Can we talk about something IMPORTANT, instead?
Like, "9mm or .45acp?"
"What caliber to use for bear?"
or maybe:
"What one rifle should I get for (insert activity here)?"
In defense of the M14, I find it interesting that the same people who consider the M1 Garand to be one of the finest weapons invented, and a key contributor to the allied victory in WWII, will denigrate the direct descendant of that great rifle for its increased capacity, shorter action and faster cycling time. The M14 is an improvement on the M1 and was designed to be a cross between the M1 and the Browning BAR light machine gun.
As such, it failed. As an SDM issue rifle, it is a great success.
Different tools, folks.