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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - RADWAY GREEN (Page 2 of 8)
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With all these questions re: RG, I decided to do a re-test using my 3 shorties today. Using 2 standard length H-BAR rifle barrels and one space gun with 24 inch barrel, I have NEVER had a problem with RG 5.56 from AIM with functioning. Today, however, a different picture. I took my three 16 " carbines to the range and 4 belts of RG 89 ammo. First gun is a STAG arms flat top shorty upper from AIM mounted on a Pre Ban Eagle Arms lower. Radway Green and LC XM855PD both functioned the gun flawlessly. Second Gun...Olympic Arms Heavy Match upper, 1/8 twist, on a Pre Ban Eagle Arms lower. After 200 rounds of Radway, the gun began to short stroke....ie eject the empty but not go back far enough to pick up a new round. Switched to XM855PD ammo and the gun functioned 100% once more. Switched back to Radway Green and short stroke begins anew. Third gun is a Colt 16 inch Heavy barrel with 1/9 twist. For a couple hundred rounds the Radway worked fine. Then the dreaded short stroking. Switched to XM855PD and full function without skipping a beat. 2 mags were used...genuing Colt 20 rounders. Didn't matter which mag was used, after the 3 guns got dirty, 2 of them would not cycle with Radway beyond spitting out the empty. Remember, this failure was ONLY with two 16 inch barrel guns. Full length 20 inch Colt H-Bars function fine with RG 89. |
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Picked up a 900 round can from AIM Surplus, put 50 rounds through the 20" A4gery today. Couldn't fire more than 2 rounds without it short cycling. Longest string I could get was 7. It would eject the spent cases but fail to strip the next one from the magazine. 900 rounds is going to last a long time on single shot... |
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I have a Bushmaster patrolmans carbine that doesn't seem to like Radway Green too much, will run fine for a magazine or two, then start jamming. It will not eject the spent casing, and tries to feed the next round into the chamber with the spent one sitting on top of it, is this short stroking, or something else that I am missing. I thought it was a bad ejector spring, but the gun runs fine with XM193, and the ejector moves freely.................what's up with this stuff? John |
| I picked up a case of 900 on stripper clips. The box had U.N. markings and the cases had 87 headstamps. After about 20 rounds out of a new rifle with a 14.5 in. barrel the rifle would begin to short cycle at least 30% of the time. The rifle did a little better with it as it broke in, but it never matched PMC or Winchester white box. To be fair, I know that the Ammo was stored improperly. I may try another bandoleer if I can find some newer stuff, but until then I won't buy another case. |
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You make the decision underpowered or not Chrony Results are In. These boys are on the Ball Radway Green SS109 Chrony Results |
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I know you guys are getting it BDR form at the moment. However, I thought I would post a picture of the CTNS, to show you there are several 'types' of RG. All are 62gr SS109, although the propellent type and therefore the charge weight can change. Note:-There were two main loads, (now only one) The early 1985/6 L2A1, which caused some problems (low power) and The later L2A2 which you guys should have in BDR. (NATO spec) For those who don't know:- The Black circle denotes Ball ammo The Circle with cross denotes NATO spec The Clover/Cross pattern denotes NATO interoperability. The top right box was for a UK Police contract (G36) loaded with Ball powder (5.562mm  )The top left box is the latest incarnation, and is the type issued to US Forces in IQ. Green Tips can be found painted on RG ammuntion. However it is very very rare, The bottom left CTN is contract ammuniton for/from FN, it has green tips! 
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This "data" is from the "Widner's Wholesale" website and they thoughfully included a BUY NOW button. Hardly independent testing! BTW these are the same people who told me the "FN Manufactured" - Equadorian 8mm I bought from them was "non-corrosive". Not according to my barrel! 
