Best "compromise" 223/5.56 range/bulk/teotwawki ammo?

[Richard.Howe]

Best "compromise" 223/5.56 range/bulk/teotwawki ammo?

I'm looking to buy a few thousand rounds of "compromise" ammo for my AR (Colt 6920). You know...fill up the closet and avoid going to wally-world for ammo before heading to the range. Also -- this ammo might be used in the theoretical (farsical?) shtf/teotwawki scenarios everyone likes to talk about around here. I know I could go and buy TAP or some other high-end round, but I don't want to break the bank here.

What's the best maker/model/product for this kind of bulk use?

Rich

 

[Zak Smith]

Federal XM193
IMI/Winchester Q3131A is good stuff too.

Both are true M193-equivalents.

 

[TMM]

Sellier&Bellot is a known name, yet cheap. $3/20rnds.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...u=fr&mscssid=UQDWAWKPP7P29N9QTU2M1MB0EXPH92RD

then there's Wolf.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...u=fr&mscssid=UQDWAWKPP7P29N9QTU2M1MB0EXPH92RD

i'd prefer brass case though. although i think steel is lighter than brass. or is it?

Federal ammo, a bit more than S&B, good name, $4/20rnds
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...u=fr&mscssid=UQDWAWKPP7P29N9QTU2M1MB0EXPH92RD

PMC. don't know much about them. $4/20rnds.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...u=fr&mscssid=UQDWAWKPP7P29N9QTU2M1MB0EXPH92RD

hope i've helped.

~TMM

 

[Drue]

+1 for the xm193 or Q3131A. As Zak said, they Mil Spec, brass cases, shoot clean and provide a reasonable level of accuracy (below match ammo but costing much less). The bullets will frag above 2700 (+-) and provide the terminal effect,

Wolf is great plinking ammo and costs about half but it is dirty, lower velocity and the bullets do not frag. It does not usually group as well as the ammo above. Some are concerned that the steel cases will be hard on the extractors. If you clean the rifle and keep a spare extractor, pin, and spring around, Wolf is great for low cost plinking and blastin'. I would use the XM193/Q3131a for more serious target shooting and for SHTF.

You might want to check out the AR15.com Ammo Oracle:

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/


Drue

 

[dmftoy1]

+1 for the XM193 . . .what I do is setup natchezss.com with an email notification when they receive the XM193 in 20 round boxes. The email hits my inbox and I order 1k or 2k worth of ammo. Make sure you do it within 6-8 hours of the email arriving or they'll be sold out.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Dr.Rob]

UMC is cheap and works well. Wal-Mart sells it by the truckload.

 

[VaughnT]

I've had some very good accuracy and reliability with UMC 45g FMJ out of a 1/7 bbl. I'm only shooting at close range (bad eyes), but groups have been under two inches and recoil is extremely light.

Jeff Gonzales, of tridentconcepts.com, mentioned the use of lightweight frangible ammo in the AR because it destabilizes rapidly and minimizes overpenetration and secondary/collateral injuries. He's rather expert on the subject so I bought some of the aforementioned ammo to test for accuracy out of my Stag AR. Overall, I'm very satisfied.

If you're looking for something available locally, look into the 200rnd boxes. I found mine for $55 at Bass Pro Shop in Concord, and have seen it locally for around $75. What would you pay in shipping for the cheaperthandirt.com stuff?

 

[Cesiumsponge]

UMC is cheap and works well. Wal-Mart sells it by the truckload.

+1

Had no issues with Remington UMC. I used it to break in my rifle. They started recently carrying "megapacks" here at Walfart.

Wolf is dirt cheap ammo, I plan on splitting a box with another fellow locally. Might be a bit dirtier by some claims but I clean my rifle after every sitting anyhow so its the same amount of work for me.

Also, you can't go wrong with the tried-and-true M193 and M855 from Federal/Lake City. I think they have the highest dependability rating on ARFcom's ammo ranking thread, followed by Winchester offerings

There was some discussion on the feasibility of light (under 50gr) and high velocity frangible or JHP stuff for unarmored self-defense since it destabilizes very easily and fragments readily. Black Hills also is held in high regard but can cost a bit more unless you get the factory reconditioned stuff which is a bargain.

If you want to prepare a stock of ammo that'll cover "anything", I'd suggest a mix of Federal M855 62gr steel core and M193's, Federal frangibles, and 45gr varmint rounds. That should cover your bases for anything that a .223/5.56mm can handle.

