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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - RADWAY GREEN (Page 5 of 8)
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Went through a 720 round can without a single problem. This was back when my main rifle was based off a Hart 16 inch heavy barrel, 1/9 twist, rifle length gas system (I beleive). Much less recoil than xm855, not sure if this is due to a weaker load or the lighter bullet, just reporting. All bright, shiny looking stuff. I didn't find a single defect in the can I got. Accuracy seems to be what you would expect ... I can hit the stuff I want to hit as far out as my eotech will allow. Beyond that, no idea. |
$175.00  Go to Aim and save some $$$ $129.95 per 720 with strippers, bandos, and can. www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/NATO_.223_SS109.html
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I just recieved my order from Copes Dist. today. While I did not get a chance to do an exhaustive test, I did put three mags (30 round mags) through my trusty BONE STOCK slab side Colt sp1 (1973 vintage) and had perfect function. Shot both slow and fast strings. Shile I didn't bother with a target, at 40-ish yards I was popping a couple of cans consistantly. THe bullet is to heavy for this rifle, but it seemed to hit pretty consistantly. If I get a chance this weekend I'll put up a target and do a couple of groups and snap a pic of the results. Initial thought is this will bve good for some plinking (and the occasional varmint in the garden). |
| I have recently bought three different lots of this SS 109 stuff from Aim and J&G, head-stamped either 1992 or 1993 and all have performed reliably in my Bushie 16" and 20" ARs. Shot about 300-rds total so far. No problems whatsoever, very accurate ammo, and a hotter 5.56 mm loading. Seems like the best stuff for the money nowadays given the scarcity of the usual favorites. |
A couple of weeks ago I wrote:
Well, after a couple more trips to the range, it appears my 20" Bushmaster likes both the '92 and '93 RORG. However, while my 16" Bushmaster likes the '92, it has a blown primer every 20 rounds or so with the '93 stuff. The 16" loves XM193, Spanish SS109 and Canadian SS109 (C-77), it just has problems with the '93 RORG. It's okay, though, because I'll just shoot up the '93 in the 20". Since the 16' has no issues with other ammo, including '92 RORG, I'm wondering about the pressure curve or burn rate of the '93 stuff. FWIW TT |
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Have put 400-500 rds of RORG '92 thru a 16" Wilson barreled upper/DPMS lower and 100 rds thru a 16" Armalite with no problems and good accuracy in both. After reading comments from TexasTea regarding problems with RORG '93 I'm interested in hearing if anyone else is having any problems as the local shop where I'm getting these has recently gotten some headstamped '93. |
I have put 400 thru a 16" and 20" warm weather and have had 2 ftf's Real early in one of two shoots. this is all rorg 93. When the ftf's happened the firearms were very clean. I didn't clean after the first shoot and had no problems. I would buy this stuff anytime for plinking. I like the Hornady Tap 75 grain for the home stuff. Really kills a mellon at 200 yards. 
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Firearms used: Colt M4 M-4 Carbine and a PAWS M-4 Carbine, both with a LMT Monolithic Rail Upper Receiver with a 14.5-inch barrel. Magazines used were the HK SA80 / M16 / M4 Generation II, steel construction and also GI aluminum with Magpul Generation II followers. In firing 250 rounds of this ammunition in both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire, I experienced 25 malfunctions and stoppages of various types (10-percent functionality error rate). My experience is consistent with the US Army Material Command memorandum advising against the use of this ammunition in M4 Carbines. I will not use this ammunition under any circumstances; very unreliable. 171935Z MAY 05 P UNCLAS NAVAMMOLOGCEN MECHANICSBURG PA TO XXXXX BT UNCLAS //N08025// MSGID/GENADMIN/NAVAMMOLOGCEN MECH PA// SUBJ/NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AMMO INFO NOTICE 041-05. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RELEASE OF UK (UNITED KINGDOM) 5.56MM, AMMUNITION FOR TRAINING AND COMBAT, STORAGE AND SHIPMENT TO EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST// REF/A/DOC/NAVSUP P-801/01APR2005// AMPN/TW024-AA-ORD-010 1 APRIL 2005// POC/xxxx xxxxx/GS-11/-/TEL:DSN 430-xxxx/TEL:717 605-xxxx /TEL:FAX 430- Xxxx/EMAIL:[email protected]// RMKS/LAST AIN XMITTED 121940ZMAY05 PAGE 02 RULSAMB1850 UNCLAS REQUEST FOLLOWING INFORMATION BE GIVEN THE WIDEST DISSEMINATION. TO MEET A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF 5.56MM AMMUNITION, THE ARMY HAS PURCHASED UNITED KINGDOM 5.56MM AMMUNITION, THAT WERE ALL PRODUCED BETWEEN 1997-2001 AND ARE THE UK'S NATO STANDARDIZED 5.56MM AMMUNTION. THERE ARE THREE UK CONFIGURATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED AS INTERCHANGEABLE WITH THREE US CONFIGURATIONS. THE CONFIGURATIONS