AP Bullets

chasep255 · April 3, 2011, 08:09 PM

I heard from someone that firing Armor Piercing bullets can be bad for a barrel. I wanted to reload some AP rounds form my AR but not if they will damage my barrel. Any thoughts?

DnPRK · April 3, 2011, 08:37 PM

Nonsense. AP bullets have a copper jacket that protects the bore from the hardened core. During the '60s and '70s when match bullets were sometimes scarce, AP bullets were preferred because they were more uniform than FMJ bullets.

Clark · April 3, 2011, 10:32 PM

I saw John Benjamin a few times at machinery auctions. He would drive up to the greater Seattle area from the Portland area. He makes premium barrels all by himself.

I was talking about the 30-06 black tip AP bullets were producing better groups for me than Match Kings. He said those AP are bad for barrels.

He is a top state level competitor in high power, and I am just another guy at the range. What would be bad for his barrel might be so subtle, I would never know the difference in mine.

bamaranger · April 4, 2011, 04:15 PM

I've got a coffe can full of black tip M1 black tip pull down slugs, but have not shot any.

I'd heard that some found them more accurate. They are also longer than similar weight lead slugs, which might boost BC a bit.

Clifford L. Hughes · April 4, 2011, 05:03 PM

Chasep 255:

I have a Modle 70 Winchester that I have fired thousands of rounds of AP, ball and tracers through. It still shoots 1.0 to 1.25 inch groups with Nolser Ballastic Tips. I hope the this helps you decide.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired

Longdayjake · April 4, 2011, 05:22 PM

Well, theoretically the new m855a1 ammo could do some damage to the feed lips of a rifle, but I don't see how it could damage the inside of a barrel. Maybe they might do damage to the top of the chamber as well. Since the chamber is part of the barrel I guess you could say it may damage a barrel. The steel tip on the m855a1 is exposed. Other m855 is covered in copper and should be no worse for your barrel than a lead core.

April 3, 2011, 08:09 PM	#1
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	AP Bullets I heard from someone that firing Armor Piercing bullets can be bad for a barrel. I wanted to reload some AP rounds form my AR but not if they will damage my barrel. Any thoughts?

April 3, 2011, 10:32 PM	#3
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I saw John Benjamin a few times at machinery auctions. He would drive up to the greater Seattle area from the Portland area. He makes premium barrels all by himself. I was talking about the 30-06 black tip AP bullets were producing better groups for me than Match Kings. He said those AP are bad for barrels. He is a top state level competitor in high power, and I am just another guy at the range. What would be bad for his barrel might be so subtle, I would never know the difference in mine. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

April 4, 2011, 04:15 PM	#4
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,309	got a jar full I've got a coffe can full of black tip M1 black tip pull down slugs, but have not shot any. I'd heard that some found them more accurate. They are also longer than similar weight lead slugs, which might boost BC a bit.

April 4, 2011, 05:03 PM	#5
Clifford L. Hughes Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Location: Southern Californis Posts: 795	Clifford L. Hughes Chasep 255: I have a Modle 70 Winchester that I have fired thousands of rounds of AP, ball and tracers through. It still shoots 1.0 to 1.25 inch groups with Nolser Ballastic Tips. I hope the this helps you decide. Semper Fi. Gunnery Sergeant Clifford L. Hughes USMC Retired

April 4, 2011, 05:22 PM	#6
Longdayjake Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Posts: 619	Well, theoretically the new m855a1 ammo could do some damage to the feed lips of a rifle, but I don't see how it could damage the inside of a barrel. Maybe they might do damage to the top of the chamber as well. Since the chamber is part of the barrel I guess you could say it may damage a barrel. The steel tip on the m855a1 is exposed. Other m855 is covered in copper and should be no worse for your barrel than a lead core. __________________ If you need bullets for reloading give my website a look. www.rmrbullets.com

April 3, 2011, 08:37 PM	#2
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	Nonsense. AP bullets have a copper jacket that protects the bore from the hardened core. During the '60s and '70s when match bullets were sometimes scarce, AP bullets were preferred because they were more uniform than FMJ bullets.