Best 5.56/.223 Ammo in Category?

[GunnerShotz]

I just bought my first AR. It's been a long time since military training with the M16A2, which I loved as required. So, getting back into a 'black rifle' in the civilian world, I want to know what ammo (currently marketed) is best for what.

1/9 twist, chrome lined, chambered for both 5.56 and .223

Categories

1. Practice?
The cheapest and cleanest...

2. HD
2a. Lower Penetrating
2b. Higher Penetrating

3. Varmint

4. Target (pure accuracy!)

Common denominators? Opinions please!

.... and yes, I know I need to start reloading too but I don't yet.

 

[GunnerShotz]

I just found this over at M4Carbine.net under "Best Choice Ammo for 16" M4's" courtesy of RRMan03 .....

I want to here it from the experts.What is the following.

1.Ammo for accuracy
2.Ammo for "knock down"
3.Ammo for plinking
4.Ammo for long term storage
5.Ammo for SHTF
6.Ammo best for the price
7.Best Ammo for the M4 period.

Assume 1/7 twist with chrome lined barrel and bore in a 16" barrel.

Short thread! Any updates?

 

[TurtlePhish]

Black Hills' heavy loads are good for accuracy.

Federal American Eagle 55gr is good for plinking.

 

[Rail Driver]

handload for accuracy - aside from that, PRVI makes some quality stuff, as does Eley.

For plinking, I'm good with Wolf or Tula steel cased.

For any other purpose, brass cased XM855

 

[MrDig]

This depends on multiple factors, rate of twist, barrel length, and the actual weight of the bullet.
My Mossberg MVP with a 24 in barrel and 1 in 10 twist likes 52 and 55 gr bullets.
XM855 62gr Penetrator is pretty erratic and gives the appearance of a wandering zero.
XM193 55gr is better. But I have a lot of bad primers in the lot I bought.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have a 16 inch 1/7 Colt

Prvi is very good 55 gr M193 spec ammo.

PMC bronze 55gr is the cheapest NEW reloadable plinking ammo. I have used it in place of Prvi but I don't think it's quite as hot. It's on par with Remington/UMC ammo.

By far I have used mostly Priv, PMC and Rem/UMC in my rifle follwed by Federal.

Some people say 55gr Federal American Eagle is on par with Lake City M193. Winchester's loads are mil-spec not sure if Federal 'red box' is.

NONE of those are really 'match grade' ammo.

I keep some Winchester 55gr soft points on hand for hunting.

Prvi can be purchased in 200 rd sealed 'battle packs'. That what I like to keep on hand while I am not reloading.

I have bought 62 gr M855 penetrator ammo, but not many ranges will let you shoot it. Paper targets you are ok, steel targets you'll put craters in. I have 100 rounds of this by Prvi sitting around.

Your 1/7 M4 can handle bullets in the 77 gr range. Black Hills makes some very good 77gr match ammo. Be warned, its spendy.