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The two carbine gas system rifles I have shot this stuff in eat it with no complaints. I have not shot any in a full length rifle. I think the issue with the late 80's/early 90's vintage stuff is not the muzzle velocity but the burning rate and the port pressure. It seems it is the long gas systems that are having the issues. The Widner's link mentions that it is a stick IMR type powder and not ball propellant. A carbine length gas system is going to be more tolerant of a fast burning powder. Remember the Brit SA85 has a short gas system like the Carbine AR's with the gas port relatively close to the chamber. My question is whether it meets spec for port pressure in a 20 inch weapon. |
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Possible Coupon score at SG for Radway if you like this ammo. www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=244701&pn=1 720 rds $149.00 w/out menbership $134.97 w/ membership Use the coupon code SPG2020 (below) for $10.00 off orders over $99.00 www.sportsmansguide.com/section/section.asp?s=2993#top I got it shipped for 140.96 Not shabby if you like this ammo. JR |
When I had some RG short-stroke failures in a rifle, the best way to describe the operation of the bolt/buffer was "lazy". It felt like a slow "shove" as opposed to the normally quick "slap". This was noted in a gun that fires M855, XM193, Adcom, Federal AE and Federal Frangible with no issues whatsoever. My impression was that the ammo was weak, but perhaps you're correct with the rifle's gas port pressure theory. Maybe I'll try some RG in a carbine. |
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Purchased 720 rounds from SG a few weeks ago, and finally got a chance to try it. Head stamp is '92 and has nato marking. Fired approx. 150 rounds through Bushmaster 20" without any malfunctions whatsoever, came back from the range and ordered another can of 720. At first I removed my Enidine buffer because of reading about short stroking issues. After a few "flawless" (ammo, not the shooter!) mags, I reinserted the Enidine, and it continued to perform without any malfunctions. Accuracy seemed to be on par with Q3131, maybe even better. Shell ejection was robust. Recoil with BM Izzy brake and Enidine was laughably low! I would have like to "sample" more, but was short on time. Although this test is hardly "thorough", I felt confident enough to buy more. FYI, price with coupon, buyer's club discount, and shipping is $149.95. Price includes ammo can, 72 strippers, and bandoleers, so I think there's some "added value" in this purchase. |
| So far, approx. 600 rds. of 90 date through a Mod 0 clone (18" brl. w/A1 stock) and Bushmaster 16" 1/9, also A1 stock, not a single problem. Shoots about 2 MOA at 100 with the Mod. 0 and about 2-3 MOA in the Bushmaster 1/9 at 100. Good stuff, a little different recoil impulse, kind of more like a "squish". Put down a big javelina (I'd say around 60+) with it at 175 yds., which produced an ice pick entry and exit hole through the shoulder blades a tad below and under the ear (he was trotting and I did not lead him enough). Very alive when I got to him, but down where he was hit. |
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Fired 300 rds through a 16" bushy with no problems . No problem hitting those orange skeet birds at 100 yds with the irons. Purchased from SG and dated 92. Recoil didn't seem any different than the XM855PD stuff I have been firing and the accuracy was just as good if not a little better. Strippers and bandos a nice bonus. I would definately buy more at the right price. BD |
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Well.. I ordered 1000 rounds from JG Sales on Tuesday and the ammo arrived yesterday (Friday). It came packaged in two boxes with 500 rounds each. I took out my Jam-O-Matic 16" light barrel parts gun. It jams on everything but .mil loads. I fired around 400 rounds this morning without a problem, not one. Very glad I made the purchase. thanks, Ron |
| I have fired 200 rounds through my StagArms M4 and had no problems so far. The ammo is 1991 lot, came on stripperclips with bandoliers. Ammo was in good shape, some shiny brass most was kinda dull with that "heat" looking discoloration near the neck. Sorted through all 1440 rounds and all seemed to be in good shape. When my Predator upper gets in I will try it in that also. |
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todays date, approximately 38 degrees farenheit ammo' Radway Green '92 L2A2 lot? RG28.2.92 rifle #1 Colt AR 15 A2 Sporter model, 20 inch barrel iron sights -fired 40 cartridges from brand new USGI 30 round magazines, -0 malfunctions -recoil felt different; short and light felt impulse -accuray, 3.5 inch groups at 100 yards (sling and prone) (WWB gave me 2.5 inch groups just prior) rifle #2 RRA midlength chrome lined, 16 inch barrel, aimpoint sights -fired 160 rounds in brand new USGI 30 round magazines -0 malfunctions -recoil felt the same in carbine as with standard WWB -accuracy not significantly different than WWB at 50 yards (offhand firing) -very clean, cleaner than UMC after reading the posts preceding this, I'd like to shoot several hundred rounds and see if I can cause a shortstroking issue or a build up of fouling. So far so good. SoS |
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FWIW, I just got back from firing 150 rds of RG for function test in a RRA 16" barreled rifle. No problems. This is 1990 stuff. Fired well, reasonable accuracy. I'll run another test next Sunday which is my only day off. If all goes well, I'll most likely pick up a few more cans. Groucho |
| Army guy here. Seems the Lake City stuff is going to the war zones and we are given the crap to shoot. It turn into a nightmare with failure to extracts after about 7-8 mags in 50% percent of the M4s. It is just a fucking nightmare. Our training sucks. This is the L2A2, in 30 round cardboard boxes. Unforutitly, this is all we have to shoot. I guess I can recommand the ammour issues out a clearing/cleaning rod along with the rifles. |
So the US Army issues British RG ammo? What year is the ammo in question? |
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Last week I reported 150 rds down range with no problems. Not so this Sunday. 150 rounds fired with three failures to eject. The rounds that failed didn't seem to have the same impulse as the other rounds. The recoil was very soft. I opened the rifle each time to check for a squib. Rifle is an RRA carbine, mid length gas tube, chromed chamber and barrel. Ammunition was 1990. As I said last week, if I have no problems this week, I'll pick up a few more cans. Well, I didn't like the problems and I won't be getting more. I'll very carefully fire up what I have left and probably pick up some XM855, AE, or Winny. Groucho |
Is there a way to tell the difference from the headstamp? Does anyone carry this stuff boxed and not loose? Does anyone know if Widener's or SG let you request L2A2? Which company am I more likely to get L2A2? FN L2A2? Sorry for all the ???'s 
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99 AND 2000. YES, THEY ISSUE SHITTY BRITISH AMMO FOR OUR TRAINING. |
The stuff you want for AR use is marked L15A1 that is ball powder loaded 'M855 UK copy' Limited amounts in the UK at the moment. However I don't think there is enough of it surplus to make it worth a company shipping to the USA |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - RADWAY GREEN (Page 2 of 8)
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