Cartridge with the highest body count?
- Thread starter spittle8
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I have a big disagreement with 5.56/.223 being anywhere near the top.
Since it has been issued, the US Military has had technology which has relegated the rifleman as a sort of last defense. When the rifle is to be used seminally, intelligence and planning keep the need for fire to the lowest amount possible. Any other part of the world which has much more continual and ongoing conflict, doesn't often have another option than the AK, or whatever non-American rifle they're using.
Since it has been issued, the US Military has had technology which has relegated the rifleman as a sort of last defense. When the rifle is to be used seminally, intelligence and planning keep the need for fire to the lowest amount possible. Any other part of the world which has much more continual and ongoing conflict, doesn't often have another option than the AK, or whatever non-American rifle they're using.
ShadyScott999
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No cartridge has killed as many as the bow & arrow, the sword, mace, axe, etc.
10,000 + years of war. Only 300 with firearms.
10,000 + years of war. Only 300 with firearms.
divemedic
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I agree. The bloodiest war that the .223 has seen was Vietnam, and that was a minor skirmish when compared to other wars. The total casualty count for all participants of the Vietnam war combined was less than the allied count for the battle of the Somme.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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Good point, Odnar!
I think there's no way of knowing, but
The 7.62X54 was used in the First World War on the Eastern Front, the Russian Civil War, World War II on the Eastern Front, and the Korean War, and it remained in service in Viet Nam.
The 7.92X57 was used on both Eastern and Western fronts in WWI and WWII and in North Africa, Italy, Greece, and the Balkans in WWII, and by Chiang Kai-Shek's army before, during, and after WWII.
The .30-'06 was used in WWI in Europe and in all theaters in WWII (Europe, North Africa, Pacific), and in Korea.
The .303 British was used in WWI on the Western Front and in the Middle East, and in WWII on the Western Front, in North Africa and the China/Burma theater, and in numerous other conflicts.
All four were used in both infantry rifles and machine guns.
There have been a lot of 7.62X39 rounds fired but I don't think the scale of warfare compares to the big wars of the first half of the last century.
The 7.62X54 was used in the First World War on the Eastern Front, the Russian Civil War, World War II on the Eastern Front, and the Korean War, and it remained in service in Viet Nam.
The 7.92X57 was used on both Eastern and Western fronts in WWI and WWII and in North Africa, Italy, Greece, and the Balkans in WWII, and by Chiang Kai-Shek's army before, during, and after WWII.
The .30-'06 was used in WWI in Europe and in all theaters in WWII (Europe, North Africa, Pacific), and in Korea.
The .303 British was used in WWI on the Western Front and in the Middle East, and in WWII on the Western Front, in North Africa and the China/Burma theater, and in numerous other conflicts.
All four were used in both infantry rifles and machine guns.
There have been a lot of 7.62X39 rounds fired but I don't think the scale of warfare compares to the big wars of the first half of the last century.
The rifle caliber is difficult to say. I agree that is is likely 8mm mauser, or 7.62x54R - which is still in widespread use I might add. Certainly 7.62x39 and .303 have long records as well.
What I find interesting is the handgun calibers.
I would have to say the 9mm by far has the greatest numbers with the 7.62x25 a very distand second. There isn't much room for discussion here. Even the fabled .45 long colt hasn't seen conflict to the scale of the 9mm.
What I find interesting is the handgun calibers.
I would have to say the 9mm by far has the greatest numbers with the 7.62x25 a very distand second. There isn't much room for discussion here. Even the fabled .45 long colt hasn't seen conflict to the scale of the 9mm.
Duke of Doubt
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Kleanbore is right to point out Chinese usage of 8mm Mauser. Between 1927 and 1949, millions and millions of Chinese were killed in their civil wars, and very few of those casualties were inflicted by high explosive. Granted, the Chinese used other cartridges, too, but 8mm Mauser led the list by a long mile.
Between that, the Somme, Passchendaele, Verdun and all that stuff that happened from 1939-1945, I think 8mm Mauser takes the title.
Between that, the Somme, Passchendaele, Verdun and all that stuff that happened from 1939-1945, I think 8mm Mauser takes the title.
maksim
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my vote for the 7.62.
Watch lord of war. more people die in africa that are going unnoticed. from one country to another. I think they actually give some stats on it too.
AK's are everywhere. Russia, middle east, africa. nearly all of the conflict zones, are armed by the ak, or an ak knockoff.
Watch lord of war. more people die in africa that are going unnoticed. from one country to another. I think they actually give some stats on it too.
AK's are everywhere. Russia, middle east, africa. nearly all of the conflict zones, are armed by the ak, or an ak knockoff.
matrem
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The lack of "any" available to civilians when the government of that unfortunate country gets a bit too power hungry.
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