I found this site this morning. Interesting reading.
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/rifle/556mm_ammo.html
There are TWO types of M855 5.56mm Ammo. There is the Lead Free for "CLEAN RANGES" and that is quite possibly what they were trying to issue to us. The web site has diagrams of the cartridges and it is easy to see what I refer to. "Cartridge, 5.56mm, Ball, M855, Lead Free
The M855 "lead free" ball cartridge has a bullet with a conical steel insert and a tungsten composite core in a copper alloy jacket. The intended use is to maintain environmentally "clean" ranges.
The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip."
"Cartridge, 5.56mm, Ball, M855
The cartridge is used by the M249 machine gun and the M16A2/A3/A4 and M4-series weapons. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel and unarmored targets. This is a training standard item used in both training and combat.
The M855 cartridge has a 62-grain, gilded metal-jacketed, lead alloy core bullet with a steel penetrator. The primer and case are waterproof.
This ammunition should not be used in the M16A1 except under emergency conditions, and only at targets less than 90 meters in distance. (The twist of the M16A1 rifling is not sufficient to stabilize the heavier projectile of the round).
The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip.
Type Classification: STD - MSR 05826003. Type Classification Date: 1982."
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/rifle/556mm_ammo.html
There are TWO types of M855 5.56mm Ammo. There is the Lead Free for "CLEAN RANGES" and that is quite possibly what they were trying to issue to us. The web site has diagrams of the cartridges and it is easy to see what I refer to. "Cartridge, 5.56mm, Ball, M855, Lead Free
The M855 "lead free" ball cartridge has a bullet with a conical steel insert and a tungsten composite core in a copper alloy jacket. The intended use is to maintain environmentally "clean" ranges.
The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip."
"Cartridge, 5.56mm, Ball, M855
The cartridge is used by the M249 machine gun and the M16A2/A3/A4 and M4-series weapons. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel and unarmored targets. This is a training standard item used in both training and combat.
The M855 cartridge has a 62-grain, gilded metal-jacketed, lead alloy core bullet with a steel penetrator. The primer and case are waterproof.
This ammunition should not be used in the M16A1 except under emergency conditions, and only at targets less than 90 meters in distance. (The twist of the M16A1 rifling is not sufficient to stabilize the heavier projectile of the round).
The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip.
Type Classification: STD - MSR 05826003. Type Classification Date: 1982."