hack12 wrote:The "normal" load of basic ammunition for a "rifleman" are approximately:
Napoleonic Era/American Civil War - 50 Rounds in Ready Pouch plus 60 additional rounds in their packs
World War One - 50-70 Rounds Basic Load (Approx) plus often a bandolier or other additional carrier with 100 Rounds
World War Two - Same as WWI (British WWII era manuals state 50 rounds for each rifleman)
Korea - Same as WW I & II
Modern - 210 Basic Combat Load (7 Magazines with 30 rounds - though most soldiers only load 28 rounds due to feed issues)
The increase in ammo was the reason for the switch to 5.56x45mm is about half the weight of 7.62x51mm during the Vietnam era.
One side note is that generally soldiers and even marines will take as much ammo as physically possible as the basic combat load will last for maybe one firefight. Never forgetting that they also have to carry squad/platoon ammo and combat gear. Most modern light infantry (see Rangers) carry 2 60mm Mortar rounds, 100 rounds 7.62 for M240, grenades, AT-4 (two in the squad), 2-4 grenades of all types, and other assorted goodies. This does not include Javelin systems or other specialized gear.
Most infantryman will carry as much ammo as they can safely getaway with, I talked with my brother (USA Staff Sargent 17 years) He said that he always carried at a minimum 300 rounds plus at least 5 or 6 clipsin the backpack, He also said it was not uncommon for every man in the squad to carry an extra belt (100 rounds) of ammo for the SAW.