Re: XM-8 Rifle

From: Tony Williams (Tony.Williams_at_quarry.nildram.co.uk)
Date: 06/03/04 

Date: 3 Jun 2004 00:05:48 -0700

"ssnark@bangserver.na" <ssnark@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<dBQuc.18568$be.7762@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>...
>
> The ballistics of the 30-06 M2 Ball cartridge versus the
> 7.62 NATO M80 Ball cartridge speak for themselves here. In
> a slow fire situation such as when picking off an enemy at
> distances greater than 250 meters the better performance of
> the 30-06 will tell. It's not "miraculous" it's called
> ballistics.
 
In fact, while the .30-06 has a better potential performance due to
its larger case capacity, there isn't a significant difference between
the standard military loadings. The 7.62x51 was designed to equal the
performance of the military .30-06, using new ball powders to reduce
the case size needed.
 
> As to your "general issue" when the M1 was the general issue
> rifle an infantryman had to qualify out to a distance of
> 1000 yards. When the M14 was issued the distance was
> changed to 800 meters. Currently with the M16/M4 that range
> has been reduced to 400 meters for the infantryman. If we
> trained US Soldiers for marksmanship rather than firepower,
> I have no doubt that the skill level of our infantry would
> improve with the change in training and expectations.

This has been the cry of the rifle enthusiast for at least a century,
but it's never got anywhere. In war after war, careful analysis of the
actions has shown that 90% of rifle fights take place within 300
metres, and the average distances for inflicting rifle wounds is 100m
or less. This is not just because most soldiers find it hard to shoot
straight in the stress of battle (a very different matter from
performing on the rifle range) but also because in most environments,
targets are often difficult to locate at closer ranges due to terrain,
vegetation or buildings, plus the fact that they are wearing
camouflage. And when they are spotted, they are usually moving fast
from one bit of cover to the next.

The soldiers currently serving that I hear from say long-range rifle
fire is a waste of ammo unless you're a sniper. If they spot
long-range targets, they just call up the mortars - much more
effective.

Tony Williams
Military gun and ammunition website: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk
Military gun and ammunition discussion forum:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/

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