AR Ammo

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joed

joed

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OK, everyone has been a big help answering my questions about AR's. Now it's time for ammo questions.

My AR is a Colt 6920, what do I want for ammo? I'm thinking m855 because of the fast twist barrel. My friend thinks he's going to pick up surplus 75 gr ammo, good luck.

So, what would you get to shoot?
 
M855 is a good ammo but not expect it to be accurate. It has a steel insert in the lead core that may or may not be well centered. Acuracy with a rifle that is MOA with a good match grade ammo may shoot 2 to 3" with m855. Pick up some AR 223 to try from wally world 55gr for general plinking and a box of good and a box of good match grade from 69 to 77 gr to see what it could shot at both ends of bullet weight . Then start shopping for best deals in bulk. If you can try some m855 do so just don't expect great results. I do have some m193 , and m855 in bulk and a bit of 75gr match.
 
Partially, it depends on what sort of shooting you plan to do, and under what conditions.

Most of the shooting I do is with 55 grain Hornady bullets that I load myself.

If you plan to do serious match shooting, and don't reload, Black Hills is the way to go. I've also had good luck with HSM's .223 ammunition as well. Very accurate and at a good price point.

For high-volume, close-range blasting, Wolf .223 might not be a bad choice, assuming your gun runs it.

For all-around decent ammo at a reasonable price, take a look at PMC.

Avoid Remington.
 
get a can or two of:

http://www.targetsportsusa.com/p-30...62-gr-green-tip-fmj-420-rounds-wammo-can.aspx

and use that for basic plinking and breaking in.

then if you want to shoot for score:

http://www.outdooroutfitters.com/black-hills-ammunition-m223r12.aspx

DO NOT use 'cheapest' ammo, Steel cased or brass, for your first 100 or so rounds- it's often a little on the weak side, and a brandy new rifle is a little on the stiff side, and the combination of the two will make cycling problematic.
 
I usually find the BlackHills Remanufactured .223 Rem. 55 Gr. Full Metal Jacket
(Velocity 3200 FPS) in bulk at some gun stores and it does fine by me.:)
 
Prvi M193 is my favorite 55gr with PMC a second choice.

If you go up to the heavier M 855 bullets be sure your range allows steel penetrator ammo.
 
For high-volume, close-range blasting, Wolf .223 might not be a bad choice, assuming your gun runs it.
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That is pretty much all I shoot. ~2 moa in my 6940. I mostly shoot steel plates, shooting 4-8 moa plates (gongs) with 2-4 moa ammo is lots of fun!
 
Unless I have a particular need for something else, I shoot wolf .223 through my Novekse sans issues.
 
joed, I'm getting the vibe that you are new to ARs. The first advise I'll give you is to avoid getting all caught up in the twist/bullet weight thing. You'll expend a bunch of brain cells for nothing.

There's lots of good shootin' ammo out there that is more than accurate enough to have fun with. For really cheap stuff, I've had the best luck with Bear ammo. I'll get either Silver Bear or Brown Bear, which ever is available. A step up would be some flavor of M193 or M855. Don't expect any great accuracy out of any of these loads, but I can hit golf balls at 100 yards often enough to keep things interesting.
 
Wolf? Really? Not hating or bashing but I was under the impression that the Russian steal stuff didn't function well in ARs. Is that false? Cause if it is, I would love that.

Please elaborate. Thanks.
 
There is nothing wrong with Wolf ammunition. It won't hurt your rifle. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, there are a number of ARs that just won't run on Wolf. The only way to know is to try it. If your rifle will run on it, then have at it. If your rifle chokes, then don't use it.

All of the ARs that I've had run just fine on steel cased ammo. Those that had trouble were fixed.
 
Wolf? Really? Not hating or bashing but I was under the impression that the Russian steal stuff didn't function well in ARs. Is that false? Cause if it is, I would love that.
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I'm sure there are ARs that wont function with wolf (just as I've seen ARs that have issues with brass). However, if you have a quality gun there is no reason it wont work. An AR that wont shoot steel case is a problem with the gun IMHO. There is one way to know if any given ammo will function in your weapon, try it.
 
Wolf? Really? Not hating or bashing but I was under the impression that the Russian steal stuff didn't function well in ARs. Is that false? Cause if it is, I would love that.
Click to expand...

I have had good luck with Wolf, for several thousand rounds, spread between 3 of my Noveskes. Never had an issue with it. Some guns won't run it, you sort of have to try and see.

I don't run it as much anymore since I mostly reload, but if I go to a class that doesn't allow for brass pickup I usually shoot Wolf.
 
Wolf? Really? Not hating or bashing but I was under the impression that the Russian steal stuff didn't function well in ARs. Is that false? Cause if it is, I would love that.

Please elaborate. Thanks.
Click to expand...

My AR shoots best with Herter's steel cased ammo. Some guns don't like it, some do. The only way you know where your gun falls is to shoot some......I have not seen a single sign that they are damaging my AR.

I use M193 for plinking, M855 for home defense.
Click to expand...
Why do you use an FMJ round for home defense? I'm asking out of curiosity
 
Wolf? Really? Not hating or bashing but I was under the impression that the Russian steal stuff didn't function well in ARs. Is that false? Cause if it is, I would love that.
Click to expand...

Their are several claims out there people make that it will either "gum" up your rifle, break your rifle or make it less accurate over extended use. Personally I don't use it in mine, only because a friend of mine alway's had trouble with it in his AR (I only use it in my AK)... but I do believe it really depends from rifle to rifle. IMO even if it did hurt your rifle, it would take an enormous amount of ammo to cause it to really "wear out".
 
Steel stuff can and does often give people trouble, but it depends on your magazines and particular rifle.

One local competitor tumbles his steel case stuff to polish it up a bit and swears it cures his feeding issues.

I exclusively shoot commercial 55gr reloads for pinking and personal 75gr reloads for match accuracy.
 
HoosierQ said:
Wolf? Really? Not hating or bashing but I was under the impression that the Russian steal stuff didn't function well in ARs. Is that false? Cause if it is, I would love that.

Please elaborate. Thanks.
Click to expand...

It depends on the rifle. Some rifles will run Wolf and some will not. Buy a few boxes and try it out. If the gun runs with Wolf and you're looking for practical-ish accuracy, it can be a good buy.

If you're shooting beyond, say, 200 yards*, or going for extremely tight groups, get something else.


*At a guess. I've never shot Wolf at longer ranges, so it may very well perform ok. As always, test it yourself.


Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
 
Well I am new to the AR. Just bought a A2 configuration model on Superbowl sunday. I put about 200 rounds of M855 and about 60 rounds of some sort Winchester 60 gr segmented hollowpoint HD stuff (name is esacaping me...expensive stuff, nickle coated brass). Both were absolutely flawless...not a single malfunction of any description, big or small.

Wolf would sure be cheaper and for me, who is not going to compete. I have a whole boatload of M855 stashed away for "hard service". It would be nice to be able to just let the cases fly and sweep 'em afterward and chuck them...given what, if luck holds, will be what I do 100% of the time with my AR...shoot for fun and maybe knock of the occasional varmint from longer range than a .22lr or shotgun would be practical for. Of course I do plan to lay in a small stock of 55 gr varmint ammo...test it...and hang on to the rest for the day I need it.

Very interesting.

I am also kind of anal retentive about preparedness (in some areas) so I have a spare bolt, 2 spare bolt rebuild kits, etc,...so I've got in my possion right now I believe 4 extractors so if one breaks on a steel case...well...so be it.
 
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