Quote Originally Posted by Valorius View Post
If the 7.62x39mm was all that great the Russkies themselves would not have switched away from it, what, almost 40 years ago? 5.45x39mm is a much better all around caliber than 7.62x39mm IMO.
By the same token USA is trying to replace the 5.56 due to its question of stopping power with a lot of units preferring the 7.62NATO even though ammunition is heavier to carry.
The soviets switching from the 7.62x39 was probably more politically motivated than it was the 7.62 not being able to do the job. USA/NATO had a 22 center fire as their main ammunition so the soviets made one of their own.