I’d like them to consider 6.5 or 6.8 as a minimum cartridge. I tend to favor more accruate, longer range, heavy hitting rounds. Would truely like them to go to the 7.62 Nato. If small size is needed, you can convert the M14 to a bullpup configuration.
I agree. There are lots of choices out there that would fill the gap nicely, including even the old .280 British or for that matter, the .250 Savage, to say nothing of the whole host of newer rounds.
"If small size is needed, you can convert the M14 to a bullpup configuration."
Kel-Tec, of all people, makes a 7.62 bullpup called the RFD. From what I've read/heard/seen (never fired one) it had some bugs not uncommon in a new design but they've been working through them. It uses standard FAL mags and has a unique front ejection making it suitable for left and right handed shooters. It may not be the "right" weapons for our military, but it certainly presents a number of concepts worth exploring further.
Not gonna happen. They have 614.68 gazillion berillion gumillion rounds inventoried in 5.56. They also keep insisting that it is doing fine, reporting excellent accuracy at way-out there ranges, too.
Some fellows report that it isn't really lethal enough, being a now highly stabilized, light weight, 77 gr bullet. Sort of drills neat holes where you want them, but doesn't always put the bad guys away quick enough.