SA80 and M16 Rifles

HC Deb 29 June 1998 vol 315 c12W

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the bullets used by British forces using(a) SA80 and (b) M16 rifles have tumbling action. [47044]

Dr. Reid

The large majority of bullets used by British Forces in SA80 and M16 rifles are known as ball or tracer rounds. Armour-piercing rounds are also used. These bullets are categorised as spin-stabilised, non-deforming bullets. All spin-stabilised bullets will tumble to some degree when they hit a human target.