Springfield Armory photo dated 2/1/1932 Springfield Armory NHS archives, US NPS

The introduction of the .276" caliber cartridge The .276" caliber cartridge was introduced for the testing of trial guns in 1923. The .30" '06 caliber cartridge, used so effectively in long range machine gun tactics, had previously been an infantry cartridge, too. Some army officers thought that a rifle of less caliber, using a lighter cartridge, might offer advantages allowing more cartridges to be carried.

Here can be seen the .276" caliber cartridge above the .30" '06 caliber cartridge on the right of the photo. The .30" '06 caliber cartridge is shown below in a five-round clip as used in the US M1903 rifle. Above it is the .276" caliber cartridge (sometimes referred to as the .276” caliber Pedersen) in a ten-round charger used in the Garand T3E2 rifle.

By 1927 Garand was instructed to develop a rifle to handle the .276" caliber cartridge. Five years later, however, Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur decided in favor of .30 caliber and the project was abandoned.

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