[elmer fudd]

7.62 is too big. Cartridges and rifles are too heavy and recoil is unmanageable in full auto.

5.56 is too small and lacks stopping power, particularly at long distances.

What we need is an intermediate cartridge of around 6.5mm shooting about a 100 grain bullet at around 2800 fps.

[Blood of Tyrants]

John Garand said something similar when he developed the M1. It was originally designed to utilize the (then) new .276 Petersen(sp?) cartridge.

Also, the average infantryman has no real need for full auto as accuracy goes waaaayy down and the number of wasted cartridges goes way up.

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

The M-14's should never have been produced with a selector switch! Full auto is a waste unless you are within "spittin'" distance or are firing in enfilade. They have brought back some of the M-14's with match barrels, as semi-auto sniper rifles for Afghanistan and are considered to be very effective.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Didn't Oswald use a 6.5mm?

What about a 6.35mm so as to come out exactly 1/4"?