“The properties of the 5.56 MM come close to violating the prohibition of using expanding bullets in warfare. “
There is effectively no prohibition to using expanding rounds as the rules are currently interpreted. “Hollow point” rounds aren’t allowed. However, both the Sierra Match King bullets favored by military snipers and the new SOST 5.56 rounds in service with the Marines are expanding rounds. The SMK has a hollow portion under the front of the jacket which instantly collapses on impact. The SOST round is derived from the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw hunting bullet and will mushroom with the best of them. (It is now available to civilians, I just found out courtesy of the linked article BTW.)
http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/mk-318-mod-0-bullet-matter-call/
http://www.thegunzone.com/opentip-ammo.html
Even some fully jacketed 5.56 ammo is quite devastating. If the bullet’s center of gravity is sufficiently far to the rear, it will tumble on impact even if it is perfectly stable (high twist rate) in flight. This is the trick to producing armor-piercing (non-expanding) bullets that will produce large wound channels and not just pencil through the target.
Civilians also have access to soft point and ballistic tip 5.56 ammo that performs extremely well on soft targets. Don’t hesitate to take your 5.56 deer hunting if you’re so inclined - just make sure you pick the right bullet.
“Don’t hesitate to take your 5.56 deer hunting if you’re so inclined - just make sure you pick the right bullet.”
I should have added - check your local laws, 5.56 is not legal for hunting deer in some backwards areas... ;-)