Posted on 06/07/2006 5:42:42 PM PDT by jmc1969
As American troop casualties in Iraq continue to mount, concern is growing they may be outgunned. That includes new questions about the stopping power of the ammunition that is used by the standard-issue M-16 rifle.
Shortly after the U.N. headquarters was bombed in Baghdad in August 2003, a Special Forces unit went to Ramadi to capture those responsible.
In a fierce exchange of gunfire, one insurgent was hit seven times by 5.56 mm bullets, reports CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian. It took a shot to the head with a pistol to finally bring him down. But before he died, he killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded seven more.
"The lack of the lethality of that bullet has caused United States soldiers to die," says Maj. Anthony Milavic.
Milavic is a retired Marine major who saw three tours of duty in Vietnam. He says the small-caliber 5.56, essentially a .22-caliber civilian bullet, is far better suited for shooting squirrels than the enemy, and contends that urban warfare in Iraq demands a bigger bullet. "A bullet that knocks the man down with one shot," he says. "And keeps him down."
Milavic is not alone. In a confidential report to Congress last year, active Marine commanders complained that: "5.56 was the most worthless round," "we were shooting them five times or so," and "torso shots were not lethal."
In last week's Marine Corps Times, a squad leader said his Marines carried and used "found" enemy AK-47s because that weapon's 7.62 mm bullets packed "more stopping power."
(Excerpt) Read more at kutv.com ...
.308 would be my caliber of choice.
Bring back the M-14 with 3 round fire capability! 7.62 will put them down to stay!
History often repeats itself when fighting Muslims or fanatics.
The .45 round was created to put down people like that.
The M-16 ammo has the advantage of being light weight and easier to carry, but I'd still rather weigh myself down a little more and use .308 in combat, assuming my rifle is good.
Most likely high on drugs; bring back the dum-dum bullet.
Good grief! This has been an issue since Vietnam and CBS just discovered our troops are undergunned? Somehow I doubt the seriousness of their concern.
The M16 can be chambered to handle much more powerful cartridges. They've tested the new Remmington 6.8 SPC and several others. The problem is that it's taking far too long to make a decision.
Wow, I am surprised he admitted that. He's right, if you are going to give rifles to people who aren't well trained they should be light, etc. However, the real issue is not what rifle is being carried, but rather why the soldiers aren't properly trained.
Damn right, there must be tens of thousands in storage, issue them out!!
Get rid of that dinky SAW while we're at it, M60 rules!
Get some! Get some!!
It's just goofy to send our guys over there with Phasers on stun.
.223 is an excellent varmint round, but illegal to use on deer sized game in most states. I have often wondered about that.
These guys crack me up. The media HATES the war- they detest the military and look at them as though they're from another planet...and YET- they are concerned that combat soldiers may or may not have adequate firepower?
pppffftttt..
.223 makes a pretty good deer round if you don't exceed it's capabilities. No shots over 100 yards and good shot placement and it's acceptable.
This is the Haditha one-two. If the holes in the victims are from AK-47's, the press is laying the groudwork to say the Marines did it anyway. Plain and simple, folks.
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