I am well aware of the media creation, "Assault Weapon". The definitions provided in earlier posts of assault rifle are correct. I just never heard the M-16 rifle referred to as one when I was in the Army or Air Force. A select fire rifle of medium power (more than a pistol cartridge, less than a high powered rifle cartridge) with a detachable high capacity magazine is what is called an assault rifle, and the M-16 fits that definition for sure. In my mind, the semi-auto only civilian versions are not true assault rifles, but BATF may see things differently. Now a battle rifle, to me, is any military rifle from a 1903 Springfield to an M-16. I guess "Battle rifle" in this thread only refers to the heavier caliber military rifles, like the Enfield, M1 Garand, M14, etc. Whatever we call them, the .30 calibers seem to be making a comeback. I have always wondered why the Army never just converted the .308 to the .243. That would have given them a flatter shooting, lower recoil round that could have easily been adapted to the M14 design. It would have better power and range than the .223. But they didn't ask me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />