Why the .223/5.56?

[me1911]

Just curious why the military picked 5.56 as the general rifle caliber of choice? Out of all the calibers that could have been chosen, what was it about the venerable .223 that lead them to choose it over the others? It went from yesterday's .308/7.62 (the M-14) to today's .223/5.56 (M-16). Quite a drastic drop in caliber. Evidently not performance?

Tom

[Paulinski]

Milder recoil that .308, easier to fire full auto, ability to carry more amunition due to smaller size, faster smaller projective would fragment and cause greater wounding. Also back then in the 50's/60's the infantry engagments were thought to be 0 to 300 yards.

Hopefully I got all that right....

[SOWT]

Milder recoil that .308, easier to fire full auto, ability to carry more amunition due to smaller size, faster smaller projective would fragment and cause greater wounding. Also back then in the 50's/60's the infantry engagments were thought to be 0 to 300 yards.

Hopefully I got all that right....


Add we were fighting a jungle war where engagements were closer then you'd get on the plains of Germany or in the desert.

[UVvis]

Also, lower cost of production per round.