Need Ammo Suggestions - SIG 556

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Stringer

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Hi,

I've got a new SIG 556 on the way and was hoping to get some help choosing ammo. I've read somewhere that it prefers 62gr and heavier bullets, and that FMJ is the way to go. Does this sound correct?

Was looking for an all-around cartridge that would be good for everything. Basically I wanted some decent quality ammo, nothing too cheap and nothing too expensive. I have looked all over the net and I admit im suprised at how costly ammo is. This is my first rifle :eek:

Some deals that I have found that look good to me are mostly at ammoman and ammunition to go. Ammoman has "M855 SS109 GREEN TIP AMMO" for $399 per 1000rnds. Is this stuff any good? Or is there something else I should be looking at, at this price point?

I have also seen some wolf and barnaul deals out there for around $220 per 1000rnds. Some are laquer coated, some are polymer coated. Should I just avoid this? I am really confused about which to go with. Again I am looking for a round that does well everwhere ... plinking, defense, etc. And if the cheaper steel cased ammo is going to cause any problems, I'd rather just avoid it (if thats the case). Please advise. Thanks.
 
i feed my 556 whatever's cheapest. it eats it all just fine. haven't noticed much of a difference in groupings either. i've never used a chrono or anything on it, so i can't comment on that fine tuning type stuff.
 
I don't know much about the SIG, but for ARs using that round the rule of thumb is less twist (1:12) stabilizes lower weight bullets while higher twist rates (1:7 - 1:9) stabilize heavier bullets. The M855 you mention is 62 grain and works very well in 1:7 to 1:9 twist rate barrels, but is not adequately stabilized in 1:12 barrels. Do you know your barrel's twist (rifling) ratio?
 
Weren't the first batch 1/9? All new ones should be 1/7.


Anyway, shoot anything from 55gr and up. The higher you go in weight, the greater the chance it will be more accurate. Not a given or a guarantee. Just a generic rule of thumb for that twist.


I'd avoid the varmint bullets (sub 55gr).


Whatever the case, the most abundant supply of ammo will always be 55gr first then 62gr second. These two weights dominate the supply so much so, that the 3rd runner up is way, way down the list. Basically, go get anything else other than 55gr or 62gr, you're probably buying some type of medium to high quality ammo and paying a LOT more. 55gr and 62gr are the common weights loaded in ammo like Wolf, American Eagle, milsurp, and other basic ball loadings for a lower cost blasting ammos.


My point is, when it comes to buying bulk ammo, the decision is pretty much made for us unless you can afford to pay 2-3x as much for some premium ammo in bulk.
 
I'd pick up a couple of boxes of the blue Black Hills 68 Grain to play with, and then when you're tickled with your groups pick up a bunch of the other stuff (mentioned above) for practice, etc.

I think last time I was in cabela's you could pick up a 50 round box of the 68 grain stuff for $23.

Regards,
Dave
 
Thank alot for the replies.

So basically I should not be worried about Wolf or Barnaul laquer/polymer coated rounds gumming up this rifle? Has any1 tried this M855 SS109 GREEN TIP AMMO? Maybe I should get both?

Dont Tread On Me: I had always thought these were 1:7, but on the impact guns website where I just purchased from a couple days ago, it says 1:9! Does this mean I'm getting a problem-prone early model :confused: I bought the one with BUIS.
 
It's dead simple to tell if you've got 1x9 or 1x7. Take a cleaning rod, put on a jag and a cleaning patch an insert it until you're past the throat, Make a small mark back near the handle on the cleaning rod, and one where the rod is going into your bore guide. Holding the handle so the rod can rotate push it in until the mark back by your handle has made one complete revolution and make a mark on the rod just ahead of the bore guide. Pull the rod out and measure the distance between the two marks you made just ahead of the bore guide. If it's 7" then you have 1x7, if it's 9" then you have 1x9.

Have a good one,
Dave
 
Thanks for the prvi partizan advice. Should I be worried that its only 55 grains, or should i look past this?

Also, I want to purchase some "cheapo" wolf or barnaul to store away for a rainy day. Which is better, laquer or polymer? Thanks.
 
The polymer is supposed to be better than the lacquer in terms of gumming up your chamber. I'd make sure you clean your chamber really well after shooting either. (Just my .02)

Regards,
Dave
 
There was a pretty big debate over at AR15.com a while back over whether or not 55gr bullets were suitable for a 1 in 7 twist barrel. The people whose opinions I trust the most pretty much all said that the 55gr was perfectly fine for such a barrel. As was mentioned earlier I would stay away from the lighter weight "varmint" bullets.
 
My 556 eats and shoots anything >= 55gr just fine. It seems to group everything between 55gr and 68gr equally well. It is denting case mouths though, which is annoying because I reload. But fortunately, it doesn't seem to be denting them too badly. I think they're all fixable.

That thing really slings the brass. 20-30 feet.

I have yet to have a single failure with that rifle. Pretty damned happy with it thus far.

Oh, another thing, I contacted Sig customer support regarding steel case ammo. I'll quote their response here:

Thank you for your email.

Any ammunition that meets NATO/U.S. Military or SAAMI (Sporting Arms Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) specifications is authorized and recommended in our guns. Ammunition not meeting those specifications is not recommended and covered under our warranty. Most steel cased ammunition does not meet our specifications.

If in doubt, please check with the ammunition manufacturer and see if they meet NATO/US or SAAMI specifications.

Sincerely,
Click to expand...

That's news to me. I haven't followed up yet to find out if Wolf meets NATO/US/SAAMI specs.
 
thanks alot karnaaj, this helps alot.

when looking for ammo and ruling out the 55gr cartridges, i was left with few options. now i have many more choices.
 
I use 55 gr. in 1:7 barrelled guns often and it's just fine at the ranges I shoot. I don't know about 300 yards and over, though.
 
I use 55 gr. in 1:7 barrelled guns often and it's just fine at the ranges I shoot. I don't know about 300 yards and over, though.
Click to expand...

This is AR experience here, but mine (all have 1:7) like 62gr a LOT better out at 300.
 
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