[Black Snowman]

Where and what would you nice folks recommend I pick up surplus ammo for my new Bushmaster M17S Bullpup?

The guns trigger and my chosen sight limit the long range accuracy potential so accuracy isn't a primary concern. Reloadable would be nice but not nessisary if it's cheap enough.

So far I've found what appear to be the best deals at:
http://www.kyimports.com/
http://www.jgsales.com/
Other suggestions (and yes I did search for previous threads :) ).

[Monkeyleg]

I bought a couple of cases of the South African stuff at gun shows. Cost was about $150 per 1,000 rounds. It's not super-accurate, but it's acceptable. Unlike the Wolf brand, the brass is reloadable. I figure it would be good for looters and rioters in my yard. If I have to take them down at distances greater than 100 yards, I'll use my .308. :)

[Dave Markowitz]

I recently received a case of 500 rounds of Federal XM-193 Ball from Ammoman.com. $129, which includes shipping.

[daver]

Wholesale Hunter has Federal XM193 55gr for $84.75 plus shipping for 500 rounds.

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/privatespecials/deals.htm

[gun-fucious]

www.ammoman.com

[WonderNine]

I tried a 300 round battle pack of the South African surplus and for $45 shipped it's a good value for plinking and varmint shooting. It's kind of powerful too and very reliable. I wouldn't hestitate to load up a defense gun with it. That said...

It's the most innaccurate .223/5.56 I've ever shot.

At 100 yards I was driving tacks with the Winchester model 70 shooting Black Hills. With the S.A. surplus it's all over the place. Same story with the Mini-14. Of course I wasn't driving tacks with the Mini shooting Black Hills, but the accuracy was notably better than with the S.A. surplus. All bullets shot were 55gr.

I picked up some newer production South African .223 in commercial boxes and we'll see what the difference is as far as accuracy and power. Hopefully I'll get to use my chrono soon. Since it's in commercial boxes, it's probably not waterproofed. Just FYI for all you armchair commandos out there like me. :D

[762x51]

I bought a 500rnd case of Federal XM193 for $99.00 shipped from here:

http://www.cmmginc.com

[meathammer]

Another vote for Federal XM193. I ordered 1,000 rds. for $179.97 from here: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=47461

[greyeyezz]

Winchester Q3131A is good too. ;~)

[WonderNine]

The newer South African in commercial boxes I was referring to is PMP .223 with the gazelle on the box. I didn't do any accuracy testing today, but here are some chrono results with the Winchester model 70 .223..........

South African PMP commercial box .223 55gr.:

3305
3261
3244

South African 1986 headstamp 5.56mm surplus 55gr.:

3402
3368
3328

I was surprised to find that the Mini-14 was only doing about 3100 fps and under with the SA surplus and a little less than that with the PMP.

I didn't think that 1.5" less of barrel would make THAT much of a difference, but I guess rightfully so I've always thought of those 10" barreled M4's the Rangers use as glorified .22 magnums. I sure wouldn't want one. Give me a 20" M-16/AR-180 or Galil anyday.

[dbshabo]

Got a few suggestions for ya bro. Winchester Q3131A is mil-spec ammo manufactured in Israel for Winchester, super ammo at an affordable price. Some will tell you that Winchester Q3131, which is made in the US, is the same as the Q3131A, not true from my experience. The Q3131A is a hotter load and is sealed. This is my first choice for SHTF stash ammo.

www.botac.com has 1200 rounds of IMI (Israeli Military Industries) 5.56 mil-spec ammo for $189.00 shipped. This is also worthy of SHTF stash. This comes packaged in 30 round boxes. Thirty round mags, thirty round boxes, quite convenient. This is a really good deal. Some people have had problems with this outfit in the past. I have not experienced any problems so far with them.

I use Sellier & Bellot (S&B) for range work. It is almost mil-spec. www.natchezss.com sells it for $3.19/box of 20. It's comes in a mint green box. It is good clean ammo. I have had a few FTF's but not many at all. It is brass cased, boxer primed, and non corrosive. It does have a steel jacket on the bullet that is copper washed. I know some people don't like that but my rifles have chromed bores and chambers and these bullets will do no harm at all to them. I will use this ammo over Wolf any day. A lot of people use and like Wolf ammo, I'm just not one of them.

I like the Lake City XM-193 ammo. I have gotten some that I have felt was not up to what it should be as far as the QC is concerned. I have gotten other lots that were super. For consistancy sake I will take the Winchester Q3131A over the LC stuff. Just my humble opinion. Wholesale Hunter does have some good deals from time to time. Get on their e-mail list to get first stab at the best deals.

Good Luck and good shooting!!

Shabo

[Ironbarr]

I have been using Win Q3131A since getting my AR last year, but now find it hard to find - at least locally. They've shifted to the regular Win Q3131.

See: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47026

-Andy

[dbshabo]

Ironbarr, I have read a few posts stating that Winchester has yanked the contract from IMI to produce Q3131A. I hope this isn't true, but I honestly don't know. I know www.natchezss.com still has it. It's priced @ $3.69/box in their most recent catalog. They have the Federal XM193 @ $3.49/box in 25 box cases (500 rnds.).

Shabo

[Ironbarr]

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out. (After all, my birthday is next week and Christmas is just over the horizon :) ).