5.56mm M193 spec ammo comparison

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natedog

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What do you prefer for M193 spec ammo? I'm pretty sure the manufactuers of new production M193 are Winchester (Q3131, correct?), Federal (XM193- isn't this actually Lake City ammo repackaged by Federal?), and IMI (what's the product #, name?). The price seems comparable between them all- between $160-$200 for 1000.
 
XM193- isn't this actually Lake City ammo repackaged by Federal?
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Yes, sort of. My understanding is that it's LC components assembled by Federal. All mine has the NATO cross and LC headstamp.

I prefer the XM-193, but have bought Q3131A also. XM-193 makes a much larger fireball and seems to have a bit more "punch" to it. Both are M-193 spec ammo and of excellent quality.

Just make sure that you don't get Q3131 and Q3131A mixed up. The 3131A is made in Israel by IMI, sold in the US packaged in Winchester boxes(marked Q3131a) and has a much better reputation for quality. I believe the Q3131 is made domestically by Winchester and has had some bad lots, enough that Armalite recomend not shooting it in their rifles.
 
my DPMS shoots the Federal XM-193 really good, and the Winchester Q3131A is close behind......I bought some S&B X-193 and it doesn't shoot as accurately as the other 2..............
 
my DPMS shoots the Federal XM-193 really good, and the Winchester Q3131A is close behind......I bought some S&B X-193 and it doesn't shoot as accurately as the other 2..............
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I may be wrong, but it's my understanding that S&B is SS109(european M855), not M193. That would make it a 62gr. bullet instead of a 55gr.:

EDIT: I retract this. I just looked it up and they make both SS109 and a 55gr.. Shoulda check facts before posting. :rolleyes:


Still, not all 55gr. is M193 spec.
 
One other thing to keep in mind is that 55 grain does not necessarily equal M-193, and 62 grain does not necessarily equal M-855/SS109. Bullet construction and velocity also enter into the equation.

E.g., Wolf makes .223 in both weights, but their velocity is lower than milspec. Also, the Wolf 62 grain loads do not have the SS109-type bullet with the steel penetrator tip.
 
I strictly feed my Bushy (16" A3, Non-"Ninja-ized") Winchester Q3131A and IMI M193 (Q3131A is identical to IMI M193. It is made to the same US Milspec standards on the same machinery in Israel.)

Some folks will swear by the Lake City XM193, and probably for good reason, but I'm extremely conservative when it comes to choosing ammo. The fact that the LC stuff provided to the the unwashed multitudes now (unlike the LC M193 & M855 Bubba essentially banned from public distribution) is made from leftovers/overruns and potentally lacks the sealant and consistent loads that the Milspec ammo does is enough for me to steer clear of it. Again, I don't distrust or doubt those who swear by LC XM193 and XM855, but in terms of my own comfort and faith of what I'm firing at paper or (if the need ever arises) some brain eating zombie who has come to do me and my family harm, I'll stick to the new manufacture Israeli US milspec stuff.

I'm just glad I stocked up on a few cases of IMI M193 and a case of IMI M855 (in case I get a 20" A3 that can take full advantage of the round) before the ammo shortage came to lthe fore. I doubt much more IMI US Milspec ammo will be making its way to our shore for sale to civilians in the next year or so.

I've also used Santa Barbara SS109 ammo and experienced the extraction problems others have experienced. This may only effect the shorter barrel AR carbines, but my experiences are enough to scare me from this otherwise very accurate round in the futrure. If one is using the Spanish SS109 rounds, they should make sure to bring a cleaning rod to the range with them in case they too find themselves with unextracted brass. :cuss:
 
I prefer the Q3131A and IMI M193 as well. I have seen varying degrees of QC with the LC XM193. Some of it is sealed and some is not. That's not a big deal however if you don't plan to submerge the ammo in water. It's my opinion that the LC stuff is a tab bit hotter than the Israeli made stuff. I have also had good luck with the S&B X193 that comes in the mint green box. That's what I use as my main range ammo. I have noticed that Natchez has raised the price on it here recently. Whenever I find any of the above mentioned ammo on sale I get some. Can't ever have too much ammo on hand.

Shabo
 
Lake City M193 20 rd box / 100 rd box

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in the ammo that you get in the 20 round boxes as opposed to the ammo you get if you buy 1000 rds in the 100 rd boxes. One seller claimed that the 10 20 rd boxes that he used in place of 2 100 rd boxes to finish out a 1000 rd order was supposed to be "higher quality and pricier". I wasn't particularly pleased because I ended up with ammo from 4 different lot #s. By the way how much difference is it from one lot to another. Also what are the best prices and places to get the .223 M193 and what about the 7.62 x 51 NATO (.308). same questions about the 7.62.
 
