Army begins shipping improved 5.56mm cartridge

[Jcole]

The new round replaces the current M855 5.56mm cartridge that has been used by U.S. troops since the early 1980s. The M855A1 resulted in a number of significant enhancements not found in the current round, which include improved hard target capability, more dependable, consistent performance at all distances, improved accuracy, reduced muzzle flash and a higher velocity.

Army begins shipping improved 5.56mm cartridge

http://www.army.mil/-images/2010/06/23/78219/size0-army.mil-78219-2010-06-24-060658.jpg

 

[DHolder]

Wonder if they would consider donating the old stuff to a good cause, ME!!!

 

[IndyMonkey]

should be some surplus come available in the next year or so.

 

[shooter521]

should be some surplus come available in the next year or so.

Nope; the existing stocks of M855 will either be used for training, demilled or destroyed (most likely the former). From the Ammo Oracle:

Due to an Executive Order signed by President Clinton, the US military can no longer "surplus" ammunition, except via the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), and the CMP does not sell 5.56/.223 ammo. US military ammo (most notably from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant) used to be widely available, but has become quite scarce and the prices quite high, in the last few years. Though some military ammo components are "saved" by contractors disassembling the ammo and selling the components, most expired or out-of-spec lots of ammo are burned. Billions of rounds of ammo, paid for by US tax dollars, are burned yearly.

 

[IndyMonkey]

Its politics, money paid to the correct person and Bingo a new executive order.

 

[SSGSAD]

Nope; the existing stocks of M855 will either be used for training, demilled or destroyed (most likely the former). From the Ammo Oracle:

Due to an Executive Order signed by President Clinton, the US military can no longer "surplus" ammunition, except via the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), and the CMP does not sell 5.56/.223 ammo. US military ammo (most notably from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant) used to be widely available, but has become quite scarce and the prices quite high, in the last few years. Though some military ammo components are "saved" by contractors disassembling the ammo and selling the components, most expired or out-of-spec lots of ammo are burned. Billions of rounds of ammo, paid for by US tax dollars, are burned yearly.

Clinton, and barry, what a pair of jokers...

 

[malern28us]

The new round replaces the current M855 5.56mm cartridge that has been used by U.S. troops since the early 1980s. The M855A1 resulted in a number of significant enhancements not found in the current round, which include improved hard target capability, more dependable, consistent performance at all distances, improved accuracy, reduced muzzle flash and a higher velocity.

Army begins shipping improved 5.56mm cartridge

After reading the article, I am shocked! I just thought we were over there to kill them not worry about our "green" footprint.

 

[shooter521]

After reading the article, I am shocked! I just thought we were over there to kill them not worry about our "green" footprint.

IIRC, the "green" thing was originally mandated for use on US ranges, but it only makes sense to adopt it system-wide, so you're only producing/issuing one type of ammo.

That said, I wonder if the M856 Tracer and M955 AP rounds are getting "green" counterparts as well, or if they aren't issued in sufficient quantities to make it worth the time/effort/expense?

 

[Rob377]

Bismuth alloy instead of lead.... that can't be cheap.

 

[dleeharrison]

What a waste - Crane has several rotary gas fired kilns that are used to destroy ammunition. Brings tears to one's eyes to see the ammunition that is destroyed. Crane also open burns obsolete ammunition and propellants from time to time. Some of the open burning occurs in cages which acts to keep shrapnel from flying out of the burn area.

 

[Colt556]

DAYUM, I thought that that Order was rescinded. So where does all the US Surp ammo come from the? I have a fair amount of LC 5.56 around here somewhere.

BTW, the NEW load seems to be to good to be true. I'd like to see more data on it and not data from the Gubment.

 

[cosermann]

Destroying ammo = waste of tax payer dollars.

Might as well just burn our money and spit in our face.

 

[vxtip]

ughh i want the cheap surplus back, i came into the ar15 game too late >

 

[tv1217]

Nope; the existing stocks of M855 will either be used for training, demilled or destroyed (most likely the former). From the Ammo Oracle:

Due to an Executive Order signed by President Clinton, the US military can no longer "surplus" ammunition, except via the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), and the CMP does not sell 5.56/.223 ammo. US military ammo (most notably from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant) used to be widely available, but has become quite scarce and the prices quite high, in the last few years. Though some military ammo components are "saved" by contractors disassembling the ammo and selling the components, most expired or out-of-spec lots of ammo are burned. Billions of rounds of ammo, paid for by US tax dollars, are burned yearly.

Wow, what a joke. Billions? If they're destroying a billion+ rounds a year, that's easily 500 millions a year being tossed away.