- Joined
- Jun 26, 2006
- Messages
- 1,486
I understand that the machine gun is the biggest killer on the battle field because of how much firepower you can out on a target somewhat accurately.
I also understand that at least in the US military, the rifleman is primarily taught to use his service rifle as a semi automatic weapon. He utilizes rapid aimed fire to put rounds into the enemy fast and accurately.
Since high volume of fire is the most lethal in the battle field and is accredited to the MG or SAW, would a squads fighting capability be decreased to a point of unsatisfactory efficiency, if the 5.56mm SAW's were kept in the squads but the 5.56mm rifle was replaced with a 7.62x51mm battle rifle?
Seeing that a 5.56mm SAW can put alot of firepower downrange and is the higher casualty producer, does it really matter what caliber the rifle is if the doctrine calls for semi auto fire?
I'm not looking at negative results regarding logistics and such, I'm just trying to figure out if such an armed infantry would be left at a serious disadvantage in the middle of combat, whether the combat is on a large scale or a small one.
I also understand that at least in the US military, the rifleman is primarily taught to use his service rifle as a semi automatic weapon. He utilizes rapid aimed fire to put rounds into the enemy fast and accurately.
Since high volume of fire is the most lethal in the battle field and is accredited to the MG or SAW, would a squads fighting capability be decreased to a point of unsatisfactory efficiency, if the 5.56mm SAW's were kept in the squads but the 5.56mm rifle was replaced with a 7.62x51mm battle rifle?
Seeing that a 5.56mm SAW can put alot of firepower downrange and is the higher casualty producer, does it really matter what caliber the rifle is if the doctrine calls for semi auto fire?
I'm not looking at negative results regarding logistics and such, I'm just trying to figure out if such an armed infantry would be left at a serious disadvantage in the middle of combat, whether the combat is on a large scale or a small one.