5.56 for a new build?

[mokin]

I took advantage of the sale on Bushmaster lowers with the intention of building a 5.56 NATO rifle. I presently have a 6.8SPC and want something a little more economical to shoot. (Plus I've got all those tools from my previous build). It would be a range toy used for three-gun. Anyway, as I don't have a firearm chambered for 5.56 and haven't had much to do with the round since I sold my SP1 about ten years ago, what are the options to feed such a beast if the M855 round goes away? Are there other options that go for (significantly) less that a buck a round?

FWIW, I have commented on the ATF's website as well as contacted my senators and representative regarding the action/proposed action regarding this unconstitutional power grab.

 

[C-grunt]

Good 55 grain brass cased ball ammo is selling around 28-30 cents a round. I recently picked up a 1000 round case of new manufactured ammo from Freedom Munitions for 300 shipped.

At the same time Wolf Gold (Taiwanese surplus M193) was selling for 280ish a case.

 

[mokin]

Thanks C-grunt.

That's a heck-of-a-lot less expensive than 6.8 SPC (even loading my own) or anything else I shoot. The main appeal of 5.56 is the price. I was thinking if 5.56 ammo gets scarce/expensive I might as well build a 6.5 Grendel or 300 BO.

 

[RustyShackelford]

ARs...

I don't own any M4s or ARs now but if I did, Id buy a .300aacblackout, .300blkout.
It's fairly new but popular with many 3gun and AR owners.

RS

 

[matrem]

Don't forget mokin, .223 also slides just fine through em too.
Haven't price checked for a few weeks, but Fed & PMC Bronze .223 was also available for about 30 -32 cents per round.

855 has never been one I liked much anyhow. Usually end up with XM193 for bulk shooting.

That being said, I'm fighting with my phone & keyboard to make sure 855 is available if we want it.

 

[strambo]

Heh, M855 wasn't an economical option anyway, I never bothered to buy any (I still hope it stays though). As others posted, lots of good 55g brass loads in the .30c range, steel cased is less.

 

[mokin]

I hadn't forgotten about .223. I just haven't been in the market, seriously looking anyway, at either of those cartridges in a long time. I had also read about the M855 being less desirable but didn't want to bring that up.

Thanks again

 

[C-grunt]

M855 is a good round. I am a fan. Its accurate enough for a carbine (My buddy can ring my 2/3 sized IDPA staeel target at 500 yards with his Daniel Defense no problem) and its built for safe long term storage.

However its always been about 50-100 bucks more per case than M193 so I always choose M193 or a copy of it.

 

[strambo]

Yeah, M855 is good quality, just too spendy for practice and not as good in terms of accuracy as match, nor in terminal ballistics for defensive use as other options. It kinda lives in a price/quality gap for me where I want to pay less for practice or more for accuracy/terminal effect.

 

[HammsBeer]

That's one of the factors I always look at before buying a gun in a new caliber...cost of ammo.

That said, all my AR's are in 5.56. Can't justify the higher cost of boutique rounds like 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, or .300 Blackout when I'm just shooting paper and steel.

The real cost saver ammo was 5.45x39 East Bloc surplus and uppers chambered for it, but since the 7N6 ban that advantage has disappeared.

M193 5.56 is typically .30-35 these days, .223 maybe a few cents less. Buying in bulk saves a few dollars. I shot a case of M855, didn't notice a difference to justify the higher cost, and the more complex bullet construction doesn't always lend itself to better accuracy.