[xsrdx]

"it is doubtful that any other military cartridge has been used in so many hostile encounters as the 303 [British]."

It had a 60 year head start. I'd also expect 762x39 to be all alone out front in terms of sheer volume of hostile fire, after 50 years of pretty much nonstop use worldwide.

[Who is John Galt?]

[The .303 British cartridge] had a 60 year head start. I'd also expect 762x39 to be all alone out front in terms of sheer volume of hostile fire, after 50 years of pretty much nonstop use worldwide.

Funny thing: the Soviet 7.62x39 M43 cartridge is pretty much nothing but a shortened .303 British round (cut off the 17mm of the case closest to the .303 rim, and reduce the bullet weight, and you're there ;>). In fact, you can fire the Soviet round in a .303 British Lee-Enfield barrel - without rechambering - simply by cutting off the threads (http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/no4223/index.asp - look near the bottom of the page ;>)...

In other words, the Soviet round is nothing but a '.303 British Short'...

;>)