Making some substantial 5.56 ammo purchases pretty soon and it seems like this is the cheapest for M193 and M855 right now. I don't have any experience with Lake City ammo though. All I know is they make stuff for the government. So basically my question is...is it any good? We don't get sold the stuff the government didn't want because it was out-of-spec or something, do we?
Thoughts on Lake City ammo?
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Reloadron
Contributing Member
Over the years the lake city ammunition plant has manufactured a few rounds of ammunition. Matter of fact watch the video.
Seriously since WWII the Lake City ammunition plant has produced high quality US Military ammunition.
Ron
Seriously since WWII the Lake City ammunition plant has produced high quality US Military ammunition.
Ron
medalguy
Member
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant IS government owned and operated by a civilian company exclusively for the government. All ammo coming out of that plant was destined for the government and was probably rejected by the government for some reason, maybe cosmetic or insufficient quantity for a lot or excess components of some type. You never know but it's unlikely it was rejected for anything serious like safety. Nothing made on government owned equipment can be sold without the government's approval.
Are you talking about the bulk out of spec stuff in 30gal drums? We have a thread on it explaining it is not a good deal.http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=719383
medalguy
Member
hso is correct, that's no deal at all. Way too overpriced.
I was simply trying to explain that LC ammo is produced in a GOCO (government owned, contractor operated) facility and it is indeed what the Army uses, and it's (probably) good brass. There's always an exception somewhere to "always" so I just threw that in there. That's the only brass I buy for 5.56 or 7.62 x 51.
Whether the loaded ammo we mere mortals can buy is good or not depends. As you pointed out, it could be a cosmetic feature, less than adequately crimped primers, or accuracy not up to snuff, whatever the problem, it's probably safe to fire, and makes very good blasting ammo. The brass itself, as far as I have been able to tell, has all been very good for reloading.
I was simply trying to explain that LC ammo is produced in a GOCO (government owned, contractor operated) facility and it is indeed what the Army uses, and it's (probably) good brass. There's always an exception somewhere to "always" so I just threw that in there. That's the only brass I buy for 5.56 or 7.62 x 51.
Whether the loaded ammo we mere mortals can buy is good or not depends. As you pointed out, it could be a cosmetic feature, less than adequately crimped primers, or accuracy not up to snuff, whatever the problem, it's probably safe to fire, and makes very good blasting ammo. The brass itself, as far as I have been able to tell, has all been very good for reloading.
bannockburn
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I have found Lake City to be decent ammo with good brass for reloading but it's been a while since I bought any. Don't really know about more recent production ammo from there.
Hondo 60
Member
IMHO Lake City is at or very near the best of the best where ammo is concerned.
and I've shot 1,000s of rounds of it.
and I've shot 1,000s of rounds of it.
Ramone
Member
Lake City M855 is my buy cheap/stack deep/ barter /plinking ammo. it's the lowest quality ammo I consider worth buying (I am an ammo snob).
it's good quality product, IMX, and I prefer to buy the stripper clips packed in GI ammo cans, just because it makes storing it much easier.
It is 2 MOA ( that is, 2 inches at 100 yards) ammo, which is 'good enough' for most uses, and it's built to last, with sealed cases ( that is the primer and bullet are sealed into the brass for waterproofing).
Pre panic, I was paying between US$149 and US$159 for a 420 round can ( they also offered it in 840 round cans, but they are too heavy to be handy IMO), and I currently see it listed (when it's available) for about US$300.00.
it's good quality product, IMX, and I prefer to buy the stripper clips packed in GI ammo cans, just because it makes storing it much easier.
It is 2 MOA ( that is, 2 inches at 100 yards) ammo, which is 'good enough' for most uses, and it's built to last, with sealed cases ( that is the primer and bullet are sealed into the brass for waterproofing).
Pre panic, I was paying between US$149 and US$159 for a 420 round can ( they also offered it in 840 round cans, but they are too heavy to be handy IMO), and I currently see it listed (when it's available) for about US$300.00.
Tim the student
Member
Good plinking stuff, but great brass, IMO.
I love it. I prefer the xm193, but the xm855 is fine as well. I've read all of the stuff about it being rejected but I have fired thousands of rounds and never had a problem. I would say it is cheap, accurate, and reliable - but it is not really cheap anymore. I would hold out a little while because I think the prices will come down. My local shops have it in stock constantly now so hopefully the scarcity will soon end. I like Fiocchi and PMC as well. If I can find them reasonably priced I buy them too, but prefer the Lake City because it is made in USA. I shot a bunch of Priv Partzan (probably spelled wrong) during the winter because it was all I could find and I also thought it was fine. Only shells I have bought that I don't like are any steel case ammo and the Winchester in the White box. It shoots well but I've always seemed to get a few bulged casings that won't feed. I've never experienced that with the others.
Sapper771
Member
Not the most accurate or effective stuff around, but it works. I dont feel its worth what is being asked for it right now. For the money, I prefer the 68gr, 69gr, and 77gr stuff. Better accuracy and better ballistics.
Like others have said, the brass is great.
Like others have said, the brass is great.
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