Whether you are new to shooting, or are well versed in firearms, you’re likely to come across green tip ammo at some point in your journey. But green tip ammo is not without controversy. Today, ModGuns is going to take a look at what makes green tip ammo different from others, and dispel the rumors so you can stay well informed. Let’s go!
So What Exactly is Green Tip Ammo?
Green tip ammo is the colloquial name given to U.S. Military M855 rounds. The nickname is derived from the green painted tip of the cartridge.
These rounds were originally developed by the Belgian arms manufacturer FN Herstal in the 1970s. Known initially as SS109 rounds, they were quickly adopted by NATO as the standard 5.56x45mm round after winning their standardization trials. They were selected due to their ability to penetrate light armor at increased distances over other similar 5.56 rounds.
What sets this form of ammunition apart from others is the partial steel core. Unlike rounds with lead cores, the M855 green tip consists of a partial steel core, inside a copper jacket. In addition, a 7 grain steel tip was added, increasing the round’s weight to 62 grains. The heavier round with a partial steel core gives this projectile the ability to penetrate light armor, such as walls and helmets, at longer distances.
In the early 1980’s, the U.S. Military adopted the SS109 as its standard 5.56 round, replacing the previous M193 round. The U.S. Military subsequently changed the name to the M855 round, and began painting the tip green in order to distinguish it from the lighter M193 round. Though the M193 was phased out over time, the tradition of painting the tip green has carried on.
Today, when the U.S. Military has a surplus of M855 rounds, they are sold to the general public and known commonly as green tip ammunition.
Best Use Cases for Green Tip Ammo
Green tip ammo has become a popular round, due to its relatively low cost and high availability. Because it is substantially more powerful than M193 rounds, it is best used for long range target practice. Some hunters also prefer its long range stopping power for hunting wild boar and varmint animals. Still, green tip ammo is among the more affordable options, and due to its role as a standard military round, it is commonly available as military surplus rounds.
Green Tip Ammo Controversy - Is It Really Armor Piercing?
The source of controversy surrounding green tip ammunition stems around whether or not it is considered to be “armor piercing”.
Sometimes known as “penetrator” rounds, the nature of the green tip has caused confusion as detractors and gun control advocates often cite the NATO trials that show that green tip rounds can pierce a helmet at long distance.
While green tip ammo is certainly capable of piercing light barriers, such as wood, glass, or even metal, they do not meet the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms’ (ATF) criteria for armor piercing rounds.
True armor piercing rounds are specifically designed to defeat ballistic armor and protective shields. As defined by the ATF, Armor piercing rounds typically feature:
“A projectile core […] constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium.”
Green tip ammo features a partial steel core, with roughly 80% lead, and thus does not meet the ATF criteria for armor piercing rounds.
Green tip ammunition is legally sold around the country, though we do highly suggest you consult your local and state laws to confirm its legality in your area before purchasing them for your usage.
With that said, green tip ammo is certainly still a very powerful round, and proper handling protocol should always be adhered to when shooting these, or any other rounds.
Green Tip Ammo and Shooting Ranges
For those who often shoot at ranges, you may have noticed that many of them specifically ban green tip ammo from being used.
That is because many shooting ranges use steel backdrops behind their targets. These targets are designed to withstand a high volume of shots before needing to be replaced, but due to their heavier weight and partial steel core, green tip rounds are more likely to damage steel backdrops. They even have the potential to pass through the backdrop, causing potential harm to others.
For this reason, many shooting ranges simply opt to bar green tip ammo from being used. However, that doesn’t mean that all ranges disallow this type of ammunition. Always check with the range before attempting to use green tip ammo.
Is Green Tip Ammo Sufficient for Home Protection?
While green tip ammo can be used for home protection, it is not advised. Due to their substantial power, they have the potential to penetrate the target in close range, and continue forward through walls or other barriers, potentially endangering bystanders.
Conclusion
Green tip ammo is a powerful round that has seen its fair share of controversy regarding civilian use. Despite the confusion, green tip ammo is NOT legally considered an armor piercing round by the ATF, and is available for purchase throughout the country. For AR-15 platform owners, it is a widely available and cost effective round to use for target practice, hunting and general recreational usage.
At Modguns, we take great pride in educating our clients on firearms, ammunition, and safety. We sell a wide variety of modular parts and accessories for firearms from all manufacturers. Let us help you find the right modifications for your needs, with our unmatched customer service and support. Contact us today!