What is the M855A1 round?
The M855A1, a 5.56 mm Ball ammunition, is an enhanced performance round for today’s combat and training environments. It works with the M4 Carbine, the M249 machine gun, and the H&K and M16A2 rifles. The M855A1 is optimized for the shorter-barrel M4 where the standard M855 was optimized for the M16.
Is M855A1 real?
The M855A1 (right) is manufactured from a copper jacket, steel arrow head core with a copper plug. The M855A1 projectile fit the Army requirement for a “green” projectile that does not have any lead. This creates a much more expensive projectile.
Is M855A1 considered armor piercing?
Although it’s not an armor-piercing round, the EPR can penetrate 3/8 inch-thick mild steel at distances approaching 400 meters (based on the range at which 50 percent of the rounds can pass through the barrier). The EPR also penetrates some lesser-quality body armors designed to stop 7.62mm ball rounds.
How many grains is the M855A1?
The U.S. Army replaced its green-tipped 5.56×45 mm NATO, M855 standard ball cartridge in June 2010 with the lead-free, or “green,” M855A1 cartridge. Like its predecessor, the new bullet weighs 62 grains, but since its copper core is one-third lighter than lead, it is approximately 1/8 inch longer.
What round does the military use for snipers?
The most popular military sniper rifles (in terms of numbers in service) are chambered for 7.62 mm (0.30 inch) caliber ammunition, such as 7.62×51mm and 7.62×54mm R.
Is M855A1 bad for your gun?
Given the hardness and sharp tip of the round, M855A1 certainly does have the capability to damage rifles more. But, with any weapon using incorrect functioning mags, there’s a greater chance for damage to that weapon.
Is M856A1 a tracer?
Description. A 5.56x45mm NATO M856A1 cartridge with a 3.6 gram copper alloy core tracer bullet with a copper jacket, in a brass case, intended for target designation and fire adjustment in battle (Trace color: Red).