Ask Ian - What Was the Best WW2 Rifle Cartridge?
In this "Ask Ian" episode, Forgotten Weapons delves into the question of the "best" World War II rifle cartridge, considering both effectiveness and practicality. Ian argues that the 8mm Kurz (7.92x33mm) was the most optimized intermediate cartridge, ideal for semi-automatic and select-fire rifles due to its reduced recoil and sufficient power for fast follow-up shots. He also discusses the logistical challenge of using a single cartridge for both rifles and heavy machine guns, noting that larger cartridges were generally preferred for the latter. The discussion touches on the Italian 6.5mm Carcano and Swedish 6.5mm cartridges, as well as supplemental machine gun rounds like the 8x59mm Italian and 8x63mm Swedish. Ian posits that the 7.35mm Carcano would have been a strong contender for a universal cartridge and suggests the US would have benefited significantly from adopting it, potentially lightening rifles like the M1 Garand and BAR.











