You know -it's only in the last few years that I learned that a "round" of ammo was a single shell...suddenly all those WWII and Civil War movies where the exchange "How much ammo is left? 72 rounds, sir!" occurs seem so much more fraught with impending doom. I guess scriptwriters assumed everyone knew the terminology.
However - I still don't even want to think about how much 800 rounds weighs.
45lbs, more or less. We carried the ammo in 100-round belts, which were packed into cardboard boxes inside cloth carriers. Generally, you'd keep two boxes attached to your web gear or worn around the neck, and the rest in the ruck sack for later retrival.
The M-60 itself weighed 23lbs. So the M-60 gunner was carrying about 70lbs in just weapon and ammo load before adding in other necessary gear.
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Re: I've Always Wondered
However - I still don't even want to think about how much 800 rounds weighs.
Re: I've Always Wondered
The M-60 itself weighed 23lbs. So the M-60 gunner was carrying about 70lbs in just weapon and ammo load before adding in other necessary gear.
This is why I became a sniper.