Understanding the Efficacy of Green Tip Ammunition: Debunking Myths and Clarifying Facts
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The Myth and the Reality
Does Green Tip Ammo Really Work?
Yes, it does work effectively in the right scenarios. Green tip ammunition, also known as 5.56x45mm GI (Green Improved), has certain advantages that make it a preferred choice for many users. These advantages include its ability to penetrate barriers without the need for a larger cartridge, reduced carbon build-up in firearms, and its overall quality.
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Performance and Barrel Length
The initial development of green tip ammunition was for a 20-inch barrel length. However, many 5.56 rounds perform exceptionally well with longer barrel lengths. Surprisingly, many of these rounds still function effectively out of M4 barrel lengths, which are typically 14.5 inches. The M855, on the other hand, required a longer barrel to achieve optimal performance, often in the range of 20 inches.
Green tip 5.56 ammunition, typically at 62 grains, sits in the middle of the 5.56 bullet weight range. This weight helps it retain some range effectiveness, but it does not guarantee optimal performance of the projectile.
Penetration and Tumbling Behavior
A key characteristic of M855 SS109 (commonly referred to as "Green tips") is its tumbling behavior. Research has shown that M855 would only begin to tumble after 4.7 inches of penetration. This means the bullet starts to fall from front to back as it exits or just before exiting a human torso.
Changing the impact angle can increase the amount of tissue the round must penetrate, although 5 inches of penetration is sufficient in a chest cavity. However, due to smaller frames and thinner bodies, the impact of the round is even less effective. Combined with performance reduction at 150 meters, the round is only effective for piercing steel helmets and light barriers.
Addressing Misconceptions
Many misconceptions surround green tip ammunition. For instance, M855 SS109, despite its green tip, is not an armor-piercing round. It is a 62-grain full-metal-jacket bullet with a lead alloy core and a steel penetrator inside the lead alloy core. It does not have a steel jacket; instead, it has a common gilding metal jacket that is standard for rifle ammunition.
M855 SS109 is known as a "yaw-dependent" bullet, meaning it needs to be just on the fringe of stability to cause the most damage by tumbling and fragmenting upon impact. This bullet requires 9 twist rifling to stabilize. Shooting these bullets in the common 7 twist barrels of many AR-15s can accentuate the fundamental inaccuracy of the bullet.
The obtainable accuracy of a particular bullet is largely dependent on the coaxial condition between the axis of mass and the axis of rotation. The bullet's three-component design (jacket, core, and penetrator) makes it difficult to achieve this alignment. Furthermore, the precision with which military ammunition is assembled can also impact accuracy. These rounds are not particularly accurate, and achieving 2 MOA accuracy in typical AR-15s is considered fortunate.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while green tip ammunition works effectively in some scenarios, it is important to understand its limitations and the conditions under which it performs best. Whether for long-range targets or to overcome barriers, green tip ammunition offers several advantages but also comes with specific performance characteristics that users should be aware of.