Mk 262: Difference between revisions

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The Mk 262 (Mark 262) is a match quality 5.56x45mm NATO round manufactured by Black Hills Ammunition made originally for the Special Purpose Rifle (SPR). This round uses a 77 grain bullet that is more effective at longer ranges than the standard issue M855 round. The bullet is 24% heavier than the SS109/M855 62-grain bullet used in 5.56 mm NATO.

The Mk 262 mod 0, was initially adopted for special forces units for use with the Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle 5.56mm sniper rifle. While some limited use has been made of the ammunition with [M4 Carbine|M4A1 carbine rifles]], the Mk 262 round remains primarily in use with 5.56mm sniper rifles and designated marksmans rifles. Despite numerous rumors and claims on the internet to the contrary, most units, even special operations units, continue to use standard M885 ammunition.

Two versions of the round have been procured to date. Initial production runs, designated Mark 262 Mod 0, lacked a cannelure. Subsequent production, designated Mk 262 Mod 1, added a cannelure to the bullet to improve seating in the cartridge case.

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 The '''Mk 262''' (Mark 262) is a match quality [[5.56x45mm NATO]] round manufactured by [http://www.black-hills.com Black Hills Ammunition] made originally for the [[United States Navy Mark 12 Mod X Special Purpose Rifle|Special Purpose Rifle (SPR)]].  This [[Cartridge (firearms)|round]] uses a 77 grain bullet that is more effective at longer ranges than the standard issue [[M855]] round.  The bullet is 24% heavier than the SS109/M855 62-grain bullet used in 5.56 mm NATO.
+The Mk 262 mod 0, was initially adopted for [[special forces]] units for use with the [[Mark 12]] Special Purpose Rifle 5.56mm sniper rifle.  While some limited use has been made of the ammunition with [M4 Carbine|M4A1 carbine rifles]], the Mk 262 round remains primarily in use with 5.56mm sniper rifles and designated marksmans rifles.  Despite numerous rumors and claims on the internet to the contrary, most units, even special operations units, continue to use standard [[M885]] ammunition.
-The Mk 262 mod 0, became popular among [[special forces]] operators who became increasingly vocal about the poor [[ballistics]] characteristics of the standard issue [[M855]] ammunition when used with the shorter 14.5 inch barrel [[M4 Carbine|M4A1 carbine rifles]].  So far, many U.S. troops serving in both [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]] have had good results with the Mk 262.  There are numerous [[anecdotes]] that demonstrate the increased lethality of this round.  Whether the Mk 262 round will prevent an entry of a newer round from replacing the NATO 5.56x45mm in the long-term remains to be seen.  In the near-term, however, the [[U.S. Navy]], [[Marines]], [[U.S. Army|Army]], and [[U.S. Air Force|Air Force]] have increased their orders for the Mk 262 in their fiscal year 2007 budgets.
+Two versions of the round have been procured to date.  Initial production runs, designated Mark 262 Mod 0, lacked a cannelure.  Subsequent production, designated Mk 262 Mod 1, added a cannelure to the bullet to improve seating in the cartridge case.
 ==See also==