 

[varoadking]

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of_NATO__223_SS109.html

 

[NMshooter]

If you follow Zak and Drue's recommendations you cannot go wrong.

 

[226]

Don't compromise. Get the latest lot boxed XM193.

+1 AR15.com Ammo-Oracle

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

XM193 and Q3131A are known to often have the tumbling/fragmentation effects that make some 5.56mm rounds effective. They are relatively cheap for centerfire rifle ammo and meet military quality standards.

 

[boofus]

I'm saving some Federal XM193 55gr FMJ for SHTF but I do most of my plinking with Wolf 55gr FMJ.

I have to use the 55gr ammo because my only rifle in that caliber has a 1:12 twist barrel. The heavier stuff like M855 62gr FMJ won't stabilize in my gun.

Wolf is great for the range. The stuff smells to high heaven and isn't as powerful as the milspec stuff but it won't break the bank either. In a worst case scenario shooting the Wolf at badguys is better than throwing rocks. And if you run out of ammo, maybe the fumes will get em.

 

[dave3006]

If you shoot more than 200 rounds at real bad guys, you will be:

a. Dead
b. Have a real cool new gun collection.

 

[Gary G23]

I have Q3131A and XM193 for SHTF but plink with Brown Bear 62gr soft points.

 

[Richard.Howe]

My main teotwawki concerns are the following:

1) street gangs
2) bears
3) the undead
4) street gangs of undead bears

Seriously, I appreciate your responses. My 16" Colt has a 1:7 twist -- will the XM193 work well? Is there any special "bulk" ammo particularly suited to take advantage of this quicker spin rate?

How might the lighter 50gr Federal R2LP frangible perform from a fast-twist barrel?

Thanks!
Rich

 

[natedog]

For bulk, M193. Of course, if you can buy several thousand rounds of 75gr. Hornady TAP....

 

[Sam Adams]

+1 for the Q3131A. This stuff is VERY accurate for non-match factory ammo, is reasonably priced ($4/20 at Academy, sometimes less at gunshows), and has great brass for reloading.

 

[Blackhawk 6]

My 16" Colt has a 1:7 twist -- will the XM193 work well?

From FM 3-22.9, RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP M16A1, M16A2/3, M16A4 and M4 CARBINE:

a. Internal Ballistics. The overall dimensions of the combat service 5.56-mm cartridges are the same, which allows cartridges to be fired safely in M16A1 or M16A2 rifles and the M4 carbine. There are internal differences that affect firing accuracy. An ammunition comparison is provided in Figure 5-32.


(1) The increase in projectile length, weight, and configuration of the M855 bullet requires different twists in the barrels, lands, and grooves to stabilize the bullet in flight. The M16A1 has a 1:12 barrel twist (the bullet rotates once for every 12 inches of travel down the barrel). The M16A2/A3/A4 and the M4 carbine has a 1:7 barrel twist (the bullet rotates once for every 7 inches of travel down the barrel).

(2) The M16A1, with its 1:12 twist, does not put enough spin on the heavier M855 bullet to stabilize it in flight, causing erratic performance and inaccuracy for training or full combat usage (30.48- to 35.56-centimeter shot group at 91.4 meters and 72-inch shot group at 274.2 meters) (Figure 5-33). Although firing the M855 cartridge in the M16A1 rifle is safe, it should only be used in a combat emergency, and then only for close ranges of 91.4 meters or less.

(3) The M16A2 rifle with its 1:7 twist fires both types ammunition with little difference in accuracy to a range of 500 meters. The M16A2 and its ammunition are more effective at ranges out to and beyond 500 meters due to a better stabilization of the round.

My experience firing M-193 from both the M-16A2 and M-4 confirms this statement.

 

[Onslaught]

Georgia Arms Canned Heat is what I use... 500 rounds of very high quality ammo for $85.

Don't get me wrong, I think keeping 500 - 1500 rounds of "the good stuff" (Lake City is what I have) is perfectly reasonable, but thousands and thousands of rounds of relatively expensive ammo for "TEOTWAWKOI" is not financially sound to me... It's like beer at a party, if the first 800 rounds of import isn't enough to finish 'em off, then I've still got 2500 rounds of domestic stuff that will probably make them fall down just as good