Hey Ghostz: Powder charge difference in M16 rifles

[S.S.]

The first powder that the military used burned cleaner,
then they started playing with different powders and it sorta'
went down hill from there in Viet-Nam.
The humidity in that place (and any other tropical region)
made the residue "Gum Up" in the action and gas tube.
The rounds would quickly begin not to fully seat in the chamber
and soon it would no longer go "BANG" when you needed it to.

[Mikey]

Hay SS:  Howdy!  I understand that when the 5.56 was first loaded it used Winchester Ball Powder to attain its magical 3250'/sec with a 55 gn bullet but due to functioning problems another powder was used and the velocity dropped by a couple of hundred ft/sec.  

In addition there was the problem of corrosion in unlined bores (not chrome lined) and that pits in the chambers also caused malfunctions with the rifleman having to knock the empty case out with a cleaning rod.  

I'm not 100% positive about point numero uno but I recall hearing that early on with the M16.

[redial]

Mikey,

If memory serves, the first fielded powder was IMR 8208M - an extruded powder with an allegedly high calcium content, which was cited as reason for its replacement. Now, I don't have the first idea why calcium content affects the functioning of the weapon or why the boards felt it warranted substituting powders, but that's what I remember of the issue.

Today's Plastic Fantastic is about as good as one can make it. I shoot it exclusively when competing (doing very well, thank you  :grin: ) but if I had to shoot for blood again, I'd surely grab an M14. Heavy is always better than broken, IMO.

Redial

[1911crazy]

Hay SS:  Howdy!  I understand that when the 5.56 was first loaded it used Winchester Ball Powder to attain its magical 3250'/sec with a 55 gn bullet but due to functioning problems another powder was used and the velocity dropped by a couple of hundred ft/sec.  

In addition there was the problem of corrosion in unlined bores (not chrome lined) and that pits in the chambers also caused malfunctions with the rifleman having to knock the empty case out with a cleaning rod.  

I'm not 100% positive about point numero uno but I recall hearing that early on with the M16.

The first thought was if "STONER" didn't design it with chrome bores/chambers it didn't need it!!!!!  How wrong he was??                      BigBill

[Mikey]

Redial - thanks, that makes sense, as calcium attracts moisture which would work to corrode chambers and bores.  And thanks for correcting me on the powder charges.  I knew Winchester ball powder came in at some point but couldn't remember if it was before or after the problems were noted.  

And BigBill - you're right Buddy, old Stoner missed it on that one but ya know, I think we (USA) had gone to the use of non-corrosive primers exclusively by that time and he prolly figgered he didn't need it.  Too bad for him, the Stoner system was a great platform and could easily have become the standard issue system for our troops.  Mikey.