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New Army Ammo Puts Mean in ‘Green’
Military.com ^ | May 05, 2011 | Christian Lowe

Posted on 05/11/2011 7:14:14 PM PDT by Redcitizen

ABERDEEN, Md. --- Tell a Soldier he's loading "environmentally friendly" ammo into his M4 mag and he might be skeptical about whether it's as effective as its lead counterpart.

But Army officials here say the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round -- with its steel core instead of a toxic lead slug -- is far more effective than the current round, doubling the effective range and for the first time giving M4-wielding Joes the ability to penetrate barriers once reserved for higher-caliber rounds.

"There's a stigma among Soldiers about something that's 'green,' " said Lt. Col. Jeff Woods, the Army's small caliber ammunition product manager. "This is a clear case where making something environmentally friendly works for us."

(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 556; ammo; ammunition; army; banglist; firearms; greenammo
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To: Redcitizen
Cost prohibitive, but enticing nonetheless. The nice thing is because of the length, most platforms can accept the mods.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

I hope that Osama had first hand experience.

21 posted on 05/11/2011 7:48:57 PM PDT by Sax
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To: Redcitizen

I reload and hunt with all copper bullets made by Barnes, one of them is a 150gr. Polymer tipped Triple Shock, these are designed to “petal out” like a propeller and are advertised as “One Shot Kills”

I would put an image ut but anyone who knows hunting cartridges know what I am talking about, another Barnes bullet is called the MRX for extended down range performance.

Also I load the handgun M/LE (military/law enforcement) bullets, these are a LOT longer than same weight lead bullets, they have a very deep hollow that will create the same petal effect that creates a massive wound channel.

Of course these are big game hunting bullets and could be deemed illegal in warfare but if its solid copper with either a steel or tungsten core then they may be pretty much the same as what I hunt with. Personally I think after the right bullet is chosen and with a different powder charge the all copper bullets perform better than a FMJ lead bullet, at least out to a medium range, after that because they are lighter they do lose their energy.


22 posted on 05/11/2011 7:49:08 PM PDT by Eye of Unk (2012, NO MORE LIES!)
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To: Red Steel

See #16

But I would be surprised if it consistently penetrated 1/4 steel plate at 300 yards.

Maybe if it was a DU core


23 posted on 05/11/2011 7:49:31 PM PDT by mylife
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To: mylife

Yes we each need a case of both m855 and m855A1. I’m sure the current green tips already do quite well on 1/4inch steel at 300 yards. Hmm, next time I get a chance i will try m855s at 300 yards on 1/4 inch steel.


24 posted on 05/11/2011 7:50:15 PM PDT by Redcitizen (In case of economic breakdown, make sure you have a case of Snickers candy bars.)
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To: mylife

I agree. I want to see for myself. (Besides, the best ammo is free ammo....)


25 posted on 05/11/2011 7:50:47 PM PDT by 50cal Smokepole (Effective gun control involves effective recoil management)
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To: Sax

Nice Thumper


26 posted on 05/11/2011 7:52:53 PM PDT by mylife
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To: Redcitizen

I use them at 400 yards. I don’t think they penetrate.

They make gongs ring pretty good though.


27 posted on 05/11/2011 7:54:51 PM PDT by mylife
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To: Eye of Unk

“”reload...handgun M/LE (military/law enforcement) bullets, these are a LOT longer than same weight lead bullets,...”

Since they are alot longer and thus reduce the case capacity for powder, do you see a drop in velocity compared to same weight lead bullets?


28 posted on 05/11/2011 7:55:45 PM PDT by Redcitizen (In case of economic breakdown, make sure you have a case of Snickers candy bars.)
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To: 50cal Smokepole

I demand that we get empirical evidence!

Send the ammo!


29 posted on 05/11/2011 7:56:07 PM PDT by mylife
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To: 50cal Smokepole

I am skeptical.

62 grain .223 can be deflected pretty easily in thick brush.


30 posted on 05/11/2011 8:00:12 PM PDT by mylife
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To: Redcitizen

“...the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round — with its steel core instead of a toxic lead slug ...”

Calling lead “toxic” in this context is just plain false.

This politically correct bullet material begs a rewrite of and old saying:

For want of a powerful hit, the wound was not sufficiently disabling.

For want of a disabling wound, the soldier kept on fighting.

For want of a sufficient number of enemy disabled the skirmish was lost.

For want of winning a sufficient number of skirmishes the battle was lost...


31 posted on 05/11/2011 8:00:48 PM PDT by theBuckwheat
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To: mylife

I’d get one, but I’m pretty sure I’d always choose to shoot and store cheaper rounds. I don’t like the idea of owning ornaments. I’d really dig it though, I’m sure!


32 posted on 05/11/2011 8:01:28 PM PDT by Sax
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To: Sax

It looks pretty effective for one shot one kill.


33 posted on 05/11/2011 8:03:07 PM PDT by mylife
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To: theBuckwheat

Even if this guys claims of penetration are correct, this round will just blow through an enemy combatant with minimal damage.

It cant be a steel penetrator and work just as effectively in soft tissue.


34 posted on 05/11/2011 8:06:28 PM PDT by mylife
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To: Redcitizen

Yes, but most firing ranges will not let you shoot this round due to liability concerns.


35 posted on 05/11/2011 8:07:14 PM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: mylife
My 50 grn. varmint loads are easily deflected by a friggin’ fart. The M193 55 grn. drift a lot in a 15 knot crosswind.
36 posted on 05/11/2011 8:08:24 PM PDT by 50cal Smokepole (Effective gun control involves effective recoil management)
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To: Redcitizen

I use a slower powder called Longshot and yes its a different charge than anything else, I have duplicated a very populare round in .45auto called the DPX by Corbon, instead of a regular 230gr. lead or FMJ I use 185gr.

At www.sigforums.com I posted my load data, but because of liability I cannot post it here.


37 posted on 05/11/2011 8:09:45 PM PDT by Eye of Unk (2012, NO MORE LIES!)
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To: 50cal Smokepole

Yup. At 300 yards I need .308 to manage wind.


38 posted on 05/11/2011 8:11:38 PM PDT by mylife
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To: Redcitizen

Steel won’t “carry” as far as lead, as waterfowlers have seen.


39 posted on 05/11/2011 8:11:40 PM PDT by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: mylife
Then again, I don't have a problem with my 300 grn., .45 cal (.50 cal sabot) bullets out of the smokestick. But only good to 200 yds. After that, they have the ballistics of a crowbar.
40 posted on 05/11/2011 8:21:01 PM PDT by 50cal Smokepole (Effective gun control involves effective recoil management)
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