US Army Considers Adopting an Interim Battle Rifle in 7.62NATO: eventually adopt 6.5

[stanc]

My point is I'm perfectly willing to grant M855A1 is a "better" bullet, but at what price per unit compared to an analog with a lead core instead of copper under the steel tip.

For a close approximation:

copper @ $2.50 / lb
lead @ $1.00 / lb
M855A1 slug @ 30 gr

Price difference per bullet: