The use of full patch bullets was a rule set forth by the Geneva convention. This was set forth in 1864 dealing with soldiers that were sick, wounded, or dead on the battle field! This was amended it about 1900 to include the use of full patch bullets(no Softpoints), in war. The idea was that war is not designed to "KILL" the enemy, but to put him out of order to fight!

Americans are of the mind there will be no soldier left behind, wounded, or dead! This isn't the case with every enemy we have fought in modern times. They habitually leave ther wounded to die, and in many cases booby-trap their dead, for American soldiers to be blown up, when they are moved!

The reason the American army went to the 223, is because the rank, and file recruit today can't shoot heavy kicking rifles, and the ammo is too heavy to carry. There is one thing you need to learn! The armed forces is not a good place to find out what rifles are best for anything! The war weapons today, are used simply to fill the air with bullets, hopeing some of them will hit something!

The weapons are stamped out jumk, that the design is dictated by ease of manufacture, and cost.