XM-193... How does it do out of a 16" ?

[goon]

After doing some playing around getting familiarized with my "new" Olympic 16" AR, I am looking to possibly buy some ammo to keep around for it.
I was originally thinking about getting some M-855 and some 69 grain BTHP variation and hoping that they would be close enough to POI to share the same zero.
I was planning to do this because I was under the impression that XM-193 wouldn't fragment because it would lose too much speed out of a 16" barrel. I have since done some reading that suggests that it will still have enough velocity to fragment out to about 150 yards from a carbine. If that is the case it would work perfectly for what I want it for.
This would also simplify my ammo requirements and cost less because I wouldn't immediately need to start buying expensive ammo (M-855) and really expensive ammo (Black hills 69 grain BTHP).
While we are on the subject, where can I get some XM-193?
Ammoman has it for what seems like a reasonable price. Does anyone else have it?
Does the stuff that is currently being sold by ammoman have sealed primers and sealed bullets? Since this stuff is going to most likely be tried and then the rest of it just kept around for awhile, being sealed is a huge plus.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

 

[billwiese]

XM193 will do you just fine. I find the non-bulk-packed XM193 (in the 20rd brown cardboard boxes) is best - as opposed to the loose-pack stuff.

BTW, XM193 is some of the most accurate bulk ammo I've shot. Better than Q3131A. I've shot it outta 16" 1x7" and 1x9" twist 16" bbls and 1x7" 20" bbls, chrome lined and unlined.

I do not think XM193 has sealant on it. However, storage in a sealed ammo box w/ dehumidifier material will stop worries.

I love XM193 ammo and seek it out whenever I can find it. Never a dud, fail to fire or extract, etc.


Bill Wiese
San Jose, CA

 

[Skofnung]

If you are planning on hoarding 5.56 for social problems and targets, XM193 is the way to go IMO. M-855 (SS-109) is not great against unarmored targets from what I've read.

Steer clear of the XM193PD (the loose packed stuff) if you can. It has a much higher failure rate.

I don't know about ammoman's current crop, but every round of XM193 that I've seen so far has been sealed, at least at the primer. An old sock with kitty litter crystals tied up in the ammocan will help with long term storage.

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

M193 is the way to go...

Q3131/ AKA Winchester White Box/WWB- SHOULD fragment out to about 150yds or more...BUT(big but) even if it doesn't fragment past 150yds, it should still go through and through an unarmored target out to a guesstimated 350-400 yards. Probably even do that on a brodside shot. During a riot-type or EOTWAWKI-type situation, that is all I would be worried about, penetration at distance/instant stops up close !!

 

[Double Naught Spy]

RRA R4 (or whatever they call it) with a 16" barrel and flash hider shooting XM193, 1:9 twist, 4x scope, 75% hit on 6x6 square at 400 yards with the help of a spotter.

So the stuff is fully capable of being accurate from a 16" barrel over quite some distance.

While I have not checked it for accuracy over as great of a range, I have recently purchased and shot some 1990s vintage Radway (Brit) SS109 that seemed to shoot fine as well.

I assume all the XM193 stuff is sealed. I haven't ever purchased any that wasn't, be it from Ammoman, Natchez, or Sportsman's Guide.

I do agree the loose stuff is not as good as the boxed stuff. I hate opening the boxes, but the ammo is in better shape.

Note, XM193 ammo doesn't fragment by distance but velocity. If still 2700 fps at 150 yards, great. With a worn barrel, your distance may fall. You really need to clock the velocity from a fixed distance and use a ballistic calculator to assess the velocity at various distances.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

XM193, chrono'd from a 16" 5.56 1/7 twist chrome lined Colt AR-15, in 79 degree Florida weather and elevation did:

3,249fps average with a SD of 33. Chrono was 10ft away.


Lake City brass is the best brass. It resizes, primes and trims the better. XM193 is hot stuff. You can actually feel the AR begin to kick a little, unlike Wolf, which doesn't even move the rifle.


XM is good quality ammo in every aspect. Never had an issue at all.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

At 3249 fps near muzzle, you should still be getting more than 2700 fps beyond 200 yards. Without knowing all the parameters, as near as I can estimate, 225 would still be in the range of just over 2700.

I read somewhere that fragmentation happens as low as 2500, just not as reliably. So that would extend potential effective range out to about 300+ yards (potential being the key word in regard to fragmenting).

 

[Stiletto Null]

Reliably?

Stuff like polymer-tipped bullets (V-Max and the like) which are made to either expand or rip apart on impact. Those will go shredder down to like 2000 ft/s.

 

[pcf]

14.5-16" + XM193 = Big Fireball

That's the only thing I don't like about it. A flash hider helps alot, especially a vortex or phantom.

Great stuff at 50yds it'll do a number on a feral cat.

 

[ocabj]

Reliably?

Stuff like polymer-tipped bullets (V-Max and the like) which are made to either expand or rip apart on impact. Those will go shredder down to like 2000 ft/s.

Not all polymer tipped bullets are designed to expand or "rip apart". It depends on the intended application the manufacturer had in mind. The V-Max and Interbond bullets with polymer tips by Hornady were designed for varminting and hunting applications, respectively. But their A-Max bullets are designed strictly for accuracy (long ogive, vld design).