If All AK-47s Had Been . . .

[Tony Williams]

So, we still end up where we are today, with the same calibers and weapons, and the same debate.

I suspect that you are right, but there could be one significant difference: the long-range performance of the 6.5mm might have meant that guns like the PKM and SVD were chambered in it, rather than continuing with the old 7.62x54R. That would have meant large quantities of weapons in opposition hands, able to match the long-range performance of the 7.62x51 NATO with far less size, weight and recoil. Which would mean even greater embarrassment for NATO forces facing them.