The M-4 Carbine

SPC Gary Basom — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 02:10:32 -0500

Serious tradeoff in stopping power?

Response by SPC Gary Basom made Nov 24 at 2013 2:13 AM

SPC Gary Basom — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 02:13:38 -0500

I noticed that the reduced spin rate did not allow the bullet to tumble in the target as it did on the M-16A1 and stop the enemy.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Nov 24 at 2013 5:20 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 05:20:41 -0500

Ballistically, I haven't seen anything that shows any remarkable difference between the the 5.56 MM round fired from an M16A1, A2, or M4.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2013 9:10 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 09:10:15 -0500

Good enough for government work!

Response by SSgt Daniel Jaburg made Jan 27 at 2014 10:39 PM

SSgt Daniel Jaburg — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:39:24 -0500

Certainly one aspect to the debate is the variety of ammo available now compared to when the M16 was the main rifle. From high velocity to armor piercing, there's a wider variety of round types. Also to deal with the twist rate differences, different size and type bullet could be employed, not to mention various powder types. Now they're still using IMR-3031 as their main propellant and typically a 62 Gr bullet. But different weight and shape bullets along with powder types can significantly affect the accuracy and lethality of the round.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 12:05 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:05:47 -0500

I would say that "Serious trade-off" would depend on how much of a difference "Serious" is.

A 14.5 barrel with a velocity of 2970 (or there abouts) is going to be very similar in "stopping power" as a 3100fps 20" barrel. Neither one has enough force to be that much of a contender when you put it up against something like the 6.8SPC or other newer wildcat cartridge.

Here are the actual numbers between the two in ft-lbs (or stopping power).

M16 @500 yards 133ft-lbs
M4 @500 yards 127ft-lbs

It is widely accepted that to "humanely" harvest a deer you should have at least 800ft-lbs, which the M16 loses at just over 100 yards.

Both were made for "close quaters" battle, they aren't made to take down people at 500 yards. You can hit them, and you absolutely can kill them but it is likely that it will be a slow and painful death, vs a quick and clean one.

Again, neither one is really a "stopping power" king of the hill. They both suck in that area. Then again so does the AK47.