Ball vs Extruded powder.......

[Rocky Raab]

The military 5.56mm round was originally developed using an extruded powder. After the military bought the gun, it changed the spec to ball powder - against the objections of the gun designer.

Because ball powder burns a bit cooler, and has more deterrent coating, it tends to create more fouling, and fouling that's harder to remove. Worse, the early M-16s didn't come with ANY cleaning gear, and the incorrect myth was that they never needed cleaning. Lives were lost because of that misinformation and supply goof.

Since then, both the rifle AND the ball powder have been changed to eliminate the problem. Cleaning gear was developed, too.

You needn't worry about ball powder in any gun today. Normal cleaning takes take of what minimal fouling still accumulates.