for the SS109 or M855 yes! it either has the harden steel or
tungsten penetrator ! The US M855 is a hardened steel! does the
same effect! the 62 grain M855 still fragment but has to have
enough velocity to do that! the threshold seems to stay at 2700
fps!
Assuming true M193 or M855 ammo, velocity is the key. Velocity is
dependent on barrel length and environmental conditions.
As barrel length increases, the bullet is propelled faster by the
expanding gasses in the barrel, imparting more velocity on the
bullet, resulting in a longer range before a fired bullet drops
below 2700 fps. A shorter barrel imparts less velocity, and
therefore the bullet has less range.
Temperature, altitude and humidity are other factors. As
temperature or altitude increases, air becomes less dense and
bullets travel faster. Contrary to common conceptions, as humidity
increases air also becomes less dense and helps bullets retain
velocity.
It is important, then, to keep in mind that any statistics given
can only be approximate and can be affected by a wide range of
factors. But as a baseline, these numbers are what you could expect
for 75° F, 25% humidity, at sea level, from various barrel
lengths:
Distance to 2700 fps 55 grain M193 ss109 or M855
20" Barrel 190-200 m 140-150m
16" Barrel 140-150m 90-95m
14.5" Barrel 95-100m 45-50m
11.5" Barrel 40-50m 12-15m
As you can see, barrel length and ammo selection make a major
impact on fragmentation range.
However, the M855 will penetrate better than say a M80 7.62x51mm
ball at 600 meter on a M1 Steel helemet ! it will go thru both
ways! thats of course with a 20" barrel rifle!
DaveC