[Krag]

Does the US Army still use the M193 Ball (55 gr. bullet) or have they switched completely over to the heavier bullet loads?

 

[mag204]

Interesting question since 55 gr. Lake City ball is still being made and sold by Federal.

 

[helpifucan]

The M193 ball cartridge with the 55gr. bullet is used in the M16A1 rifles and earlier M16's with a 1 turn in 12 inch twist barrel. All M16A2 and later rifles, including the M4 Carbine use the M885 ball cartridge with a 62gr. bullet and a 1 turn in 7 inch twist barrel. The U.S. Army probably still has a large stock of M16A1 rifles in use with the National Guard and Reserve. I know it has been a few years, but when I was in the National Guard, up until 1999, the Guard was still equipped with the M16A1. I met some Marine Corps. reservists at Camp Perry in 1998 that were using M16A2 rifles. Hope this helps, maybe someone has a update on this? With the war ongoing, the Army may have finally updated its rifle inventories. I was personnal issued M16A1s that came from each of the original contractors for the M16: Colt, Harrington & Richardson, and Hydramatic Division of General Motors.

 

[Krag]

I had a friend of mine in the Airborne tell me that some troops in the sandbox still prefer to use the M193 load as the bullet is more likely to tumble upon impact rather than just poking neat little holes like the M885. Much more effective on hostiles not wearing body armor.