Hi, I was hoping one of you would maybe have used British surplus 556mm rounds in the past?
I know the basic history of the 556 round, and how FN improved on it by giving it it a heavier bullet, requiring a tighter rifling twist etc, but I think the British round is slightly different; do any of you know if that is so?
I heard it was different because the SA-80 was designed using Royal Ordance ammunition. When the rifle was issued, and tested with FN type ammunition, the powder cycled the action too fast; resulting in there being residue pressure on the case walls still while the extractor was at work, causing stoppages similar to the early M16's in Vietnam.
This resulted in the SA-80 being withdrawn from the NATO rifle list, and the adoption on mass of the slightly different Royal Ordance ammunition, which has slightly slower burning powder.
This is the story I have heard anyway, do any of you know if British ammunition performes differently to FN type ammunition?
I know the basic history of the 556 round, and how FN improved on it by giving it it a heavier bullet, requiring a tighter rifling twist etc, but I think the British round is slightly different; do any of you know if that is so?
I heard it was different because the SA-80 was designed using Royal Ordance ammunition. When the rifle was issued, and tested with FN type ammunition, the powder cycled the action too fast; resulting in there being residue pressure on the case walls still while the extractor was at work, causing stoppages similar to the early M16's in Vietnam.
This resulted in the SA-80 being withdrawn from the NATO rifle list, and the adoption on mass of the slightly different Royal Ordance ammunition, which has slightly slower burning powder.
This is the story I have heard anyway, do any of you know if British ammunition performes differently to FN type ammunition?
