[SJSAMPLE]

Agreed, but all bullets will "tumble" or yaw, actually, to some extent.

The myth is that the M-16 round tumbles "in flight", which couldn't be more wrong. The 5.56mm round can actually be over-stabilized, causing the round to descent over its trajectory without a downward pitch.

The beauty of the Russian 5.45mm is that the tip holds a pocket of air, which dramatically increases fragmentation.

What most people fail to realize is that 99% (my very loose, but very supportable stat) of M-16/AR failures (usually FTFs)are caused by magazine problems. For a rifle what was designed around a relatively expensive and tight manufacturing process, why did they skimp on the mags? Cheap aluminum GI mags are no match against some of the modern steel mags. Check out the CProducts new Stainless Steel mag (around $25). From what I hear, it's equal to the $50+ HK steel mag. Myself, I've had great luck with the Singapore contract British steel mags.

[colderwater]

SJSample,

My experience with magazines for the AR is as you say, failures to feed. I had a short learning curve: learned to use US general issue magazines (Sanchez Enterprises or Adventure-line), and don't insert a magazine with the bolt forward (too easy to not fully insert). I had nothing but misery with aftermarket magazines and old GI 20 rounders. GI magazines with the green follower, I cannot complain about them.

Since then I've lost count of the rounds fired through my AR, (maybe ~2000). The only failure I had was a failure to eject, the rim of the cartridge torn off. It was Portugese surplus Nato spec ammo. IMI M855 and handloads all perform well.
I'll have look at the CProducts new Stainless Steel mag. Thanks for the tip.

C.W.