Winchester Breaks Ground For New 6.8 mm Ammo Facility

by
posted on March 18, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Winchester Ammunition logo horse and rider
Logo courtesy of Winchester.

Olin Corporation announced that its Winchester division—in collaboration with the U.S. Army’s Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition and Joint Munitions Command—broke ground for the new 6.8 mm Ammunition Facility at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in early 2025. This facility is part of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Program and represents a significant step in the Army’s modernization efforts.

The 450,000-sq.-ft. advanced ammunition production facility will be capable of manufacturing all components of 6.8 mm ammunition as well as finished rounds for the U.S. military, reinforcing the iconic legacy of LCAAP and its vital role in national defense.

“Olin Winchester has a rich history in ammunition manufacturing excellence and support of the U.S. Military,” said Ken Lane, Olin president and CEO, remarked during the ground-breaking ceremony. “We are proud to build on this American legacy through this opportunity to partner with the U.S. Army to construct this transformational facility and bring new capabilities to the Warfighter.”

The ceremony featured remarks from Ken Lane, Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition, and Brett Flaugher, president of Winchester, Liz Miranda, U.S. Army Material Command’s Executive Deputy to the Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Ronnie Anderson, Commander of the Joint Munitions Command, staff from Rep. Sam Graves and Sen. Eric Schmitt's office, and other federal, state, and local representatives were among the more than 100 special guests in attendance.

“This facility will represent a significant step forward in equipping our soldiers with the advanced munitions they need to maintain overmatch on the battlefield,” noted Maj. Gen. John T. Reim. “With 90 percent of the work supported by industries in the Kansas City region and nearly 50 local businesses involved in the construction, this project will strengthen the defense industrial base, create well-paying jobs, and drive economic growth in the local community. Lake City has been central to our nation’s ammunition production since 1941, and this facility builds on that proud and historic legacy.”

Early in 2022, Winchester was awarded a $20 million contract to analyze manufacturing facility requirements, plan production capacity for the military’s 6.8 mm NGSW and develop the ammunition and loads.

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.