5.56 M862 short range training ammunition

[marktx]

Ran across this stuff, seemed interesting so I bought it. Kind of curious if it has enough juice to cycle a rifle. Anybody have experience?

 

[HorseSoldier]

Entirely too much experience with it.

It's ballistically matched with green tip out to about 25 meters, velocity and energy bleeds off fast after that.

The rim of the cartridge is slightly rebated compared to normal 5.56mm, and the cartridge itself is a little bit lighter and not suitable for reloading I wouldn't think. You are supposed to use a seperate training bolt with SRTA -- I don't know how it runs (if at all) with a regular bolt, though I suspect you'll have cycling and extraction problems.

 

[marktx]

Interesting, just took a look at it and the rim is noticeably smaller. I don't have an AR but just tried loading 3 rounds into a PMAG and manually cycling them through my Sig 556, all chambered and ejected with no problems. Also pulled the bolt partway back and tried to get the round to come loose from the extractor without success. Of course the regular extraction sequence is a more violent but it looks good so far.

Did some searching and it looks like chamber pressure is only 15,750 psi which gives the 3.6gr projectile 4,525 fps muzzle velocity.