In the 1950s it was the standard NATO cartridge for rifles , but recoil and weight proved problematic for the new battle rifle designs such as the FN FAL .
It is currently the standard NATO sniper rifle and medium machinegun chambering .
In the 1950s NATO was the standard NATO cartridge for rifles , but recoil and weight proved problematic for the new battle rifle designs such as the FN FAL .
It is currently the standard NATO sniper rifle and medium machinegun chambering .