[C19fan]

Is the AK considered a battle rifle since it uses a smaller cartridge?

[baltimorepoet]

7.62x39 is still considered intermediate cartridge. So not battle rifle.

The FNH SCAR H is an awesome battle rifle.

[IronJack]

I don't know that the AK's shorter case (39 mm vs. the AR's 51 mm) puts it into a different class of rifle. If it does, then yes, I would guess the AK is designated as an "assault rifle," while the AR-10 would be a "battle rifle."

But then the M-16, the US military's standard rifle, would be classed as an assault rifle as well, where in fact it is used primarily as a battle rifle.

I think the distinction is negligible.