5.6mm RGF

The 5.6mm RGF originated in Austrasia as a project by the Reichsgewehrfabrik state arsenal to improve the Brigantic .223 cartridge. After extensively evaluating the .223 cartridge, the blue-ribbon panel tasked with the investigation by the Army General Staff delivered a report highlighting two major deficenies in the Brigantic .223: First, it did not have sufficient armour penetration to meet military intelligence projections of near-future improvements in Teutonic infantry armor. Second, the extensive use of copper did not meet longstanding directives regarding conservation of strategic materials. In response to the panel's recommendations RGF prototyped and demonstrated a modified .223 with a lacquered steel case and cadmium coated, steel core loading. The new cartridge impressed the Rifle Commission but it was noted during evaluation that the long and light bullet could not be seated properly in the .223 cartridge without either exceeding the maximum length specifications or seating it at what was judged to be excessive depth; consequently the Rifle Commission issued a recommendation - promptly reissued as a directive by the Army General Staff - for RGF to develop a new case for their .223 AP bullet that would preserve the Brigantic cartridges weight and ballistic characteristics. Though this move was opposed by the War Ministry which argued that any gain in performance was offset by the loss of commonality with the LoFN, their objections were overruled by the Austrasian General Staff which formally pronounced the 5.56x45mm unsuitable, a move commonly credited as much to parochialism and intense lobbying of the Rifle Commission by the powerful metal producers association.

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 * Austrasia: Adopted in 1988.