God forbid, if we ever had to go to war, which bullet type would you use? I understand that M193 is a 55 grain bullet intended for use in M16A1 barrels with a 1 in 12 inch twist rate.

What is the grain weight of SS109? I do know that this bullet was designed for the M16A2's 1 in 7 inch twist rate.

So which is the better UN personnel killer? Which would be better for a survival situation and what is the SS109's cost compared to M193?

From what I read, both are the same:

http://home.snafu.de/l.moeller/military_bullet_wound_patterns.html

However, a rule of thumb for wounding potential says that heavier grained bullets are better. A rifle with a 1x8 or 1x9 twist would be best all around. Since SS 109 ammo is not sold in local stores, I would opt for Black Hills 60 or 68 grain soft pointed match ammo. It's wounding potential ranks right up there or above the best .223 ammo out there.

themao [chainsawkill]

SS109 (M193) is 62 grain.

Some guys I've talked with seem to prefer the 55 gr. They are the experts down at MTU (Marksmanship Trng unit) so I guess they know what they are talking about. According to them some it is not due to weight but because SS109 is/can be really inaccurate. Mainly because the steel core has to be perfectly centered, or it's like a lawnmower with half a blade and goes off whichever way it wants to. (exaggeration but it can be very innacurate)

55 gr can be shot through nearly any twist from 1:7 to 1:12. 62gr cannot be shot through a 1:12 twist barrel.

I prefer 55 gr because I have a 1:9 twist in my primary SHTF gun so it stabilizes nicely. M193 equivilent ammo is plentiful and cheap, and accurate enough. I can accurately and consistently hit 300 yards open sights standing with 55gr winchester and a 14.5" barrel, so I figure what more do you need for a "combat" rifle.

You can buy SS109 all day long at [url]www.georgia-arms.com[/url].  A can of 500 SS109, which is 62 grain, costs $105.00 vs. $70.00 for 55gr FMJ.  Look under 'CANNED HEAT'.  You can also buy smaller quantities such as 50 for $14.00.  Look under 'VARMINT AMMUNITION'.  I would not want to be shot with either, but I think the 55gr will work fine.  I also like it for my original ArmaLite AR180's made back in the 60's and 70's which have a 1/12 twist.  I try to keep a quantity of both on hand, usually quite a bit more of the 55gr.

Personally, I have seen too many people have feed trouble with soft points that I stay away from them.

M4Guy, you make some very interesting points which make a lot of sense.  Never thought about the core causing a wobble, but I can see how that would be so.

The M193 has a tendency to tumble and fragment when it hits flesh, the SS109 is a penetrator round.  The SS109 will not tumble, it punches a clean .22 hole through the guy on the receiving end.  Note the problems with stopping power in Somalia, caused mostly by the bullet.