Posted on 06/07/2006 5:42:42 PM PDT by jmc1969
As American troop casualties in Iraq continue to mount, concern is growing they may be outgunned. That includes new questions about the stopping power of the ammunition that is used by the standard-issue M-16 rifle.
Shortly after the U.N. headquarters was bombed in Baghdad in August 2003, a Special Forces unit went to Ramadi to capture those responsible.
In a fierce exchange of gunfire, one insurgent was hit seven times by 5.56 mm bullets, reports CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian. It took a shot to the head with a pistol to finally bring him down. But before he died, he killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded seven more.
"The lack of the lethality of that bullet has caused United States soldiers to die," says Maj. Anthony Milavic.
Milavic is a retired Marine major who saw three tours of duty in Vietnam. He says the small-caliber 5.56, essentially a .22-caliber civilian bullet, is far better suited for shooting squirrels than the enemy, and contends that urban warfare in Iraq demands a bigger bullet. "A bullet that knocks the man down with one shot," he says. "And keeps him down."
Milavic is not alone. In a confidential report to Congress last year, active Marine commanders complained that: "5.56 was the most worthless round," "we were shooting them five times or so," and "torso shots were not lethal."
In last week's Marine Corps Times, a squad leader said his Marines carried and used "found" enemy AK-47s because that weapon's 7.62 mm bullets packed "more stopping power."
(Excerpt) Read more at kutv.com ...
Hydra Shoks were brilliant technology when they came out. But, that was nearly 2 decades ago. There's much better stuff out there today.
I vote for the OLD (but an updated auto-fire version) of the 8MM Mauser. Maybe even shorten it...build the case of aluminum.
Everytime I wonder why they use the 5.56 that fact always comes to mind. There are other factors to consider aside from the ballistics. I suppose this is why we see the same arguments between .45 vs the 9MM for close quarters combat. Sure the .45 is superior for stopping power, but the 9MM can be used for both MP5s and sidearms. That allows them to carry the same ammo for two weapons. Of course they could use .45 subguns and pistols, or even .40s, but you get the idea. Logistics are an important consideration, and weight is one of those considerations, as you said.
Personally, I use Hornady XTPs.
The instructors at the local range/school said: "Ask your local LEO's what they carry", when questioned about what to load into a personal carry weapon. They showed me their HS ammo and I assumed that it would do the job, if need be.
Can't get what the sky marshals carry, or so I was told..;-)
Oh yea that is the high powered so called assault weapons that are to evil and bad for civilians to use.
The SOG troops that "didn't" go into Cambodia and Laos carried the super-short CAR-15s with at least 12 30rd mags plus all their gear. Try that with anything chambered in a 30 cal rd.
Good call.
I'm confused. When the Beltway sniper used either 5.56 or .223 Remington, it was an ultra-high power assault caliber of doom that was far too lethal to be in the hands of mere civilians according to the media. Now the same media tells me it is an ineffective poodle shooter. I'm so confused.
Head shot man. I shot a squirrel with a bigger caliber than that. Head shot. Easy with a scoped rifle although illegal for hunting. No lead to break your teeth on unless you are one of those who suck squirrel brains.
Hold on now! Is this change in ammo, going to violate the rights of the terrorists?
ping
5.56 mm is not the only ammo on the battlefield.
That has always been my argument when some around here poo-poos a .38 or 9mm stating that they are baby rounds and the .45acp is the only caliber of choice.`
I agree the ammo is light, but if it takes 5-6 hits to kill, then a soldier will need to carry 5-6 times more ammo than with a rifle with better stopping power.
I purchased a Garand from CMP...I love it. What a beautiful weapon.
**concern is growing they may be outgunned. That includes new questions about the stopping power of the ammunition that is used by the standard-issue M-16 rifle. ***
We were telling them that 42 years ago!
Only when owned by American citizens does the ammo suddenly become "too powerful"! Just ask the anti-gun people.
***Most likely high on drugs;***
Juramentados!
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