[spqrzilla9]

The sniper's .223-caliber, high-intensity ammunition is designed for soldiers and hunters to inflict deep and widening wounds by fragmenting after tearing into victims.

Another myth repeated by the gun-hating NYT. Military ammunition, being full-metal jacketed, cannot legally be used for hunting big game in almost all states. Further, .223 is considered too weak to be legal for big game in many states e.g., Colorado. And a round designed to fragment would violate the Hague Convention. Typical of the NYT's gun-phobic and dishonest editors.

[El Gato]

And a round designed to fragment would violate the Hague Convention.

Be that as it may, the 5.56 usually does fragment, at the place where the bullet is crimped into the case. It does so after yawing at least 90 degrees, it often sheds its jacket too. The 5.45x39 (Russian) behaves similarly, although it's yaw cycle is shorter and thus it might yaw 360 degrees and more. See this site for more information on the terminal ballistics properties of various catridge/bullet combinations. The M193 and M855 FMJ 5.56X45 are the old and new military FMJ ammunition in question. One reason not to use for hunting, and use a SP type of bullet instead is that it ruins too much meat, depending on shot placement of course. The .222 Remington SP is an example of the latter type of hunting ammunition.