Actually it was designed to compete with the 7x57 Mauser and the 8x57JS. Also, one benefit desired of an effective combat round is the ability to shoot through barriers/cover/trees, etc. The BAR was always loaded with Armor Piercers, the M60 7.62 was used this way to an extant. Suppressing fire keeps their heads down. Always a good thing to shoot through 4-5 "in line" enemy to either kill or wound, with one bullet.
