Was this some time ago?
The British Army stopped using the 7.62mm round some time ago - when we moved onto the 5.56mm NATO standard round.

The smaller round is (in theory) less likely to kill and more likely to wound thereby inflicting increased strain on an enemy force as it deals with more injuries rather than fatalities.

/anorak
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 19 Aug 2010, 14:21, 2 replies)

Yeah, about 1982...
They were just phasing out the 7.62 and the ranges were awash with them.
( Scaryduck LIKES EGG, Thu 19 Aug 2010, 14:57, closed)

was it sennybridge?
i was there in 1983 doing live firing with a Bren and my SLR (TA 2 wessex BTLN)when someone accidently discharged their weapon when unloading on the range. It prompted him getting a proper kicking from the NCO's in charge, a lesson i took to heart and was VERY careful about how I looked after my rifle!
(nimrodihnio making gravy for one., Thu 19 Aug 2010, 18:54, closed)

RAF Benson
And it was only a 25 yard range. Yoink!
( Scaryduck LIKES EGG, Fri 20 Aug 2010, 12:42, closed)

I got my RAF marksman badge at Benson
..probably 1984, on same 25 yard range. One of my mates went a bit mental with a 7.62 and autofired a line of bullets starting near the target and moving up toward the top of the range. The rock ape in charge stomped the rifle out of his hands, picked him up and threw him over the low wall to the side of the range. Class.
(Mousy Tongue ...Generally bemused by life..., Sun 22 Aug 2010, 8:06, closed)

They still use 7.62 in the GMPGs as it makes a thud if your suppressing the enemy. And thy've just brought some DMR from the spetics as they realised that its proberly better to have an enemy down for the count rather than carry on running at you.
(Ghost101, Fri 20 Aug 2010, 12:43, closed)