New Army "Caliber Configuration Study"

[stanc]

And if it were not for the proven effectiveness of 5.56, I'd make my slippery slope argument, saying if ammo quantity is the prime consideration then why not .204 Ruger, or, to absurdity, why not .22LR? Somewhere in the mix a baseline of "performance" needs to be specified, and a balance struck between quantity and performance.

I'm immensely relieved you're not going to make that argument, John. I think it's incredibly stupid whenever anybody attempts to ridicule 5.56 proponents with comments like, "Well, why not go to .22 Long Rifle?".

Ammo quantity is not the only consideration in selecting a military cartridge. As you rightly observe, there needs to be a balance between quantity and performance. But, there are honest differences of opinion as to where that balance point should be.