Test: M855 vs M855A1 is the M855A1 really that good?

Published on June 19, 2024
Duration: 20:40

This review compares M855 and M855A1 5.56mm ammunition, highlighting M855A1's superior terminal ballistics and fragmentation in gel tests. However, M855A1's higher chamber pressure and hardened steel tip cause accelerated rifle wear, reducing barrel life and damaging feed ramps, making it less suitable for high-volume civilian use despite its slightly better accuracy and negligible velocity gain.

Quick Summary

M855A1 ammunition offers superior terminal ballistics with better fragmentation and penetration in gel tests compared to M855. However, its higher pressure and hardened steel tip cause accelerated rifle wear, reducing barrel life and damaging feed ramps, making it less ideal for high-volume civilian use.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Intro: M855 vs M855A1 Comparison
  2. 01:11Bullet Design: M855 vs M855A1
  3. 02:04Chamber Pressure Differences
  4. 05:43M855 Ballistics Gel Test
  5. 08:21M855A1 Ballistics Gel Test
  6. 10:16Rifle Wear & Reliability Concerns
  7. 12:13Velocity Testing Results
  8. 14:33Accuracy Comparison
  9. 16:04Final Assessment: M855A1 vs M855

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between M855 and M855A1 ammunition?

M855 uses a lead core with a steel penetrator and copper jacket. M855A1 is lead-free, featuring a copper core and an exposed hardened steel tip, designed for higher pressures and improved terminal ballistics.

How does M855A1 affect rifle longevity compared to M855?

M855A1's higher chamber pressures and hardened steel tip cause significantly accelerated wear on barrels and feed ramps, potentially reducing barrel life by up to 50% compared to M855.

Which ammunition is more accurate, M855 or M855A1?

In the tested 18-inch barrel, M855A1 showed slightly better accuracy, producing a 2.1-inch group at 100 yards, compared to M855's 2.5-inch group.

Is M855A1 faster than M855 ammunition?

Tests from an 18-inch barrel showed negligible velocity differences, with M855 averaging 3031 FPS and M855A1 averaging 3039 FPS, indicating minimal gain in this specific setup.

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