5.56 ammo question

[PlumberjimC]

I picked up several hundred rounds of two different surplus 5.56 for my AR.

One is headstamped 87 with 13 opposite and the box is marked:
30 RD 5.56x45mm Ball M1A3 614 A/87
I've been told that it is South African, but don't know for sure.

The other is headstamped C J 93 and the box is marked: 50 RDS 5.56mm
BALL CJC 0003B
I've heard this may be Norinco/Chinese, but again, don't know for sure.

I do know that the possible South African seems to be hotter. The bolt slammed back harder, the report was louder and the cases landed several feet farther away.

Also, it may be a false assumption, but I'm assuming both are non-corrosive, so if I'm wrong, somebody please tell me. Don't care about reloadability at this point.

Thanks for any information. FWIW, my Bushmaster seems to like CMP Federal and Winchester white box in ball ammo, which is nice since they are both reasonably cheap.

 

[jonnyc]

All your info and assumptions are correct.

 

[PlumberjimC]

Johnny,

Thanks.

If you've used the SA stuff, did it seem hotter to you, too?

JIm

 

[blackhawk2000]

Isn't the Chinese stuff worth money to a collector?

 

[PlumberjimC]

Blackhawk,

Because it can't be imported anymore?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I used to shoot it, but can't get it now. It did NOT seem hotter than NATO XM193 stamped ammo from Lake City and from what I had read, was not hotter.

Recoil was less, but it shot fine in terms of accuracy.

 

[blackhawk2000]

Yep. I seem to remember something about chinese ammo, being collectable due to not being importable anymore. I could be wrong though.

 

[MechAg94]

I can't remember where, but I saw somewhere they were noting that the South African ammo brass was brittle and was more prone to damaged cases or getting case heads ripped off by the extractor.

Did the South African come sealed in plastic? I have a couple bricks of .223 stashed away, but I don't know the origin. I guess I need to shoot all that stuff up and buy M193 for the rainy day ammo.

 

[rangerruck]

ive bought the chinese ammo in 556 and 762 at gunshows here in Houston. have some right now.