.280 Enfield...Ahead of its time

[stanc]

We could have avoided the whole M14 experience if they had just awarded the service rifle contract to the superior design in 1955. While I have an aficionado's affection for the M14 as you do, I still recognize the AR10 for what it offers over other designs.

No argument there. It's unfortunate the AR10 wasn't adopted instead of the T44.

We effectively already have a 3-caliber system when you look at how the SAW ammo is distributed and fed into the little pigs.

Nope, that pig won't fly. In WWII, packing and distribution was much the same as now, with .30 caliber ammo for the M1 rifle loaded in clips, and the same .30 caliber ammo loaded in belts for the M1917 and M1919 machine guns.

A two-caliber system does not become a three-caliber system just because packing is different for mag-fed (or clip-fed) rifles and belt-fed LMGs.

I still prefer 2, and think it can be done with the new multi-role LMG that replaces both the SAW and 240, while leaving the M4 alone.

Of course it could be done. The only question is how much performance reduction compared to 7.62x51 is acceptable? On that there is no agreement.