That's interesting TBone but I suspect that there must be a lot more to it than that. I'm not a ballistician but my understanding of the trial paperwork was that the harmonics of the 7.62mm NATO round (as was then.....) was such that the disasterous accuracy might be solved if the barrels were muzzle bound. This would alleviate the problem which was that the muzzle vibrations would whip vbiolently and it was this whip that sent the bullets, well......, anywhere really. Centre beding would just exaggerate the condition..........yes? Modern barrel steels might be the Lithgowicon answer.

What say you ENSCI? Any ideas