223 Ammo Differences

[BSA1]

I'm looking to buy some bulk 223 ammo.

What is the difference between Amrican Eagle 55 gr. FMJ and Federal Lake City 62 gr. XM855/SS109 Green Tip?

Are there other good choices?

 

[gym]

It depends on a few things. Like the type of barrel you have, the twist ratio, length of barrel etc. Mine is suited for heavier ammo, , yours may be different, some shoot heavier loads better than others. Your manual should say which is best for your weapon, or look here. It is probably between 1c7 and 1x9 twist.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/568838_AR15_Barrel_Twist_ratio.html

 

[rcmodel]

I'm going to let someone else tell you the difference is 7 grains bullet weight.

The 55 grain FMJ is a copper jacket lead core bullet as used in the early M-16 in Vietnam.

The 62 grain XM885 is a copper jacket, lead core, with a steel penetrator core insert as used by NATO now.

The X in the XM indicates it is commercial ammo, and not real mil-sup M885/S109 NATO ammo.

Read all about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56×45mm_NATO#SS109.2FM855

rc

 

[silicosys4]

With the ss109 with penetrator, you have to account for the length of the bullet as well as the weight. They are much longer than a 62 gr. without penetrator.
My 1-12" twist m70 .223 will shoot 62 grain non-penetrator all right, but it will keyhole with 62 gr. w. Penetrators...they are just too long to stabilize at that twist rate.

 

[BSA1]

It's for use in a Saiga Sporter.

 

[HGM22]

I would think 55gr. ammo to be better in the Saiga, but try both and see which one your gun likes more.

 

[Jackal]

If its a Saiga, stock up on the cheapest steel cased Russian ammo you can find, its made for it.

 

[M1key]

With my 223 Saigas, I found 62gr bullets to be more accurate, especially Silver Bear 62 soft point. YMMV

M

 

[BSA1]

Thank you for the information and advice.

 

[Archangel14]

I was going to start a thread about "penetrator" rounds when I saw this thread. For a 1:7 twist barrel, what weight bullets should I stay AWAY from when considering accuracy? It's my understanding that a lower twist allows for use of a larger bullet.

Thanks......

 

[matrem]

It's my understanding that a lower twist allows for use of a larger bullet.

Well.. Everything else being equal, faster twist sure allows for a longer one.

 

[tuj]

if you want accuracy, try some Federal Gold Medal or Black Hills. I found my 1:8 twist gun liked 77gr the best.