.223 Remington/ 5.56 MM NATO

[grumpyMSG]

I have decided to create this thread because it seems other threads such as:
http://vagunforum.net/survival/shtf-cal ... tml#unread seem to get hijacked into the discussion of the 5.56 MM NATO round. Feel free to champion the round, abuse it, fold-spindle and mutilate it if you like.

5.56 MM ammo.jpg (23.91 KiB) Viewed 4359 times

The original round for the M16 (M193) was a 55 grain FMJ with a muzzle velocity of 3250 FPS (no color markings).
The NATO standard round (M855 in US terminology) is a 62 grain FMJ with a 9 grain steel penetrator. Because the M197 round has no markings when introduced into the US inventory, The M855 is marked with a green painted tip, other NATO countries do not mark their rounds this way.
The new M855A1 (lead-free) round has a 62 grain FMJ with a 19 grain steel penetrator and copper bullet. It is marked with a brown tip.
The tracers are marked with a red/ orange tip (you can argue what color it is).
There is a 77 grain Open Tip Match round in the system known as the MK (Mark) 262 or MK 262 Mod 1. It has been used as a long range ammo for use with special purpose rifles.
The Marines and the Special Ops community have adopted the MK 318 round which is a 62 grain Open Tip Match round which is supposed to be optimised for use with short barrel rifles.

Have fun with this thread

[zephyp]

Yep and know comes the discussion about the subtle yet important differences between the 2 calibers (.223/5.56) and chambers...

[gunderwood]

I just got some of the coolest rounds out there for 5.56mm...the Marines SOST rounds! AKA Mk318 Mod 0 or the barrier blind projectiles. The Army is stuck on their M855A1 junk thanks to the anti-lead crowd.

I plan on testing the terminal performance soon. They are not suppose to rely on yaw for fragmentation and retain their lethality even after penetrating glass or other tactical barriers. Initial reports are suggesting that their accuracy is poor compared to M193 or M855 (primarily a few fliers). However, it is unknown if that is because the lots being sold to civilians are rejects or the nature of this bullet. According to the reports from the Marines in Afghanistan, the SOST round is working much better than M855 in all situations.

Here is a PDF which provide some more info (Slide 16 onward): http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2009infantrysm ... ii8524.pdf

They are claiming it is an OTM, but I've got to say, the batch I have look far more like a HP than a traditional OTM. Personally, I don't care. I just want the troops to have the best ammo possible and M855 has fleet yaw problems causing it to be very inconsistent.

[allingeneral]

I'm stuck looking for the "I LOVE AMMO PORN" smiley!

[gunderwood]

Sealed can holds 41 packs of 20 (820 rounds).






The HP is much larger than typical OTM.

[Mindflayer]

range report, please.

[gunderwood]

range report, please.

Here you go: http://vagunforum.net/ammunition/56x45m ... t6475.html