Basic Load

Today, and ever since we started issuing 30 round magazines for the M16, the basic load has been 210 rounds or seven magazines.

How's that weigh?

M4 with the SOCOM barrel and 210 rounds.  13.8 lb.
M4 and 210 rounds.  13.3 lb.
M16A2 and 210 rounds.  14.9 lb.
M16A1 and 210 rounds.  13.5 lb.

Prior to 1969 the issue magazine held 20 rounds so the basic load was 9 magazines for the M16.

M16A1 and 180 rounds.  12.8 lb.

5x 20 round 7.62x51mm magazines.

M14 and 100 rounds.  17.3 lb.

13x 8 round .30-06 clips.

M1 and 104 rounds. 16.1 lb.

21x 5 round .30-06 clips.

M1903 and 105 rounds.  14.8 lb.

Rounds were carried in cartridge belts prior to the M1903

M1896 and 105 rounds .30-40.  15.1 lb.

M1873 and 21 rounds .45-70-405.  10.9 lb.
M1873 and 41 rounds .45-70-405.  12.6 lb.

And that's it for the infantry and cartridges.  I've omitted the similar Krag and Trapdoor variants.  This also doesn't cover cavalry guns.

This is also just the guns and their ammo, assuming a loaded gun.  No other field gear or accessories.

This is also not an accounting of what the grunts actually lugged about!  I've seen plenty of photos of them carrying a full issue load on their web gear plus two bandoliers.