On Friday 19 Dec 2008 11:36:12 am J. Andrew Rogers wrote: > The 5.56x45mm is *not* designed to maim except to the extent that > maiming leads to death. This is an old urban legend based primarily on > the fact that it uses a significantly smaller bullet than the > cartridges it replaced. This particular cartridge has the distinction > of being one of the very few military cartridges that can undergo > explosive fragmentation when fired from common weapons. In terms of > terminal lethality, you would be better off getting hit by a larger > bullet that does not undergo explosive fragmentation.
Interesting - and it is likely that you know much more than I do about this. Of course the "theory" was that the smaller round would maim and then the enemy soldiers would be put out of action - i.e. the wounded man and two people to carry him. However. this obviosuly does not work against jihadis. I recall reading that when the INSAS was first inducted the Indian Army was unhappy with the muzzle velocity and maiming potential. But I am told that these issues have been addressed and I see the rifle appearing everywhere and people I speak to (soldiers) seem happy with it. I think the main advantage of the 5.56 is the weight penalty is lower. But Indian police forces are almost always equipped with the Lee Enfield .303. What is worse is that most rifle wielding policemen go to a firing range to practice shooting less than once a year. shiv
