"Ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain"
The reason the M16 was designed was to have a more controllable firearm on full auto and to get more rounds with the soldier out in the field. We are talking about 'Nam though.

IIRC the U.S Army did a study during the war and they figured out that it took something along the lines of 15,000 rounds of "spray and pray" 5.56mm to kill one VC

My grandpa calls the 5.56x45mm a gopher round

If i could afford to shoot the M1A, I would have it in a heart beat. I love the garand action. But the Mini was less than half the price and the ammo prices are about half as well. So for being 18 it was pretty much a no brainer.

Although you better believe the second I can afford to own a M1A and shoot one that it'll be in my closet

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581 Series 18.5'' Mini 14 Ranch Rifle SS
Henry .22 S/L/LR Frontier