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Well, kinda sorta in a vague sense.

What really is going is the fact that one can find bullets in 6.5mm that have Bcs in the range of .7 G1,at about 147 grains ( Hornady ELd Match) and a cartridge ( a short action 308 based case) that pushes these bullets at decent velocities-2750 fps or so ( and the mil will jump them up a notch or two as well) compared to the 762/308 Win, you’d have to get near a 220-240 grain bullet and out of that small case, you can barely push such projectiles at much past 2000 fps... even the venerable 30/06 struggles to push such efficient bullets much past 2400 fps.

The realities of a smaller, more efficient round in terms of size, weight, materials needed (tangibles) as well as platform requirements ( the 30s would need barrels in the range of 26-32 inches, while the 6.5 can get there well within 26 inches, maybe a bit less) then you have rifle weight, blast recoil ( have you ever fired a wound up 30 cal with a 240 grain bullet?)

One would have to venture into the 300 Mag category to get similar external ballistics but would have a rifle that weighs about 13-15 lbs (M2010 Sniper Weapon system), has a round that weighs about 700 grains, or about 10 to a pound ( the 556 weighs about 190-200 grains) and generates a recoil impulse of nearly 30 ft/lbs ( granted, my 416 Rigby smacks me with about 58 ft/lbs).

So, there you have it- a stepping out 6.5 reaches out farther than any non-mag 30 cal, faster and with more terminal energy. Plus it is a dream to shoot.

The SOCOM folks learn well from the Precision shooting types- both Hi- power match as well as PRS/F-Class- learning how the great shooters get the edge they need to win against other world class marksman.

There is a reason the 6, 6.5 and 7mms rule the match, practical and tactical world, the 6.5 is the better choice in terms of performance and energy while minimizing the log load and the shooters comfort-ability to boot.

In fact, in the precision shooting world of paper and steel targets, the 30s are the exception, excepting the International Palma game ( 800-900-100-yards with a 308/762Nato spec chamber shooting 155 grain bullets). I assure you, the only reason shooters use that combination is because the Palma organization demands it.

A Palma rifle usually wears a 30-32 inch bbl to squeeze every last FPS out of stout charges of medium powder to get that 155 grn bullet to remain supersonic out to 1000yds....Rules is rules.

SOCOM can write their own, and I doubt the 762 nato is to be found in this chapter.