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I’ve never looked at any studies that say the 7.62 round has more “put-down” power than the 223. I don’t know if the ‘39 has the same tendency to yaw and break up, or just drill right through. The reports I’ve read are mixed. I remember that in Somalia, there were reports our troops complained that they’d have to shoot the “skinnies” several times to put them down (indicating that maybe the 223 was drilling straight through, rather than yawing and breaking up and causing explosive wounds), so I don’t know for sure which one I’d rather be shot with, if I had a choice.
Preferably, I never have to find out in this lifetime. But I know there are some Freepers out there, Viet Nam vets and such, who have live experience.

well i would not go this far and say that a 7,62 round has more “put down” powert hen a 223 because the .223 round often starts to tumble inside the body because of it´s nose. so the .223 is a very capable round to put somebody down. the 7,62 has just more penetrating power thats all. btw. a .223 round at 200 yards will pass your body if you don´t wear any body armor or it will break because you hit a bone. (even worse for the guy who is hit) . so the 223 is a very capable round in combat. low recoil and for that high “damage” and and good balistics. the only problem is “she” doesn´t preform well agains “massive” targets. the round lacks penetration power. so in times where a 7,62 will fly trough the barrier the 223 has a good chance not to penetrate and there for miss the targed. but then again the standart body armor will normally save you from getting killed if this happens.

Like I said in a thread yesterday, our firearms instructors back in the day kept on hand a metal ammo can that was filled with water and shot with a 223 round, to show us what hydrostatic shock means.

22 caliber hole going in, the whole back of the can opened up wide open. Nasty.

It surprises me that the human body can absorb such energy, and not go right down. But it happens.

It also surprised me as I posted yesterday that Gen Petraeus was shot in the chest at close range by a 223 round at close range, by one of his own troops (accidental, tripped and fell at the range) and was back on the job a few days later.

Looking at the ammo can, I don't know how anyone survives that. But, it happens.

Granted the AR’s are accurate, but just how important is x-ring accuracy in full auto. Any weapon will over heat in full auto if fired continously. Not ever having been in combat, I would imagine that that to pray and spray would be tempting although 3rounds would make the piece last longer.
barbra ann