I was wondering what is in the 62 grn military 5.56 ammo, this stuff I have is LC '02 manufacture. I took one apart and it is 27.3 grns of some mystery ball powder, anyone know what it is, because it really pushes the hell out of a 60 grn vmax

I read at one time it was Winchester...of what burn speed I don't know.

Hey CC, There is no real way to know by looking at it because the Factories typically "Blend Powders" to achieve a specific Velocity/Pressure balance. You do hear rumors that some ammo uses a specific Powder and that indeed could be possible, but you still can't tell by looking at it.

For your specific question though, I'll go out on a limb and suggest they used a smokeless Gun Powder.

Ammo factories don't use canister grade gunpowder...the stuff we buy in 1, 4, and 8 pound containers.

If I understand you correctly, pulling out the factory bullet and seating a Hornady vmax in its place is foolish practice and could be downright dangerous.

I was thinking he wouldn't have any problems as long as he went down in bullet weight and maintained the same powder charge? What do others think?

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Ammo factories don't use canister grade gunpowder...the stuff we buy in 1, 4, and 8 pound containers.

If I understand you correctly, pulling out the factory bullet and seating a Hornady vmax in its place is foolish practice and could be downright dangerous.

yeah I went down in bullet weight, I did it with no issue especially in a bolt gun. it does look similar to the winchester 748 I have, although it has a more matte look to the powder whereas the military powder is more sparkley

If I were guessing, I would say they are likely loaded with WC-XXX. SEE BELOW

See Hi-Tech, McDonalds or GIBrass for pricing and availability.

If I were a betting person, I would bet that prices are on their way up and availability on the way down . . . Just a SWAG you understand./

COTW lists powders used in the M855A1 cartridge as being WC-846 (think Ball C lot 2) and IMR-8208M, a stick powder (think H-322).