Ammo – Tactical Shooting

308 Effective Range For Civilian Use

TS Editor — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 04:48:53 +0000

The .308 Winchester reigns supreme in the world of precision shooting, especially among sniper and counter-sniper roles. It's the go-to round for many standard-issue rifles, overshadowing other calibers with its versatility and effectiveness.

On paper, a standard 308 bullet can reach up to 1000 meters at sea level. Meanwhile there are advanced 308 bullet designs featuring better aerodynamic stability for longer distance shots. It's important to note that not every .308 rifle will achieve sub-MOA accuracy.

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Referenced National Interest

The .308 Winchester, commonly loaded with bullets weighing between 150 and 180 grains, achieves muzzle velocities ranging from 2,500 to 2,800 feet per second. This variance depends on factors such as bullet weight and the length of the rifle barrel.

Even considering a rifle with a 1.5 MOA accuracy, which translates to a 7.5-inch group at 500 yards, this level of precision is more than adequate for effectively targeting the vital zones of most big game species. This level of accuracy, combined with the .308 Winchester's ballistic capabilities, makes it a reliable choice for hunters aiming at long-range targets.

Federal's 150-grain Trophy Copper .308 Winchester bullet maintains this speed up to 600 yards. While some shooters prefer the 270 Winchester for additional range. The .308 Winchester is heavier for hunting and knocking down targets.

When it comes to "shootability," which encompasses both the availability and the recoil comfort of a cartridge, both the .308 Winchester and the .270 Winchester stand out for their merits. High-quality hunting ammunition for both cartridges is generally available at comparable prices and in similar availability, notwithstanding occasional market shortages.

The least expensive .270 Winchester ammunition tends to cost around $1 per round, whereas .308 Winchester rounds can be found for as little as 60 to 75 cents, especially when purchased in bulk.

7.62 NATO Bullet Velocity VS Barrel Length Chart

The .308 Winchester cartridge, initially introduced as the T65E5 military loading, showcased its efficiency by propelling a 147-grain bullet at a velocity of 2,750 feet per second.

The velocity achievable with commercial ammunition and handloads can surpass the original military specifications, albeit with some constraints due to the .308's smaller case capacity when compared to long-action cartridges like the .270 Winchester and .30-06.

High-quality 168-grain match ammunition from manufacturers like Hornady, Black Hills, and PMC typically offers muzzle velocities in the range of 2,650 to 2,700 feet per second from a 24-inch barrel.

To Achieve Higher 308 Bullet Velocity

For those seeking higher velocities, opting for lighter bullets is a viable strategy. Although commercial .308 loads with lighter bullets are less common, there are still options available, like Cor-Bon's 125-grain JHP boasting a velocity of 3,100 feet per second, and Underwood's 110-grain Hornady V-Max load reaching 3,200 feet per second. Handloading offers the potential to achieve even higher velocities, but practical limits with standard bullet weights usually cap the .308 Winchester's velocity around 2,750 feet per second.

308 Bullet Drop Performance Based On Bullet Weight

When considering the bullet drop characteristics of the .308 Winchester, it's evident that the cartridge's heavier bullets maintain energy effectively over long distances. However, the .308 experiences more significant bullet drop compared to long-action cartridges, impacting its suitability for long-range applications.

Here are some general ideas on where the 308 stands in terms of ballistic performance

Federal American Eagle 150 gr FMJ

Federal American Eagle 150gr FMJ Ballistics Chart
Range (yards)	Muzzle Velocity	Muzzle Energy	Trajectory
0	2,820 fps	2,648 ft-lbs	-1.5"
100	2,597 fps	2,246 ft-lbs	1.8"
200	2,385 fps	1,894 ft-lbs	0"
300	2,183 fps	1,586 ft-lbs	-8"
400	1,990 fps	1,319 ft-lbs	-23.3"
500	1,808 fps	1,089 ft-lbs	-47.2"

Federal 165 gr FSP

Federal Fusion 165gr FSP Ballistics Chart
Range (yards)	Muzzle Velocity	Muzzle Energy	Trajectory
0	2,700 fps	2,671 ft-lbs	-1.5"
100	2,501 fps	2,291 ft-lbs	2"
200	2,310 fps	1,955 ft-lbs	0"
300	2,128 fps	1,660 ft-lbs	-8.6"
400	1,954 fps	1,399 ft-lbs	-24.8"
500	1,789 fps	1,173 ft-lbs	-50.1"

Federal Gold Medal 168 gr

Federal Gold Medal 168gr CenterStrike OTM Ballistics Chart
Range (yards)	Muzzle Velocity	Muzzle Energy	Trajectory
0	2,650 fps	2,619 ft-lbs	-1.5"
100	2,455 fps	2,248 ft-lbs	2.1"
200	2,268 fps	1,918 ft-lbs	0"
300	2,089 fps	1,628 ft-lbs	-9"
400	1,918 fps	1,373 ft-lbs	-25.7"
500	1,758 fps	1,152 ft-lbs	-52.1"

M855 Green Tip Ammo Explained

TS Editor — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 03:15:51 +0000

So about M855 green tip ammo. This is all you need to know.

Overview of M855 "Green Tip" Ammo

The M855, also known as "Green Tip" or SS109, is designed for enhanced penetration, featuring a 62 grain bullet with a steel core and a full metal jacket (FMJ).

It is recognized for its ability to penetrate intermediate barriers like auto glass, sheet metal, and plywood more effectively than standard FMJ ammo, but it is not classified as armor-piercing.

The steel core in the bullet is intended to aid in penetration but can adversely affect accuracy and is considered less effective against soft targets compared to the older 55 grain M193 load.

