 November 2023 |website=Sierra Bullets}}</ref> The SAAMI warns that MAP levels greater than {{convert|65000|psi|MPa|1|abbr=on}} may present an increased risk of unsafe cartridge case or firearm rupture and thus will require new cartridge case and firearm designs that depart from traditional manufacturing practices, including the use of materials, construction methods, production lines, and other important design criteria.<ref name=SAAMI-drawing/><ref name="Maccar">{{cite web |last=Maccar |first=David |date=16 February 2017 |title=The End of Brass Cartridge Cases? |url=https://www.range365.com/end-brass-cartridge-cases/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603115009/https://www.range365.com/end-brass-cartridge-cases/ |archive-date=3 June 2022 |accessdate=29 November 2020 |website=range365.com}}</ref><ref name="Dykstra">{{cite web |last=Dykstra |first=Greg |date=19 July 2016 |title=Understanding Pressure |url=https://www.primalrights.com/library/articles/understanding-pressure |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616085156/https://www.primalrights.com/library/articles/understanding-pressure |archive-date=16 June 2023 |accessdate=29 November 2020 |website=primalrights.com}}</ref>
The .277 Fury SAAMI (voluntary) MAP chamber pressure of {{convert|80000|psi|MPa|1|abbr=on}} enables a {{convert|135|gr}} projectile muzzle velocity of {{convert|3000|ft/s|m/s|0}} from a {{convert|16|in|0|adj=on}} [[Gun barrel|barrel]].<ref name=SAAMI-drawing/><ref name="Spomer">{{cite web |last=Spomer |first=Ron |date=26 February 2020 |title=The New 27 Nosler and .277 Sig Fury Are Creating a .277 Cartridge Comeback |url=https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/guns/rise-of-the-270s-rifle-ammo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929195600/https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/guns/rise-of-the-270s-rifle-ammo/ |archive-date=29 September 2023 |accessdate=17 March 2020 |website=outdoorlife.com}}</ref> It also means that the .277 Fury is normally chambered in small arms that are capable of handling the accompanying [[bolt thrust]] safely.
Commercially, reduced-power .277 Fury Elite ball FMJ ammunition using non-hybrid conventional cartridge cases is offered, that fires a {{convert|135|gr}} projectile with a G1 [[ballistic coefficient]] of ≈ .475 at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2750|ft/s|m/s|0}} from a {{convert|16|in|0|adj=on}} barrel.<ref name="sigsauer" />
==Performance==
SIG Sauer claims that the cartridge has performance superior to the [[6.5mm Creedmoor]], exhibiting {{convert|6|to|9|ft|m|1}} less [[bullet drop]] at {{convert|1000|yd|m|0}}, while delivering 20–25% greater energy.<ref name=SIG2020>{{cite book |url=https://cloud.3dissue.com/184198/184677/215529/2020ProductCatalog/index.html |title=SIG Sauer Product Catalog |date=2020 |publisher=SIG Sauer |pages=70–71 |accessdate=March 17, 2020}}</ref><ref name="SAAMI-drawing" />
==Military award and designation as 6.8 common cartridge==
[[File:XM250 automatic rifle.jpg|thumb|An XM250 automatic rifle with inserted ammunition belt]]
In January 2019, the United States military began the [[Next Generation Squad Weapon Program]] to find replacements for the [[M4 carbine]] and [[M249 light machine gun]]. On April 19, 2022, the United States Army announced that it had selected SIG Sauer to build the [[XM7 rifle|XM7]] rifle to partly replace the M4 carbine, while the [[XM250]] automatic rifle was to replace the M249 SAW in the LMG role. In both cases it had selected the company's Fury ammunition, utilizing government provided projectiles and vendor-designed cartridges as the new weapon's ammunition.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |author= |date=19 April 2022 |title=Army awards Next Generation Squad Weapon contract |url=https://www.army.mil/article/255827/army_awards_next_generation_squad_weapon_contract |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111094638/https://www.army.mil/article/255827/army_awards_next_generation_squad_weapon_contract |archive-date=11 January 2024 |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=U.S. Army}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |author= |date=21 January 2022 |title=ASIG Ammunition Produced & Delivered Over 825,000 Rounds of 6.8x51mm Composite Case Ammo for US Army Next Generation Squad Weapons Program Prototype Test #2 |url=https://soldiersystems.net/2021/01/27/sig-ammunition-produced-rounds-of-6-8x51mm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232823/https://soldiersystems.net/2021/01/27/sig-ammunition-produced-rounds-of-6-8x51mm/ |archive-date=15 June 2023 |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=Soldier Systems}}</ref>
