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Getting the lead out, literally: U.S. Army plans switch to ‘green’ bullets
dailycaller.com ^ | 07/24/2013

Posted on 07/24/2013 8:17:04 PM PDT by dennisw

The U.S. Army is taking the expression “get the lead out” quite literally and switching to lead-free, environmentally-friendly bullets.

The Army’s Picatinny Arsenal is working on a “green” version of the M80A1 7.62 mm bullet, which troops are supposed to start being issued in 2014, according to an Army press release.

The Army has been looking to “green” small caliber ammo for some time now. In 2010, the Army began switched to the greener 5.56 mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round. Ads by Google

“The EPR replaces the lead slug with a copper slug,” said Lt. Col. Phil Clark, product manager for small caliber ammunition in the Program Executive Officer Ammunition. “This makes the projectile environmentally-friendly, while still giving soldiers the performance capabilities they need on the battlefield. So far we have eliminated 1,994 metric tons of lead from 5.56 ammunition production.”

“Thirty-two grains of lead are eliminated per M855A1 projectile, and 114.5 grains of lead will be eliminated per M80A1 projectile,” according to the Army.

The Army projects that the use of green 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition could eliminate the purchase of 3,683 metric tons of lead between 2013 and 2018.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; greenammo; lead
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1 posted on 07/24/2013 8:17:04 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: dennisw

More lead for civilian ammo?


2 posted on 07/24/2013 8:18:54 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not really out to get you.)
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To: dennisw
watch the price of copper go through the roof... que bono?
3 posted on 07/24/2013 8:18:56 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: dennisw

Of course, it will cost twice as much.


4 posted on 07/24/2013 8:19:23 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( ==> sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: Paleo Conservative

Cheap surplus ammo? (dream on)


5 posted on 07/24/2013 8:20:11 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( ==> sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: dennisw

I feel SO much safer knowing my Green Army is protecting me. Just like I feel all warm and fuzzy when the Air Force and Navy spend billions on green replacement fuels that cost 10x normal fuels.


6 posted on 07/24/2013 8:20:34 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Chode

So, I guess depleted Uranusium rounds are right out, then?

I had plans to exterminate a few squirrels in the ‘hood. Bummer.


7 posted on 07/24/2013 8:20:49 PM PDT by West Texas Chuck (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. That should be a convenience store, not a Government Agency.)
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To: Paleo Conservative

California is already working on banning lead.


8 posted on 07/24/2013 8:21:02 PM PDT by Lurkina.n.Learnin (If global warming exists I hope it is strong enough to reverse the Big Government snowball)
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To: dennisw

Copper slugs are worse for the environment, as well as more poisonouus for animal life, than lead.


9 posted on 07/24/2013 8:21:17 PM PDT by Hardraade (http://junipersec.wordpress.com (Obama: the bearded lady of Muslim Brotherhood))
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To: dennisw; uncitizen; GeronL; All

Commie Obama and wussy John Boehner continue the wussification of America.


10 posted on 07/24/2013 8:22:17 PM PDT by Graewoulf (Traitor John Roberts' Commune-Style Obama'care' violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: dennisw

I seem to recall reading where ATF ruled solid copper to be armor piercing which would mean the end of surplus ammo.


11 posted on 07/24/2013 8:22:19 PM PDT by fso301
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To: dennisw

Since when is copper environmentally friendly?


12 posted on 07/24/2013 8:22:19 PM PDT by lacrew (Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)
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To: dennisw

Jocelyn Elders’ “safer bullets”?


13 posted on 07/24/2013 8:23:19 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dennisw

Boy copper is going to just go straight through with minimal damage. I don’t think that will be very effective in a battle situation.


14 posted on 07/24/2013 8:25:03 PM PDT by Lurkina.n.Learnin (If global warming exists I hope it is strong enough to reverse the Big Government snowball)
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To: Hardraade

Copper combines with acid rain and makes cupric cyanate sufate , deadly poisonous


15 posted on 07/24/2013 8:25:06 PM PDT by bunkerhill7 (("The Second Amendment has no limits on firepower"-NY State Senator Kathleen A. Marchione.))
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To: dennisw

Sure, why not?
The taxpayers will foot the difference in cost. /s


16 posted on 07/24/2013 8:25:56 PM PDT by mylife (Ted Cruz understands the law, and he does not fear the unlawful.)
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To: dfwgator

Tofu bullets are next.


17 posted on 07/24/2013 8:26:40 PM PDT by MtnClimber (TEA Party, DOMA, Patriot, Constitution, 9/12, Anti-communist...There, come and get me zer0!)
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To: dennisw

This figures, right now copper cost is about 3.5 times more than lead.


18 posted on 07/24/2013 8:26:54 PM PDT by jazusamo ("I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white." T. Sowell)
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To: MtnClimber

Or rubber ones


19 posted on 07/24/2013 8:28:16 PM PDT by bigbob
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To: dennisw

I would hope Congress would look into this. It’s one thing for civilians to be forced to deal with green fools, but the military is another thing entirely.


20 posted on 07/24/2013 8:29:04 PM PDT by PghBaldy (12/14 - 930am -rampage begins... 12/15 - 1030am - Obama's advance team scouts photo-op locations.)
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