[El Gato]

This experience does not make him in any way an expert on the kind of battle rifle our troops should be issued for mounted and dismounted combat ops in middle eastern deserts.

I would think the longer range of the 7.62X51 would be even more usefull in open dessert than in a jungle. The only real downside is the reduced number of rounds that can be carried (as well as a heavier rifle to begin with), but for mounted combat, that is sort of an old dragoon, riding into battle, but fighting dismounted, that would be less of a factor than on a long range patrol in the jungle, or even mountains.

[Travis McGee]

Exactly! But if a new weapon is to be issued, probably we should look at new calibers in the 6.5 to 7mm range.