The XM7 was designed to fire the 6.8×51mm SIG Fury cartridge in response to concerns that improvements in [[body armor]] would diminish the effectiveness of the [[5.56×45mm NATO]] round used in the M4 carbine and M249 SAW and increase their lethality and effective ranges compared to common battlefield rounds such as the 5.56×45mm NATO and [[7.62×51mm NATO]].<ref name="AF_Times">{{Cite web |last=South |first=Todd |date=19 April 2022 |title=Army chooses Sig Sauer to build its Next Generation Squad Weapon |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/19/army-chooses-sig-sauer-to-build-its-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230518053458/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/19/army-chooses-sig-sauer-to-build-its-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |archive-date=18 May 2023 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Army Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=19 April 2022 |title=Army selects Sig Sauer to produce Next Generation Squad Weapon and ammo |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-selects-sig-sauer-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531011525/https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-selects-sig-sauer-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=[[Task & Purpose]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sensiba |first=Jennifer |date=21 April 2022 |title=The XM5 and 6.8×51 Ammunition Will Be a Decisive Advantage. U.S. Allies Should Adopt It, Too |url=https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/https-defensereview-com-spikes-tactical-5-45mm-russian-ar-carbine-the-greatest-training-gun-everif-you-have-to-buy-your-own-ammunition-that-is/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207200017/https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/https-defensereview-com-spikes-tactical-5-45mm-russian-ar-carbine-the-greatest-training-gun-everif-you-have-to-buy-your-own-ammunition-that-is/ |archive-date=7 December 2023 |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=The Truth about Guns |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |date=21 April 2022 |title=The Army's Next-Gen Infantry Weapons Will Be More Lethal and More Accurate |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a39774920/army-next-gen-infantry-weapons/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531010329/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a39774920/army-next-gen-infantry-weapons/ |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=[[Popular Mechanics]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Operational testing of the XM7 rifle, XM250 automatic rifle, XM157 fire control optic platform unit and the 6.8×51mm ammunition squad weaponry is expected to begin in 2024. However, this does not guarantee actual widespread future issue.<ref name="Parsons">{{Cite web |last=Parsons |first=Dan |date=20 April 2022 |title=Here's Everything We Now Know About The Army's New Squad Rifles |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/heres-everything-we-now-know-about-the-armys-new-squad-rifles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127071518/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/heres-everything-we-now-know-about-the-armys-new-squad-rifles |archive-date=27 November 2023 |access-date=30 April 2022 |website=The Drive |language=en-US}}</ref> The military designation for this round is ''6.8 common cartridge''.<ref name="tactical-life.com"/> The ''XM1186'' is the general-purpose 6.8&nbsp;mm round, with other versions including reduced range rounds so weapons chambered in 6.8&nbsp;mm can fire on existing ranges designed for the 5.56&nbsp;mm, marking rounds for force-on-force shooting, and [[blank (cartridge)|blank]] and [[tracer ammunition|tracer]] rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=South |first=Todd |date=6 October 2023 |title=What’s the firepower like for the Army’s new rifle? |url=https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-army/2023/10/06/whats-the-firepower-like-for-the-armys-new-rifle-automatic-rifle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240115010732/https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-army/2023/10/06/whats-the-firepower-like-for-the-armys-new-rifle-automatic-rifle/ |archive-date=15 January 2024 |website=Defense News}}</ref>
===Military solicitation===
As of March 2022, the United States Army has a solicitation ongoing for an [[M240 machine gun]] 6.8×51mm conversion kit for the 7.62×51mm NATO-chambered M240B and M240L general-purpose machine guns.<ref name="Parsons"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=M240 6.8mm Conversion Kit |url=https://sam.gov/opp/44d479e9fc3f4437bbf017c1f2f61b92/view |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240115011229/https://sam.gov/opp/44d479e9fc3f4437bbf017c1f2f61b92/view |archive-date=15 January 2024 |website=sam.gov}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUKA1mIYBZo New for 2020: SIG Sauer .277 SIG Fury Ammunition] via [[YouTube]] ([https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/jUKA1mIYBZo Archive])
* [https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/277-Sig-Public-Introduction-Orig-2020-11-11.pdf .277 SIG Fury SAAMI Drawing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611133427/https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/277-Sig-Public-Introduction-Orig-2020-11-11.pdf|date=June 11, 2023}}
{{SIG Sauer firearms}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:277 Fury}}
[[Category:SIG Sauer cartridges]]
[[Category:Pistol and rifle cartridges]]
[[Category:Military cartridges]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2019]]