Green Tip .223 Ammo???

Warhorse · June 25, 2006, 08:35 PM

I just got a box of Lake City .223 Remington 62 grain SS109 XMB55PD Green Tip FMJ ammo.

I'm a bit of a newcomer to the AR-15 and am still well down on the learning curve. Can anyone enlighten me as to the meaning of "Green Tip?" While you're at it, what does SS109 and XMB55PD mean?

Would appreciate any info or at least a source where I can look it up.
Thanks.

BTW, if this is the wrong forum, I would also appreciate a redirect.

itman · June 25, 2006, 09:11 PM

ar15.com is all you need my friend

5whiskey · June 25, 2006, 09:14 PM

The green tip is what DOD paints on their 855 ball ammo to distinguish from tracers (I guess they thought the absence of the orange magnesium wasn't enough). It actually is needed, because it is hard to tell in low light. Not sure about the nomenclature, though XMB55PD looks strikingly familiar to M855. That's the DODIC for standard 5.56 ball the DOD uses. I'm sure that ammo is supposed to be a replica for M855 ball, so it probably has a steel penetrator.

DonR101395 · June 25, 2006, 09:55 PM

It's also used to ditinguish it from the 55gr ball. the 855 is 62gr.

HorseSoldier · June 25, 2006, 10:33 PM

The primary reason for the painted tip was to distinguish it from 55 grain ball, not tracer ammunition. Since performance goes to hell when you shoot 62 grain ammo out of M16A1s it was deemed an essential sort of thing, though these days it does not matter nearly as much since most everyone has switched over (may still be some USAR or NG guys equipped with A1s, maybe some USAF units as well).

Warhorse · June 26, 2006, 07:10 AM

Thanks for all the responses. That was exactly what I wanted to know.

Apparently, I misread the XM855PD as XMB55PD. The "8" looked more like a "B" to me but it actually was an "8."

The next step is to see how accurate it is in my AR. (That's a whole different subject.) If it ever stops raining here, I'll get myself to the range.

BUSTER51 · June 26, 2006, 07:21 PM

WHAT YOU HAVE IS M855/SS109 SECOUNDS ,not front line ammo issued to our troops .that is what the PD is all about .no worries it's all good you will find a defective round every now and then but on the whole it shoots great,just check every round as you load your mags.

226 · July 5, 2006, 10:38 AM

What you have is NATO 5.56MM, not .233. Not all rifles are safe to shoot 5.56MM. Check.

What does ATK's "XM" prefix and "PD" suffix actually mean?

Ammo Oracle

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June 25, 2006, 08:35 PM	#1
Warhorse Member Join Date: May 26, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 23	Green Tip .223 Ammo??? I just got a box of Lake City .223 Remington 62 grain SS109 XMB55PD Green Tip FMJ ammo. I'm a bit of a newcomer to the AR-15 and am still well down on the learning curve. Can anyone enlighten me as to the meaning of "Green Tip?" While you're at it, what does SS109 and XMB55PD mean? Would appreciate any info or at least a source where I can look it up. Thanks. BTW, if this is the wrong forum, I would also appreciate a redirect. __________________ Speak softly but carry a big stick. -T. Roosevelt Warhorse

June 26, 2006, 07:10 AM	#6
Warhorse Member Join Date: May 26, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 23	Thanks Thanks for all the responses. That was exactly what I wanted to know. Apparently, I misread the XM855PD as XMB55PD. The "8" looked more like a "B" to me but it actually was an "8." The next step is to see how accurate it is in my AR. (That's a whole different subject.) If it ever stops raining here, I'll get myself to the range. __________________ Speak softly but carry a big stick. -T. Roosevelt Warhorse

June 25, 2006, 09:11 PM	#2
itman Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2005 Posts: 199	ar15.com is all you need my friend

June 25, 2006, 09:14 PM	#3
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 1,360	The green tip is what DOD paints on their 855 ball ammo to distinguish from tracers (I guess they thought the absence of the orange magnesium wasn't enough). It actually is needed, because it is hard to tell in low light. Not sure about the nomenclature, though XMB55PD looks strikingly familiar to M855. That's the DODIC for standard 5.56 ball the DOD uses. I'm sure that ammo is supposed to be a replica for M855 ball, so it probably has a steel penetrator.

June 25, 2006, 09:55 PM	#4
DonR101395 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: NWFL Posts: 3,029	It's also used to ditinguish it from the 55gr ball. the 855 is 62gr.

June 25, 2006, 10:33 PM	#5
HorseSoldier Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: OCONUS 61°13′06″N 149°53′57″W Posts: 2,282	The primary reason for the painted tip was to distinguish it from 55 grain ball, not tracer ammunition. Since performance goes to hell when you shoot 62 grain ammo out of M16A1s it was deemed an essential sort of thing, though these days it does not matter nearly as much since most everyone has switched over (may still be some USAR or NG guys equipped with A1s, maybe some USAF units as well).

June 26, 2006, 07:21 PM	#7
BUSTER51 Junior member Join Date: December 28, 2004 Location: PHOENIX, AZ Posts: 992	WHAT YOU HAVE IS M855/SS109 SECOUNDS ,not front line ammo issued to our troops .that is what the PD is all about .no worries it's all good you will find a defective round every now and then but on the whole it shoots great,just check every round as you load your mags.

July 5, 2006, 10:38 AM	#8
226 Member Join Date: May 7, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 99	What you have is NATO 5.56MM, not .233. Not all rifles are safe to shoot 5.56MM. Check. What does ATK's "XM" prefix and "PD" suffix actually mean? Ammo Oracle ...