7.65 SLR/5.56 SA80

[Sisyphus]

Can any armourers out there explain the different effects of the 7.65 vs 5.56 calibre rounds? Distance, penetration, accuracy, 'killing power' - or whatever other points I don't understand about why certain calibres are preferred over others.

For example, if an SLR was produced with a 5.56 calibre, would this be better or worse than an SA80 with a 7.65 calibre?

Would a 7'65 weapon with a fully automatic capability be 'too much to handle'? Is there no point in having a semi-automatic weapon with a 5.56 calibre as it wouldn't have the range?

[Wholley]

No idea about the SA80.
The 7.62*51 was a powerful and accurate round.
The only reason NATO dropped it was because the American M16 was in 5.56,so lots of spare rounds after Vietnam

[Sisyphus]

Makes sense. Cheers Wholley!