The AP, as usual, will use anything to create the image of our evil, uncaring leaders sending these “kids off to slaughter”. They did it with that crap Dragon Skin body armor that they said “our boys deserve” and they’ll do it with anything they can get traction on.

This fight has been going on for decades. The SOF teams that first fielded the 5.56 loved it because they could carry so much of it and it was accurate. They understand the value of shot placement too. On the other hand larger rounds, .308 for example, can punch through for a kill behind cover and is also accurate but you can only carry half as much or your kit just gets heavier. Some people support going to soft point or hollow point 5.56 but that would mean blowing off some of the conventions that have been in force since the end of the 1800’s.

There is no perfect bullet for every situation. The Marine Corps has emphasized marksmanship to make the best of it.

I used to run a bicycle store and I used to tell customers that there are three features to choose in a bike: price, durability and weight, pick any two. If you want a light weight bike that is durable, it won’t be cheap. If you want a cheap bike that is durable, it won’t be light…etc.

If you add in the costs of retooling our entire production channel for something that is consumed in such quantity, the whole idea is not a very attractive one while in a fight.