[yarddog]

I have noticed the same thing. I have no personal experience but it seems the reports of failure to stop came about the same time as the short barrels.

I suspect the troops like the handiness but it must take 2-300fps off the velocity, maybe even more.

It would seem an HK-5 would do about the same thing in close quarters.

I actually think the perfect battle cartridge has already been developed way back in the 19th centure. The 6.5 Swedish Mauser, although I would love to see just how well the 6mm Lee Navy would do with modern guns and powder. I have read reports of the Marines using them in the Boxer rebellion and other European soldiers being impressed.

[PeteB570]

This subject can quickly deteriorate into a "Who shot John" exercise.

The straight line speed/mass charts that some put forward do not tell the whole story. It is the ability to put that speed/mass into the target that translates into knock down power.

That was what the 5.56mm, 62 grain, steel core "Green Tip" bullet fired out of a 20' barrel with a 1:7 twist was designed for. High speed entry, followed by a rapid rotation that tore the case apart transferring almost 100% of its energy into the target.

The 62 grain bullet with the steel core is slightly bigger than the standard 62 grain FMJ bullet, because steel is lighter (less dense) than lead. This can be checked with a magnet.

You are right in that this became a problem with more units using the short barrel M-4 version of the M-16.

Weapons and rounds are designed for a specific job. Long vs short, heavy vs light, auto vs semi vs single shot, round size vs case size. There is no perfect weapon/round for all situations.