07-07-2019, 01:22 PM
One of the reasons the US adopted the M-1 Garand as a 30 caliber is the amount of ammunition in inventory. The US was already geared up to produce 30-06 ammunition. I think future conflicts were on the minds of the leadership and they chose to stick with proven or known commodity. In the mid 30’s the world wasn’t looking to mechanized land, air combined arms tactics but many were still focused on the tactics of the first Word War.
The power of the 30-06 is a two edge sword but the common use of black tip amour piercing ammo tends to suggest a desire to breach barriers. In the 1930’s the M-1 Garand was a significant improvement over bolt action rifles.
Had a designer handed an early M-16 to a general in the 1930’s I don’t think they would have been any more impressed than the Army was in the 1960’s. I think most would’ ve looked at a 22 caliber or other intermediate cartridge with disdain.
The power of the 30-06 is a two edge sword but the common use of black tip amour piercing ammo tends to suggest a desire to breach barriers. In the 1930’s the M-1 Garand was a significant improvement over bolt action rifles.
Had a designer handed an early M-16 to a general in the 1930’s I don’t think they would have been any more impressed than the Army was in the 1960’s. I think most would’ ve looked at a 22 caliber or other intermediate cartridge with disdain.