1. Amanda Kaster
Technical Writing
Amber Welch
28 September, 2016
Technical Description: Bullet
For the United States Military-Army to be able to properly and effectively do their job, it
is important to understand the materials they use and why. The most common use of equipment
is the M16 semi-automatic machine gun. For military audiences to understand the use of this
gun, they must understand and identify all factors of the type of bullets used. The bullet 5.56mm
Nato-ball round was created for the military to successfully hit their target without giving away
their position. Knowing about the ball round bullet will help soldiers properly shoot and identify
these bullets when found in other locations. The 5.56mm is one of the most frequently used
bullets do to their size, shape, and capabilities.
Background
Before the 5.56mm M193 bullet was used, the military used M855. The M855 was
decided to become unusable do to the accuracy of this bullet. According to Nick Leghorn (2015)
the M855 ammunition was very inaccurate once it past the point of 150 feet (p.1). Knowing the
military targets are on average, longer than 150 feet. Congress decided to ban the “armor
piercing” ammunition and replace it with something more accurate; 5.56mm M193 Nato-ball
round ammunition.
Description
The bullet 5.56mm Nato-ball round is issued in a
complete rounds cartridge which includes
cartridge case, bullets, propellant powder, and
primer. This cartridge is known as the M193.

2. The total size of each bullet is 2.26 inches long.
This includes .76 inches for the jacket. The Nato-
ball round used the full metal jacket which is the
small projectile. The jacket includes a soft core
called the Slug.
The ammunition consists of multiple materials. The Jacket is
cooper with lead antimony alloy core in the center. The
projectile which is the tip of the bullet is made up of steel core.
Using a strong solid material in the top of the bullet creates the
bullet to be balanced and accurate.
According to Gary’s United States Infantry Weapons Reference Guide (2005) the 5.56mm
weights 62 grains when combining all materials and bullet parts (p.5). To better understand, 62
grains is equivalent to .14 ounces. The total weight of the cartridge is 182gr. combining all
materials and weight, each individual bullet costs 24 cents.
For the ammunition to excel the M16 or
M16A1 rifles, the ammunition must be held
in service temperatures of -54c/52c and for
safety temperatures held at -54c/71c. When
bullets are appropriately placed in rifles, the
muzzle has a velocity of 930miles/second.

3. References:
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/rifle/556mm_ammo.html photo and description
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/03/foghorn/the-truth-about-m855-5-56-nato-
ammunition/
https://www.nammo.com/globalassets/pdfs/ammobook/nammo_produktkatalog_2014_web.pdf
Photo: https://www.classicfirearms.com/imi-m193-556x45-30-rd-boxboat-tail-ammo
Photo http://www.byrontaylor.com/m16/T3P2.html
Photo: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/03/foghorn/the-truth-about-m855-5-56-nato-
ammunition/
Photo: http://www.worldbulletin.net/haberler/162642/us-marines-with-unlicensed-arms-
detained-in-vienna