[300winmag]

The reviews for the M-4 from the specops guys that served in Afghanistan weren't all positive (accuracy/range issues?).

Their complaints boiled down to ammunition being less lethal than desired at long ranges. The rifles themselves got positive reviews.

In a sense, the M-4/M-16 is a victim of its own success. The weapon is so accurate and easy to shoot, that a decent shooter can expect to get solid hits out to 600 meters with a scoped rifle. But the 62 gr. projectile is running out of steam at that range. A hit at that range can be critical, and yet not instantly lethal. That's disconcerting because you want the bad guy to crumple and not get up again.

Even in the era of full-bore battle rifles like the Garand, 99.9% of engagements were at under 200 meters. The 30-06 round has plenty of killing power at even 1000 yards, but only snipers with scope-equiped weapons ever fired at targets at that range.

Now with better, cheaper, more compact optics, the inherent accuracy of the M-16 family allows for accurate shots in combat to 600-800 meters. Shots that long show up in desert/mountain fighting, whereas most combat is at much closer range. A competent shooter can expect to make consistent hits at long ranges, but has to take into account the reduced lethality at that range. The hits are there, but the instant killing power isn't.

The answer is to get more scoped M-14s into the hands of troops that will be firing at those long ranges. The laws of physics just won't allow M-16 ammo to be effective as desired at those ranges.

[donmeaker]

The 5.56mm bullet, either the old, or new versions, need to be traveling at 2700 feet per second when it hits flesh. If it does, then it yaws (or pitches, doesnt matter which) and breaks in two at the cannelure, then the back half fragments. This creates a softball sized hole in flesh, usually fatal if a solid body hit. The M-4 has a 14.5 inch barrel, and only maintains that velocity out to 100 meters. the M-16a2 or a4 has a longer barrel, and will keep that velocity out to 300 meters.

At longer ranges, the bullet goes through.... a 5.56mm hole in and out the other side. This is rarely lethal.

Loss of blood is not the prefered effect at short range. For example, Lavoisier, the French scientist who discovered Oxygen was beheaded by guillotine. As his last experiment, he blinked his eyes for 15 seconds after having his head cut off. The point is, loss of blood doesn't stop quickly. To stop you want to penetrate the brain or spinal column, and the M-16 round doesnt do that well. the 7.62 will, and so will the .45ACP, or a 12 gauge with slugs or even number 1 shot. (buckshot will also penetrate, but will make fewer holes, so number 1 shot is more effective)

All this changes if the enemy has body armor!

At long range the chance of hitting something is low, so you either use the many bullets technique (the SAW M249 does that well, but at long range the rounds will be .223 inches in diameter, in one side and out the other, so it takes a lot of hits to have good effect!) or a mortar. I like mortars! One bullet, many casualties.

Best would be a service rifle that allows conversion to the optimum round for your situation. I also like a bit of armor on the front end, and the added weight helps if you are the fire support element, though dragging a 16 pound rifle around is a bit wearing.

[PokeyJoe]

Kill a distant target, and all of his buddies will shoot back at you.

Wound a distant target, and four of his buddies will rush to put him on a stretcher, and six will try and protect the four carrying him.

Other than that, I agree with your comment. =)

[SBprone]

The 14s are gone for good, despite the fact than many remain in inventory. The US will not field a weapon for which parts can no longer be manufactured. To build a forging plant for those receivers you would probably have to hold a seance with a bunch of long-gone engineers and machinists.

[RLK]

But the 62 gr. projectile is running out of steam at that range.

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That cartrige should never have been used.