User Panel
Posted: 1/22/2008 4:26:44 AM EDT
reviews of the loose packed ammo,
first two shipments have Winchester brass anything after April will have brass just marked M193 08 |
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Received a special package.
This is a new 55gr FMJ commercial ammunition coming to market. I received it from www.aimsurplus.com/ Physical observations: Ammo was shipped in loose pack bag, in cardboard box. Upon external inspection, the ammunition looks very similar to most commercial 55gr .223. It was clean and highly polished, with no signs of annealing visible. A silver primer was used. The cases in this lot were new Winchester commercial. The primers were not crimped. The cartridges have been roll crimped into the cannelure. A small sample of external dimensions were measured:
This demonstrates good consistency. External dimensions were checked in a Dillon case gauge: Headspace dimensions were in spec, and brass trim length was appropriate. A bullet setback test was performed. Cases were measured for overall length, and then pushed into a wooden block with a significant amount of force by hand. Cases were then re-measured:
While some setback was achieved - the cannelure did not allow any more setback to occur. These results are consistent with the results when the same test is applied to factory Remington 55gr FMJ and Federal American Eagle 55gr FMJ. When performing this same test on Black Hills match ammunition without a cannelure - a bullet is allowed to be set back entirely into the case. Component observations: A bullet was pulled to examine components. We can see that there was no primer sealant, or tar bullet sealant used. The bullet has a deep cannelure, is a 55gr full metal jacket with a boat tail, and open base. This is consistent with M193 bullets. The case is a new factory Winchester commercial. The powder is a very flattened disc shape. A sample of components were pulled, to examine consistency of the load:
The results show the ammunition to be very consistent with respect to powder charge and bullet weight. The brass weight variance is typical for Winchester brass. Test firing: 100 rounds were fired for function and accuracy testing. A Bushmaster 16" chrome lined carbine, and a stainless kreiger barreled SPR were used as test weapons. All 100 rounds performed as expected. There were no short strokes or ammunition related failures. The ammunition was then tested for accuracy at 100yds in the SPR: The average of several 5-shot groups measured 1.2". A single 10 shot group was fired, and measured 1.06" Chrono data: 10 rounds were fired from a 20" and a 16" barrel, each. Chrony was a "Shooting Chony" ~15ft from the muzzle. 55 degrees, elevation 820ft.
A control group was shot using south african M193 on the same day, which averaged 3198 fps from a 20" barrel, which is right on from previous testing. This ammo is loaded a bit on the slow side. The velocity is averaging 323fps less than M193. This is very similar to the measured velocity of black hills ammunition, and slightly less than the measured velocity of Federal American Eagle. Overall conclusions: The ammunition appears in spec for new factory .223 ammo. This is not M193 spec, however, it is very comparable to Remington 55gr FMJ, Federal American Eagle FMJ, and Black Hills 55gr FMJ. It functioned reliably in the weapons tested. The velocity averaged 2877fps from my 20" barrel. The accuracy was the most suprising - this is very accurate ammunition... yeilding a 10 shot group of just over 1" |
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i popped off about 300rds last week (most were suppressed), everything functioned perfect, (fired some full auto and they ran perfect and consistent). I didn't get to shoot anything but steel plates so no accuracy measured. looking forward to more tests.
Very Thorough FALARAK. |
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I took 200 rounds of this ammo to the range today. The brass was shiny with no dents, and the bullets were seated evenly in the rounds that I examined. The temperature was 49 degrees with a 3mph wind and 83% humidity. I used a Bushmaster 20in 1/9 twist chrome lined A3 and a Bushmaster 16in 1/9 twist carbine with an TA31DOC ACOG. I had no malfunctions with either weapon and noticed no abnormalities during firing. From a bench with the 20in and iron sights, my 5 shot groups averaged between an inch and 1.75 inches not counting the one flier that was my fault. with the 16in carbine, my groups tightened to right around an inch. The ACOG was most likely the cause of that. Of both weapons and 10 five shot groups, my best group was a hair under an inch, and the worst was right about three inches with the flier. I had no trouble hitting the 300m 8in gong with either weapon. All the fired brass looked good with no deformities or splits. My groups were similar to the results that I get from my 55gr FMJ red box Black Hills. It is good ammo as long as everyone remembers that it is loaded to .223 specs instead of 5.56 pressure. I would definitely buy some more if the price is right. I will get some pics up when I figure out the new digital camera I bought to take pics of the test.
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Wondered what the deal was, been checking every so often and don't see anything on it. |
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So when can us ammo whores expect this to hit the Aim Website for mass consumption?
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For a 1,000rds right? How about 500rds if you can? Thanks! |
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I went out to the range today and fired the rest of the rounds that Bryan sent me. I had a 5 round group off the bench at 100 yds that was one ragged hole. I was able to hit the 4 inch gong every shot out of a 30 round mag at 500yds with my RRA carbine with ACOG. I have got to get some more of this ammo.
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A 4" gong at 500yds??? That is sub MOA out to 500.... with an acog on a carbine? Surely not? |
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The carbine is a RRA carbine lower with a match trigger. The upper was built for me by PK Firearms. It has a RRA bolt and upper with a Wilson bead blasted stainless air guaged 16in barrel on a 10 in Troy free floated rail. The ACOG is a TA31DOC. it has crosshairs, instead of the chevron like most other ACOGs in addition to the Docter red dot sight. I shot better groups than the two other folks that fired my rifle that day. I really need to man up and get pics soon. I really was pleased with the ammo though.
I will work on the pics, I promise. I don't want to sound like one of those internet space shuttle door gunners. |
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i have some available right now, not enough to put on our website, $339/m
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$339 per million??!!?!! I'll take 3 m!!! CXS |
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What manufacturer produced this latest 223 ammo? Forgive if I missed this in an earlier post.
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A large manufacturer built the bullets and brass, and a DOD contractor is putting it together for us.
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Bryan,
I was about to order some last night, but it was late and I decided just to wait for the morning so I could scan in my ID. Now it is gone so I take it you are sold out of this ammo? Guess I should not have waited. |
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it should pop up on the sight but you will have to call to order
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Is it already gone? I was out of town and I don't see it listed on your website
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One thing I know about AIM... always, always call to check. you never know what they have a little left of. |
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Ordered 1k yesterday. Damn Active Topics button! Damn You!!!!!
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Ordered 2K this afternoon. Looking to shoot it in a pair of bolt guns -- Rem 700 and Savage 10FP.
Thanks Bryan! |
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I just bought 1K of this from AIM, it's the stuff pictured on their website currently ("M193", "08" headstamp). Yesterday I shot about 80 rounds, it seemed pretty accurate (had one 3-shot group through one ragged hold @50 yards). I did have one misfire, though. The primer was firmly dented, it just didn't go bang. This might just be a statistial fluke, I'm just throwing it out there as a data point. No prior misfires on this setup, out of about 500 rounds (mostly shooting Rem UMC .223).
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I would like to try this stuff,but Im affraid it wont meet power factor if I get chronoed at a match.
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That's exactly what I was thinking......I just ordered 1K rounds of it....I hope it makes the 150 PF out of my 18" JP rifle !!!!!! |
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Bump up the fps a bit and I'd be in. Many,many more would be in as well. You could do it on the next batch. It's never too late.
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its too late, they are running this on contract and its too late to make any changes, changing it now changes the contract, which changes the price, and if this price hadn't been already locked in it wouldn't be as cheap. there is a chance to change it in 2009 but no guarantee on price for that.
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