The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has accepted three new rifle cartridges for standardization, including the first composite-case load ever accepted by the prestigious organization. That fact that the innovative cartridge, the 6.8 True Velocity Composite (TVC), is a version of the load that Texas-based True Velocity submitted for consideration in the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon program has already piqued enthusiast interest.
“What we’re doing is putting the performance of the most advanced ammunition ever created for U.S. troops into the hands of discerning shooters who want to hit their target every time,” said Kevin Boscamp, CEO of True Velocity. “Without question, the future of shooting sports and performance can be found in our proprietary composite-cased rounds. SAAMI’s certification of the 6.8 TVC is further evidence of the adoption we are seeing for composite-cased ammunition.”
True Velocity plans to add the 6.8 TVC cartridge to a commercial lineup available direct to consumer and is working with a list of preeminent rifle manufacturers—Daniel Defense, Beretta USA and Lewis Machine & Tool—to develop rifles or conversion kits for the 6.8 TVC cartridge. The composite-cased cartridge offers significant weight reduction, improved accuracy and extended range versus comparable brass-cased cartridges. True Velocity introduced the 6.8 TVC cartridge for SAAMI certification at a maximum average pressure of 65,000 psi with a 135-grain bullet at a velocity of 3,000 fps.
Other cartridges accepted for standardization by SAAMI include the 6 mm GT, which was introduced by Hornady. It launches a 109-grain bullet at 2,910 fps and has a maximum average pressure of 62,000 psi.
Weatherby introduced the .338 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum. From it a 225-grain bullet travels at a velocity of 2,800 fps and has a maximum average pressure of 65,000 psi.
