5.56MM M855A1 cartridge

[Toepopper]

In 2010 the army placed an order for 2,000,000 rounds of a new version of the M855 rifle cartridge. The new design is designated as the M855A1. It has a green tipped 5.56mm projectile and is a 62 grain bullet made from copper with a tungsten penetrator tip mounted over a copper base. These bullets are more accurate at greater ranges and have deeper penetration when used against hardened targets such as vehicles or concrete block structures. The bullet has maximum penetration at a distance of 200 yards. They are designed to stabilize in the M4 carbine with its 1 in 9 barrel twist. This purchase of new ammunition has caused a surplus of the older M855 ammunition which is currently for sale at a very reasonable price at gun shows across the country. This is the first U.S. Lake City military surplus ammunition to be released to the general public in a decade. It comes packed in metal cans, 420 rounds per can in 10 round stripper clips. The cartridge head stamp says L.C. but the can says Federal Ammunition Co. This is being sold at $129 per can in my area and at that price you can't reload it any cheaper.

[fern]

It is $149 here in the east down from $159.