| | '''Battle rifle''' is a [[rifle]] that fires full-power [[rifle ammunition]], such as the [[7.62×51mm]] as opposed to low-power ammunition such as the [[5.56mm]] used in the [[machine gun|fully automatic]] [[M16]] and [[M4]] or the [[semi-automatic]] [[AR-15]]. | | '''Battle rifle''' is a [[rifle]] that fires full-power [[rifle ammunition]], such as the [[7.62×51mm]] as opposed to low-power ammunition such as the [[5.56mm]] used in the [[machine gun|fully automatic]] [[M16]] and [[M4]] or the [[semi-automatic]] [[AR-15]]. |
| − | Gun writer [[Kenneth Royce]] says in his ''Boston's Gun Bible'', "A [[semi-auto]] [[military-pattern]] rifle of substantial [[cartridge]], such as the [[.308]]. Examples are the [[M14]], FAL, HK91, and [[AR-10]]. A battle rifle should be able to deliver "1000[[fpe]] at 500 [[yard]]s within 20" (4[[MOA]]). 500 yards with [[iron sight]]s is about max for most [[shooter]]s (even very good ones). Superior [[power]] and [[accuracy]] belongs to [[scope]]d [[bolt gun]]s in [[magnum]] cartridges. An [[MBR]] should be effective out to [[range]]s where the [[sniper rifle]] begins. 200-300yd [[carbine]]s in [[.223]] have their place (support, [[CQB]], [[perimeter]], etc.), but [[riflemen]] need rifles."<ref>[[Boston T. Party]] (Kenneth Royce), ''[[Boston's Gun Bible]]'', [[Wyoming]], Javelin Press, 2002, 2009: p. 1/3. ISBN-13: 978-1888766066</ref>
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| − | Royce continues, "Battles [[carbine]]s/[[caliber]]s do have their place (e.g. [[CQB]], [[urban]] [[fight]]ing, [[home security|perimeter defense]], etc.), but one must always keep in mind their significant limitations. To wit: they cannot perforate much [[cover (military)|cover]], and effective range is only 200-300 [[yard]]s. Take the[[.308]] (or [[.30-06]] or [[.303]] or [[8x57]]), however, It will strike an incapacitating blow as far as the [[shooter]] can hit with [[iron sights]] (i.e., about 600 yards). It ''will'' perforate much [[battlefield]] cover, including [[tree]]s and light [[steel]]. As a [[Vietnam War]] [[veteran|vet]] friend remarked, 'There's no hiding from a .308!' Amen. It's been widely known for a long time that [[war]]s are not won by [[pistol]]s. What we're now realizing it that wars are not won even by [[machine gun|fully automatic]] battle [[carbine]]s such as the [[M16]] and [[M4]]. [[Afghanistan]] provided the perfect example: [[Guerrilla warfare|Guerrillas]] with 'antiquated' [[bolt-aciton]] [[.303]]s fought off [[Soviet]] invaders armed with modern [[machine gun|full-auto]] [[.22]]s ([[AK74]]s in [[5.45x39]]), [[jet]] [[fighter]]-[[bomber]]s, and [[helicopter]] [[gunship]]s."<ref>[[Boston T. Party]] ([[Kenneth Royce]]), ''[[Boston's Gun Bible]]'', [[Wyoming]], Javelin Press, 2002, 2009: p. 10/1. ISBN-13: 978-1888766066,</ref>
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