Marines Adopt Enhanced Combat Cartridge

by
posted on March 13, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
marine_cartridge.jpg

Battlefield demands on today’s service cartridges are greater than ever, so when the U.S. Marine Corps noted deficiencies in its M855 (5.56x45 mm NATO) during the past dozen or so years, it determined to seek an upgrade. It found one in the 62-gr., copper-core M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) already in service with the U.S. Army. According to Marine Corps Times, citing Chris Woodburn of the Corps’ Combat Development command, “The M855A1 provides improved performance over the current M855 5.56 mm round in a lead-free form factor and provides improved steel penetration, hard- and soft-target terminal effects, with more consistent terminal effects than the M855 at ranges out to 600 meters.” marines.mil   GuySagi.com image

Latest

Mossberg 990 Magpul shotgun
Mossberg 990 Magpul shotgun

New for 2026: Mossberg 990 Magpul and 990 SPX Aftershock

Mossberg steps up its 990 game with a new Magpul shotgun and SPX firearm.

New for 2026: Gemtech Nebula 5.7 Direct-Thread Suppressor

Gemtech’s Nebula is a 5.7x28 mm-specific sound suppressor.

I Have This Old Gun: De Lisle Commando Carbine

The De Lisle "Commando Carbine," as it came to be known, provided British special operators with a suppressed firearm that could be used to take out targets without arousing the attention of nearby troops.

Q&A: Same Cartridge, Two Different Primer Types

Q: How do No. 34 large rifle primers from CCI differ from the standard large rifle type?

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ Pistol

Stoeger refines its STR-9 Thinline pistol to be even easier to carry.

Finding The Natural Point Of Aim

Nearly every shooter understands the basic principles of marksmanship: position, grip, sight alignment, breathing, trigger control and follow-through.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.