04-23-2022, 11:42 PM
Carrying less ammunition because it is heavier does not necessarily mean you expend it quicker. There is no obligation to expend limited ammunition at an unidentified target, at least where I come from.
Some of our guys chose to use 7.62 instead of 5.56 in Afghanistan recently, meaning they carried less ammunition. They preferred hitting power over ammunition. No reports of running out of ammunition because of that choice.
Opposing that experience is the battle of Long Tan in 1966 where the guys were running out of ammunition and needed an emergency air drop to survive. No suggestion it was the guys carrying SLR's (7.62) over the M16's or vice versa that ran low first.
I put it down to fire discipline. If you have to shoot in the general direction of the enemy in fire and movement then shoot less and make them count.
Some of our guys chose to use 7.62 instead of 5.56 in Afghanistan recently, meaning they carried less ammunition. They preferred hitting power over ammunition. No reports of running out of ammunition because of that choice.
Opposing that experience is the battle of Long Tan in 1966 where the guys were running out of ammunition and needed an emergency air drop to survive. No suggestion it was the guys carrying SLR's (7.62) over the M16's or vice versa that ran low first.
I put it down to fire discipline. If you have to shoot in the general direction of the enemy in fire and movement then shoot less and make them count.