cartridges may cause deposits of the bullet-jacket
material (metal fouling) to form in the bore and rifling
grooves of the barrel. These tracer deposits are
extremely difficult to remove and are a potential safety
hazard. Therefore, when tracer ammunition is fired in
the M16 rifle, you should intermix it with ball
ammunition in a ratio of no less than four ball rounds to
each tracer round.
3. The dummy cartridge, M199, cannot be fired.
You can identify it by six lengthwise ridges in the case.
The dummy cartridge is for use in training only.
Figure 3-26.--5.56-mm ammunition for the M16A1.
4. The blank cartridge, M200, is for use in training
and ceremonial salutes. Its case mouth is closed with a
projectile (bullet), propellant, and primer. Based upon
rosette crimp that has a violet tip. You can identify it by
the type of projectile, the ammunition for use in the rifle
is classified as follows:
the knurled band around the lower portion of the case.
The grooves help identify the types of cartridges by feel
when you cannot see the colored tip in the dark
WARNING
Ammunition for the M16A1 and the
CARING AND CLEANING OF THE
M16A2E3 are not interchangeable.
RIFLE AND AMMUNITION
1. The ball cartridge, M193, is for field use and has
A clean, properly lubricated and maintained rifle
no distinguishing marks. When shot from the rifle, its
muzzle velocity is approximately 3,250 feet per second.
loaded with clean ammunition will fire when needed. In
It has a maximum range of 3,000 yards, but the
order to keep the rifle in good condition, it must have
maximum effective range is 500 yards.
care and cleaning. Under bad weather conditions, some
key parts may need care and cleaning several times a
2. The tracer cartridge, M196, is used to observe
day. The cleaning material, as shown in figure 3-27, used
fire and for incendiary effect. You can identify it by an
for the care of the rifle, is carried in the rifle stock
orange- or a red-painted tip, depending on the
Special attention must be given to the following areas:
ammunition lot number. The use of only tracer
Figure 3-27.--M16A1 and M16A2E3 rifle cleaning material.
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