Although I have no use for a AR type rifle, I thought it was better
than a AK. I was one of those who already didn't like it before I
was in the Army. I was amazed at the accuracy at 400 meters on
Pop ups, we didn't shoot bullseye with them.
I always wondered why we weren't issued a 5.56 belt fed MG
instead of M60/7.62. I'm not aware of any major problems with
m16/5.56 not stopping the bad guy.
A m14 is not heavy enough for FA fire. I would say gun would have to be 12lbs minimum for full auto fire in 7.62nato. M60 or
BAR are close to 20, loaded.
The one thing that sticks in my mine was shooting on ranges at
White Sands. When shooting 400 meter pop up in the windy
conditions in Nov. & Dec the 5.56 had a lot of wind drift. With
the m14/7.62 you could hold the edge of target into the wind and
you would get a hit.
Now they have the short M4s in that type of envirement in Iraq
and Afganistan. That gun must be worthless for any kind of
shooting other than the door to door in the villages.
None of us that hunt seem to have one rifle or cartridge for all
our different game or conditions. Keep in mind the m16 was
supposed to replace 1911, M3, M14, and BAR. If the Military is
going to be a one cartridge outfit, they need to come up with
a 30cal similar to AK 7.62x39. Then they can have a light rifle
capable of FA Fire. The ideal rifle cartridge combination is a myth.
There is to many varibles of terrain, range required, and the type
of targets to be penetrated.