Ammo ID help

[spelingmastir]

Moved to AMMO forum

[spelingmastir]

I inherited some 5.56 ammo packaged in 20 round boxes. They are labeled "L3A1 5.56 BALL." Google didn't give me anything on this. Does anyone know what this is and/or have any experience with this? Thanks!

[TOrrock]

It's British, probably Radway Green. Is there a RG on the back of he case?

[Iraqgunz]

Are you sure it reads L3A1 and not L2A1? I am pretty sure that L3A1 is 7.62x51 ammo. Can you post pics of the packaging or headstamp? If it is L2A1 you may encounter some malfunctions with it when using a carbine. If you look in this forum you may run across a similar post.

[spelingmastir]

Thanks for the replies! I may have misread the boxes but will send a picture tonight. It was just a whole bunch of 20 round boxes. I see that L2A1 is supposed to be an SS109 equivalent but there is no green tip on this stuff.

[Safetyhit]

Are you sure it reads L3A1 and not L2A1? I am pretty sure that L3A1 is 7.62x51 ammo.

I know that Radway L2A2 is .308, but am only pretty sure that the L3A1 is indeed 5.56.

Also OP, the green tips are not always present on SS109.

[Iraqgunz]

Either is the IMI stuff. If I recall correctly only the U.S puts the green on the M855 ammo.

Thanks for the replies! I may have misread the boxes but will send a picture tonight. It was just a whole bunch of 20 round boxes. I see that L2A1 is supposed to be an SS109 equivalent but there is no green tip on this stuff.

[Iraqgunz]

It would appear that the designator isn't very reliable. I have also seen L2A2 ammo that was clearly marked on the can as 5.56.

I know that Radway L2A2 is .308, but am only pretty sure that the L3A1 is indeed 5.56.

Also OP, the green tips are not always present on SS109.

[Safetyhit]

Either is the IMI stuff. If I recall correctly only the U.S puts the green on the M855 ammo.

Not to be your nemesis today, but I owned many a box of green tipped IMI over the years. In fact it is still my favorite (though not because of the green tip ).

Radway also made a bunch of green tips, but there seems to be less of them available these days.

[Iraqgunz]

No worries. It appears that it's hit or miss. The stuff being sold at Wideners and Scottsdale Gun Club is not marked.

All of the RG stuff I saw in Iraq was standard (no color).

Not to be your nemesis today, but I owned many a box of green tipped IMI over the years. In fact it is still my favorite (though not because of the green tip ).

Radway also made a bunch of green tips, but there seems to be less of them available these days.