Steel-Core 5.56?

[Kramer Krazy]

Several years ago, I picked up a case of 5.56 ammo advertised as steel-core. It is Spanish manufacture and has no special markings on it, such as a different colored tip. How would I go about confirming that this is steel core (a magnet, perhaps)? Should I just shoot this stuff at the range or hang on to it? I paid somewhere around $150 for 1000 rounds.....probably 4-6 years ago. What is an advantage of using steel-core over lead-core for plinking? For general info, I'm not sure of my twist rates in my ARs, but I have a 1990 Colt AR-15A2 20" with heavy barrel and a 1993 Bushmaster XM-15E2 with the 11.5" barrel and 5.5" soldered flash hider on it. Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

[NoViuM]

Steel core is definately not your average plinking ammo. Unless you're going ot shoot some steel blocks or something. A magnet will tell you what it's made out of quick enough. Steel core will penetrate and maintain its shape better than regular lead core projectiles.

 

[ny32182]

There is no advantage for general plinking. Steel core ammo is "armor piercing"... the hard steel core is what gives it this property. Steel cored ammo will penetrate better than lead core.

If indeed your ammo is steel cored, hang on to it, as you will likely never be able to buy any more ever again. .223 is now classified as a pistol round, and AP pistol ammo is illegal.

I've seen "steel cored AP" black tipped .223 at gun shows, but I haven't bought any. Frankly I just don't believe it is true AP ammo. I suspect Billy-Bob just dipped the bullet tips in some fingernail polish and called it a day, as I don't think there have ever been any confirmed reports of real milspec AP 5.56mm making it to the civilian market.

 

[ny32182]

As for the twist rates, the Bushy is probably 1:9, and the Colt is probably either 1:7 or 1:9. Anyone with a modern 20 inch Colt want to volunteer what their twist rate is?

Also it should be marked on the barrels? Look right in front of the front sight base if you haven't already.

 

[MechAg94]

I have some Isreali green tip stuff that was supposed to be steel core. I didn't see much difference against a 5/8" plate. I will have to try to magnet.

 

[taliv]

big difference between steel core and AP ammo.

one is illegal in many places, the other is not.

steel core is occasionally referred to euphamistically as "penetrator" so people don't have to call it "armor piercing" which would make it difficult to distinguish from the illegal stuff.

 

[Jeff White]

M855 5.56x45 steel cored ammunition is specifically exempted from the list of armor piercing ammunition. It is commonly available and will continue to be unless BATFE changes their definition.

What you have is probably surplus Spanish NATO standard made in Santa Barbara. Most NATO countries don't paint the tips of their NATO 5.56 green because they went right from 7.62 NATO to 5.56 NATO and don't have large numbers of rifles with 1/12 twist rates still in the inventory.

Both of your ARs are probably capable of shooting the longer bullet. Most Bushmasters come with a 1/9 twist barrel and most Colts of that era would have had the 1/7 twist. The twist rate should be marked on the top of the barrel behind the flash hider on both rifles.

It's safe to shoot the longer 62 grain NATO standard round in the slower twist barrels, it's just not very accurate. You can go the other way (shorter 55 grain bullets in 1/9 and 1/7 twist barrels) and get acceptable accuracy. The zero is different though.

HTH

Jeff

 

[Cesiumsponge]

M855/SS109 with the steel core are more along the lines of "increased penetration" rounds, but not armor piercing. 5.56mm armor piercing rounds are designated M995 and are black tipped. They aren't available on the civilian market to my knowledge.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m993.htm

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Jeff White

What you have is probably surplus Spanish NATO standard made in Santa Barbara.

I'd say you are right. I took a magnet to it and it is steel-core. The boxes and brass have "SB" on them, and also "IMI".

Jeff White

Most Bushmasters come with a 1/9 twist barrel and most Colts of that era would have had the 1/7 twist.

You are correct, here, too. I looked at both guns when I got home from work, and the Bushy is a 1:9 twist (heavy barrel), and my "Sporter" Colt is a 1:7 twist (HBAR).

Thanks for the info guys. At least, now, I finally realize what I bought.