The aussie Army along with the brits have gone to the 338 because the AW 50 is too f....g heavy to carry long distances on a patrol or stalk. The aussies have gone to a Blazer 3 in 338 Lapua mag because it can be easily somewhat resently be carried for a long distance on foot if required. It also gives them that 1000+ yardage reach out and touch someone kinda feeling. In all the sniper training i came across they where never trained to rattle of 50 rds in a firefight. Thats the number 2's job with the M4 or SR25 or whatever the fella desires. the SR25 is the 7.62 choice at the moment with the SR98 as well.

So to say that we grab grandads boyes out of the armoury is purely whimsical thinking and not a understanding of what a sniper is trained to do.
Cheers
NED