Technical Specifications and Usage

Cartridge Length: 2.258 inches
Weight and Length: 62 grain
Tip ID: Green
Slug: Lead
Jacket: Copper
Penetrator: Steel
Flash Suppressant: No
De-Coppering Agent: No
Velocity: 3,110 ft/sec
Chamber Pressure: M855
Penetration: 3/8” Mild Steel at 160 meters

The M855 is optimized for rifles with a 1 in 7-inch twist rate and has a muzzle velocity of approximately 3,100 feet per second.

It's noted that barrel length and twist rate can significantly affect the ammunition's ballistics, with longer barrels providing higher velocity.

Used for automatic 5.56 rifles such as M16, M16A2, AR70, HK33, M249 and others

5.56 Ammo Ballistics

Ammo Type	Muzzle (fps)	200 yards (fps)	400 yards (fps)
Winchester M855	3,060	2,529	2,055
PMC M855	3,100	2,449	1,885
Winchester 55-grain FMJ	3,180	2,425	1,943
PMC 55-grain FMJ	3,270	2,555	1,943
Federal 55-grain FMJ (American Eagle)	3,165	2,412	1,776
Hornady 55-grain FMJ (Frontier)	3,240	2,468	1,817

Range Restrictions and Safety Concerns

Many gun ranges, especially indoor ones, prohibit the use of M855 ammo due to its steel core. This is because it can damage backstops and targets made of materials like AR500 steel, which is commonly used for range targets.

The steel core can also pose a fire hazard due to sparks when it strikes a hard surface, adding to the reasons for its restriction at some ranges.

Ranges often use magnets to test for steel in bullets, banning any that attract the magnet to prevent damage to their facilities and ensure safety.

Comparison with Other Ammunition

The M855 is contrasted with the M193, the latter having a traditional lead core and being deemed more suitable for soft targets.

The M855 bullets are a bit longer because they've got a steel tip, which means they need a faster spin to fly straight. They're also heavier, with the green tip ones weighing in at 62 grains, while M193 bullets are lighter at 55 grains. These differences do affect how each round behaves.

The discussion highlights the M855's specific design for penetration, which was initially intended to improve performance against hard targets like steel helmets at longer ranges.

What Is Green Tip Ammo

TS Editor — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:44:15 +0000

If you've been to shooting ranges, you've likely encountered the enigma of green tip ammo. This ammunition, while contentious in shooting circles, is notably absent from most shooting ranges. This consistent prohibition raises questions about its origin.

The primary reason you can't use green tip ammo at many shooting ranges is its design to pierce steel. Given that numerous indoor shooting ranges employ steel to trap bullets, the potential damage from green tip ammo can be significant, leading to financial implications for the range.

What Is Green Tip Ammo

Green tip ammo's ability to penetrate steel underscores its potency. Originally designed to breach armor, its strength has made it a topic of debate for civilian use. Introduced in the 1970s and later adopted by the US military, the green-tipped design signifies its armor-piercing capability.

Over time, the bullet's ability to penetrate steel armor has raised safety concerns, especially given its potential to breach bullet-proof vests. The bullet's capability to pass through barriers like wooden walls further accentuates these concerns.

Attempts by the ATF to regulate this ammo, due to potential threats to law enforcement, have been unsuccessful, citing Second Amendment violations. Despite its potency, many indoor shooting ranges prohibit its use due to potential safety hazards and backstop damage.

Is Green Tip 5.56 Armor-Piercing?

No, Green Tip 5.56, known as M855, is not considered armor-piercing by the BATFE. Some people mistakenly think it is because it has a steel "penetrator" at its core.

Credit https://www.wideners.com

This helps it go through barriers like glass, metal, clothing, and brush effectively. But it doesn't consistently break through car glass, bricks, or modern body armor. Soldiers in Iraq found that M855 ammo didn't always go through car windshields at close range.

The newer M855A1 is armor-piercing and replaced the original M855 green tip. But the public can't buy it. This round can even damage a truck's engine from 500 yards away.

Is M855 Green Tip Ammo Legal?

Yes, it is.

Is Green Tip Better Than FMJ?

Green tip ammo has a steel core, making it more penetrative than regular FMJ 5.56 ammo. Some shooting ranges don't allow green-tip ammo because it can damage their targets more.

As far as ballistic performance goes, here is an interesting chart found on AR15.com

M193 is set to hit targets straight up to 250 meters. At this setting, the bullet stays within 4 inches of where you aim until it reaches nearly 300 meters.

On the other hand, M855 is set for 300 meters. With this setting, the bullet is within 6 inches of the target until 325 meters. When we look at their paths up to 300 meters, M855 flies about 5 inches higher than M193 at that distance.

What is Green Tip Ammo Used For?

Green tip ammo was first called SS109 in the 1970s. It was made in Belgium and won NATO's standardization trials. These trials tested the ammo's ability to penetrate steel helmets from a distance. The U.S. Military started using it in the 1980s, renaming it M855 and painting the tips green. This color helped soldiers tell it apart from the older M193 ammo. Gun makers in the U.S. started selling M855 to the public under different names. The ammo is almost the same as the military version.

The ATF's definition of armor-piercing ammo is clear:

18 USC 921(a)(17):
(B) The term “armor piercing ammunition” means—

(i) a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium; or

(ii) a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile.

M855 vs. M193

The M193 cartridge is still made and sold to civilians. It has a 55-grain bullet with a copper jacket and lead core. Its shape helps it travel farther. Some people ask which of these two types of ammo is better. M193 is good for shooting targets and hunting. M855 is better for piercing things because of its semi-steel core.