The JAG opinion cited earlier dealt with the use of the Sierra HPBT sniper round. The round was found to be in compliance with the Hague Convention since the hollow point feature was an accuracy enhancement and neither was designed to affect the expansion characteristics of the bullet, nor did it do so in practice.
However, the convention limitations on ammunition only applies to conflict between nation states who are signatories of the convention and the uniformed regularly enrolled uniformed military forces of said states. While the US may, or may not, have signed said agreements (been about 40 years for me too), we do comply with them.
Having said all the above, terrorists are outside the scope of the agreement. The Spec-Ops folks do have wider freedom of equipment choice than line troops, but they still have logistics issues. The supply chain makes it much more convenient to obtain ball ammo. There is also a mil-spec 77 gr 5.56 mm round available through the established supply chain that has a proven track record.
There is a depressing tendency of some vendors who have sold an item (like a case of ammo) for T&E to some government entity to claim that it's "being used by.........." when it actually isn't-or at least in the manner we might expect. I expect the various granulated/powdered metal core bullets were designed to comply with lead free bullet requirements like California's or where the EPA/DER is having hissy fits over lead. They'd also appear to do well for training where steel targets or bullet fragments/splash from conventional ammo pose issues. Most wonder ammo that supposedly causes a target to do a double back flip, kick twice and expire, generally doesn't-at least with targets over 20-30 lbs.
However, the convention limitations on ammunition only applies to conflict between nation states who are signatories of the convention and the uniformed regularly enrolled uniformed military forces of said states. While the US may, or may not, have signed said agreements (been about 40 years for me too), we do comply with them.
Having said all the above, terrorists are outside the scope of the agreement. The Spec-Ops folks do have wider freedom of equipment choice than line troops, but they still have logistics issues. The supply chain makes it much more convenient to obtain ball ammo. There is also a mil-spec 77 gr 5.56 mm round available through the established supply chain that has a proven track record.
There is a depressing tendency of some vendors who have sold an item (like a case of ammo) for T&E to some government entity to claim that it's "being used by.........." when it actually isn't-or at least in the manner we might expect. I expect the various granulated/powdered metal core bullets were designed to comply with lead free bullet requirements like California's or where the EPA/DER is having hissy fits over lead. They'd also appear to do well for training where steel targets or bullet fragments/splash from conventional ammo pose issues. Most wonder ammo that supposedly causes a target to do a double back flip, kick twice and expire, generally doesn't-at least with targets over 20-30 lbs.
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