Help on ammo ?

At bottom is the description a seller gave for ammo. It was headstamped L C 2008. There was not a NATO symbol on it. My question is about the phrase "Nato Military Spec 5.56 ammunition" that was used in the description. With this phrase in the description should this have been stamped with the NATO symbol or is this stating merely that it is manufactured to NATO Military Specs? Is this misleading advertising? The box says this
"MANUFACTUERD IN THE U.S.A.
FEDERAL CARTRIDGE CO.
Anoka, MN 56303 U.S.A."
I'm assuming that without the NATO symbol it is not the same ammo that the military would use or could use. Is that correct? How would this compare to the NATO stamped ammo in quality and price?


"This auction is for 1,000 rounds of Federal / Lake City XM193 .223 Full Metal Jacket new Nato Military Spec 5.56 ammunition. This ammunition is packaged 100 rounds per box, and 10 boxes are included in this auction. Each rifle round is brass cased, non-corrosive, boxer primed, and has a 55 grain full metal jacket boat-tail bullet. This is currently manufactured ammunition in 2008, made in the United States. This ammunition is mil spec, and with "LC" for lake city."
 
Better ammo

Is the ammo with the NATO symbol headstamped on it better than the ammo with the L C 0 8 headstamped on it.? Which should be cheaper in price? In quality? Are they manufactured in different plants?
 
I use Prvi Partizan 5.56 m193 since it was cheaper than other brands of m193 awhile back. I never have had any of it cause any problems (besides the 2004 batch which I got a refund for), and it's accurate.
 
heh...I read the 1st post and saw the price/1000 rds and almost spit my drink @ the screen...then I saw the date of the 1st post... :(

it seems that most of the bulk 5.56 ball ammo is going for $370-400/1000 rds. everybody else coming up w/roughly the same prices?
 
I use Prvi Partizan 5.56 m193 since it was cheaper than other brands of m193 awhile back. I never have had any of it cause any problems (besides the 2004 batch which I got a refund for), and it's accurate.
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I use Prvi Partizan M193 as well. Good stuff.
 
Any Idea?

So does anyone know about the comparison of the Federal Lake City XM193ammo compared to the NATO headstamped ammo in 5.56. Pressure, quality, price, etc. Any experts out there.
 
i'm not an expert- but i've shot at least 5 metric ass loads of federal ammo, and i can tell you that so long as the box is marked "Federal xm193" you have good ammo. dont worry about the brass stamps.
 
It's Federal and good ammo. Is it exactly M193, not sure. They have sold lots of XM193 and XM193A for years to deplete old stock and extra components. Federal makes Lake City ammo so more or less it is the same. Check for the annealed brass and sealed and crimped primer pockets. Bill

I believe Wideners still has the PRVI in stock for a decent price if that auction falls through. It is M193 spec and shoots very good. I have not had a problem in several thousand rounds. Price is good and brass reloads well.
 
My #1 choice is Federal XM193. I prefer the stuff with the NATO headstamp. It is loaded hot, and with higher velocity I know I have an increased fragmentation range out of my 16" Bushy AR-15.

I've also used Winchester Q3131 a lot (Q3131A is very hard to find around here, so i usually get the USA-made Q3131). I usually save the Federal XM193 but the Winchester Q3131 will eventually get shot at the range.

I've also used some South African M193 and I was pleased with the results. I would buy the SA 5.56mm battle packs again if I came across some.
 
more ???s

On the web page from 6mmBR.com (link below) it talks about the military brass being heavier walled than other brass. This is from the .308 Win info page on 6mmBR.com which has a link (second one below) to an article that compares .308 Win to 7.62 X 51 military ammo. Does anyone know if the Lake City brass being mil spec loaded is heavy walled like the NATO headstamped brass or is it just regular walled brass? These questions are being asked in reference to both the .223/5.56 and the .308/7.62 X 51.

http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html




http://www.303british.com/id36.html
 
i got 90 rounds of Lake City 55gr m193 in stripper clips at Ammunitiontogo.com . i wonder if thats the real deal since they came packed in boxes with an open box? i am gonna try a 30 round mag see how it goes i will post range tests.

anyone have experinec with these rounds?:banghead:
 
Another zombie thread that appears to have been brought back from the dead for the second time?
 
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