[DOK]

Anyone familiar with what they're talking about?:

New Rounds for Army Rifles
June 23: A new round replaces the current M855 5.56mm cartridge that has been used by U.S. troops since the early 1980s. The M855A1 offers a number of significant enhancements: improved hard target capability, increased dependability, consistent performance at all distances, improved accuracy, reduced muzzle flash and a higher velocity. It's tailored for use in the M-4 but also improves the performance of the M-16 and M-249 families of weapons.

 

[TOG]

They're politically correct and green, Dan. Oh, also they don't seem to work all that well (whoda thunk it?)

http://militarydailynews.com/2010/04/army-wont-field-deadlier-corps-round/

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/08/army_green_bullet_080809w/

In deference to Marshall's request I will refrain from political comments, but maybe you can tell what I'm thinking. . .

The Old Guy

 

[DOK]

In deference to Marshall's request I will refrain from political comments, but maybe you can tell what I'm thinking. . .

The Old Guy

Can't read my wife's mind, but yours is clear as a bell Appreciate the information.

Dan

 

[jodum]

Now if we can just find a tree for the troops to hug they will all feel better before they go into battle.

 

[broom_jm]

A tree...in Afghanistan? If they had anything in the way of natural cover, instead of huge mountain ranges and open spaces, maybe our varmint-gun-turned-infantry-rifle wouldn't be at such a huge disadvantage.

 

[45-70 nut]

with the hundreds of thousands of landmines in Afghanistan I can see why a green bullet is necessary. You dont want a bunch of toxic lead lying around.

 

[DOK]

One might suspect that if they ever get it sufficiently functional for military use, there will be a big push to make it the only allowable component combination?

 

[broom_jm]

The irony of a "green" bullet for military purposes is almost too absurd to contemplate. If the bullet hole doesn't get ya quick, the lead poisoning will, 50 years later? C'mon...

 

[CAROLINAHOAN]

what the heck is goin' on?

 

[jbee]

I think it has more to do with cleaning up firing ranges then anything else.

 

[TOG]

They're politically correct and green, Dan. Oh, also they don't seem to work all that well (whoda thunk it?)

Looks like I spoke too soon:

http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/06/23/41283-army-begins-shipping-improved-556mm-cartridge/

I don't mind 'em being "green" if they really do work -- just wish I had more confidence in the system. . .

The Old Guy

 

[Irv S]

I'd like to see on which targets the new round is better and why and also any disadvantages. How about release of the results of the "side by side" comparisons. Why does the link address indicate 6mm? My impression is that going to the 6.8mm would have been more useful. If the new design is indeed better in the 5.56mm, it would be even better in 6.8mm.

Is the savings in of 2000 tons of lead each year going to result in cheaper lead shot (which has more than doubled in price in the last few years) to use in trap and skeet shooting? At least the trap and skeet fields "harvest" the lead for recycling, something that would be difficult on a battlefield.