I have some regular US military ball green tip 5.56 ammo, I have pulled the bullets and seated a 60 grain vmax and got really fast speeds with it, does anyone know what powder they used to make this stuff??

What was the weight of the bullet you pulled?

M855 Machine gun ammo WC844


M855 Ball 190 gr (12.31 g) 2.26 in (57.4 mm) WC 844 62 gr (4.02 g) 55,000 psi (3,867 kg/cm²) 3,025 fps (922

mps


The cartridge is used by the M249 machine gun and the M16A2/A3/A4 and M4-series weapons. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel and unarmored targets. This is a training standard item used in both training and combat.

The M855 cartridge has a 62-grain, gilded metal-jacketed, lead alloy core bullet with a steel penetrator. The primer and case are waterproof.

This ammunition should not be used in the M16A1 except under emergency conditions, and only at targets less than 90 meters in distance. (The twist of the M16A1 rifling is not sufficient to stabilize the heavier projectile of the round).

The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip.

Type Classification: STD - MSR 05826003. Type Classification Date: 1982.
Unit cost: $0.26 (Fiscal Year 2005). Cartridge, 5.56mm, Ball, M855, Lead Free

The M855 "lead free" ball cartridge has a bullet with a conical steel insert and a tungsten composite core in a copper alloy jacket. The intended use is to maintain environmentally "clean" ranges.

The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip.

Type Classification Date: 1982.
Unit cost: $0.38 (Fiscal Year 2005).

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

I've done a bit of load "duplication" of M855 using pulled M855 bullets. The powder appears to be WC844. However remember that powder id non-annister. If you can get some milsurp then work up as your lot may not be the same as in the M855 you have. The powder weight of several different lots of M855 I have weighed is 26.8 gr +/- .2 gr. Velocity averages between 2950 fps and 3020 fps (Oehler M35P with middle screen at 15') out of 3 different M16/15A2s with 20" barrels depending on lot of M855 ammuntion. The M852 bullets weighs 62 gr.

H335 is a bit fast for this weight of bullet and pressures out before M855 velocity is reached. 748 is useable.

The best powder to use is AA2460. Note in Lymans manual that with a 63 gr bullet 27.6 gr is max for 50,000 CUP with 3147 fps out of a 24" barrel. I worked up to 27 gr of AA2460 (LC cases with WSR primers) with the M855 bullets. The bullets were crimped in the canelure groove with a Lee factory crimp die. I observed no pressure signs at the 27 gr level. However, 26.5 gr of AA2460 duplicates the M855 velocity at 3000 fps so that is the load I use. Accuracy is also equal to M855. I have used 3 different lots of AA2460 over the last 10 years and the velocity of that load has been within just a few fps of 3000 fps either way and that difference could have been just because of the day it was tested on. That is my standard duplication load for M855.

I also use that same load as my match load with 69 gr MKs. Velocity is 2960 fps out of my 9" twist Colt AR Comp.

That load also makes a fine load under the 64 gr Winchester PP for deer or antelope hunting. Velocity is 2970 fps out of a 7" twist 20" AR.

Larry Gibson

its the 62 grainers that I have, the reason I ask is I pulled some of these 62 grain green tip bullets and seated a 60vmax and they ran over 3250 from a 24" barrel with no pressure issues, which is a pretty sporty load with this bullet

cummins cowboy ; You may want to take note of the pressures at first it's not always apparent that a problem may exist . Be cautious and keep an Eye on those spent cartridges . BOL .

Here is standard issue 5.56mm M193 specs .
M193 Ball 182 gr (11.79 g) 2.26 in (57.4 mm) WC 844 or CMR 170 56 gr (3.63 g) 52,000 psi (3,656 kg/cm²) 3,250 fps (991 mps)

Not only have I read this ,it's also been my personal experience that ultimate velocity isn't conducive to precision accuracy !.

As a matter of fact near 225 fps slower yields superior accuracy . BOL with what your attempting to do .

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

Shoot Straight Know your target .