What is M855 green tip good for?

If you’re a regular reader of firearm news and issues, then you’ve surely come across the recent stir around the M855 / SS109 round. These rounds, commonly known as “green tip” rounds because of their color coding, are designed for use with the AR platform in the popular caliber of 5.56.

What can M855 penetrate?

Although it’s not an armor-piercing round, the EPR can penetrate 3/8 inch-thick mild steel at distances approaching 400 meters (based on the range at which 50 percent of the rounds can pass through the barrier). The M855 only penetrates this material out to approximately 160 meters.

Is M855 bad for your gun?

Using M855 as a self-defense round could lead to unwanted legal issues. The fact that M193 rounds break apart when hitting targets makes them the better choice for home defense. If you’re looking for accuracy at distances and your rifle barrel has the appropriate twist rate, then keep some 62gr green tips on hand.

Is M855 good for home defense?

What is the Best 5.56 Ammo For Home Defense? M855 is useful in other situations such as punching through cover and concealment, but its utility in those situations means it’s not the best 5.56 ammo to use inside the home. This brings us to the last two rounds in our test, the 55 grain M193 and the 69 grain Fiocchi.

How accurate is M855 ammo?

During my 26 years in the Army, the average accuracy from M855 Green Tip I observed averaged between 2 and 3.5 MOA. So, when the military said the new EPR round was “better” (but not by how much) that did not instill much desire in me to give M855A1 a serious look.

Do heavier bullets need more twist?

While it may just seem like a bunch of confusing numbers, knowing your rifle’s twist rate may actually be more important than you think. Because heavier bullets are naturally longer, if you’re shooting a projectile with a heavier grain weight, you’ll want to shoot it from a barrel with a faster twist rate.