ARE SUMMARIZED BELOW: UK- CTG. 5.56MM BALL, L2A2, CARTON PACK - NSN 1305-99-978-3163 AZ42 UK- CTG. 5.56MM BALL, L2A2, BANDOLEER - NSN 1305-99-978-3427 AZ40 UK- CTG. 5.56MM CLIPPED, 4 BALL/1 TRACER L2A2/L1A2, BANDOLEER - NSN 1305-99-978-3426 AZ41 THE RECIPIENTS WILL PRIORITIZE THESE MUNITIONS TO BE ISSUED / USED FIRST. EACH OF THE THREE UK 5.56MM CONFIGURATIONS WAS COMPARED AGAINST THE CORRESPONDING US 5.56MM CONFIGURATION FOR PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, AND RELIABILITY BY THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AT ARDEC TO ASSURE INTERCHANGEABILITY. BASED ON THIS REVIEW IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ALL THE REQUIREMENTS, STATED BY THE UK AND NATO SPECS, WERE MET AND THAT THE ONLY CRITICAL ISSUE IDENTIFIED WAS A UK FINDING THAT STATED A PROBLEM WITH FAILURE TO CYCLE MALFUNCTIONS EXPERIENCED WITH CARBINE, 5.56MM, M4 (1005-01-231-0973) RIFLES DUE TO DIFFERENCE IN RIFLE DESIGN BETWEEN THE M16A2 5.56MM RIFLE AND M4 5.56MM CARBINE. UK AMMUNITION SHALL NOT BE USED IN THE M4. THIS AMMUNITION WAS RELEASED FOR FULL USE IN THE M16A2 RIFLE AND M249 SQUAD AUTOMATIC WEAPON (SAW) AND IS ACCEPTABLE FOR USE IN WEAPON ZEROING AND QUALIFICATION FOR THE M16A2 AND THE M249. THE UK 5.56MM AMMUNITION IS A BALLISTIC MATCH FOR THE 5.56MM: M855, BALL ROUND (THE UK AMMUNITION DOES NOT HAVE A GREEN TIP, BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE M193, 5.56MM BALL ROUND). ONCE REMOVED FROM THE PACKAGING THE UK 5.56MM AMMUNITION IS DISTINGUISHABLE FROM U.S. MADE 5.56MM AMMUNITION BY THE HEAD STAMP, WHICH INCLUDES BOTH THE NOMENCLATURE L1A2 FOR THE TRACER CARTRIDGE AND L2A2 FOR THE BALL CARTRIDGE, THE LETTERS RG, DENOTING THE MANUFACTURER, AND A RED PROJECTILE TIP ON THE TRACER CARTRIDGE. THIS AMMUNITION WILL COME PACKAGED IN THE U.K. STANDARD PACKAGE (METAL CAN), WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE U.S. STANDARD AMMUNITION PACK FOR 5.56MM AMMUNITION. IT WILL BE MARKED WITH THE UK STANDARD MARKINGS AND NOMENCLATURE, INCLUDING THE NATO STANDARDIZATION SYMBOL "CLOVER LEAF.” THE US ASSETS WILL BE TRACKED BY THE UK NSNS AND THE NSNS WILL BE TRACKED BY THE ASSIGNED PSEUDO U.S. DODACS. FIRING UK AMMUNITION WILL INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF WEAPON CLEANING REQUIRED. ANY MALFUNCTION/PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH THIS AMMUNITION SHOULD BE REPORTED THROUGH NORMAL AMMUNITION REPORTING CHANNELS.// |
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Previously I posted on the surprisingly good cosmetic condition of Cheaper Than Dirt RG surplus; today is a brief range report. Platform is an 18" Frankenrifle (DPMS lower, RRA A2 upper, 1:9" twist, cut to 18" w/ Miculek brake, "homemade" 5 lb. trigger job, all else "GI"), Aimpoint w/2x attachment. Not my "best" rifle, but it is reasonably accurate, capable of 1.5-2MOA with Black Hills 69gr ReMan., and has never been finicky. Mags were gunstore "grab box" specials, with crummy followers, springs sifted out and replaced over time. 200 rds of RG fired today. Zero malfunctions. Of those printed for "score" (five 5-shot groups) average was 3.6 MOA -- preety good for steel core, if you ask me. Only chrono'd 10 rds (guy next to me borrowed the unit between runs AND SHOT IT --- CRAP!!!), so the data is definitely "FWIW", but avg vel=2944 f/s, SD=78 f/s. Although admittedly 200 rds isn't a huge sample, I'll probably get more. |
Something is wrong with your rifle, i have a setup just like yours and it eats RG all day long. |
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Fired 500 rounds, 20" 1:7 NATO A4-type rifle, no failures of any kind. Rifle cycled normally. At 350 I squirted some FP-10 into the gas holes in the bolt carrier and on the bolt behind the lugs. I did this because the rifle was hot, not because of any issues. Performance was within spec for M855 ball ammo. During cleanup I found a large amount of very hard carbon buildup on the rear of the bolt and inside the bolt carrier. Carbon was extremely hard to clean up, even with chrome inside the bolt carrier. |
You aren't kidding, I had the same experience. This last weekend I put about 200+ rounds through my Colt A2 HBAR, and it was a bear to clean afterwards. Carbon buildup was tough to get off the bolt, though barrel cleanup wasn't too bad. As far as performance, the rounds fired well, no malfunctions. Accuracy was reasonable, though I wasn't benching the rifle, just plinking, so I can't give any real data. Overall I'm happy and have purchased another can from AIM. |
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another good outing with the Radway Green today 500 + rounds total 1)16" RR carbine (carbine length gas system, RR barrel 1/9) 2)16" Frankenrifle (rifle length gas system, carbine length barrel, Clot barrel 1/7) 3)16" Frankenrifle (carbine gas system, Bushmaster HB 1/7) 7 30rd mags out of rifle #2--zero malfunctions 7 30rd mags out of rifle #3--zero malfunctions 3 maybe 4 30rd mags out of rifle #1--zero malfunctions (buddy's rifle) all rounds fired at fairly fast cadence as we were trying to simulate IDPA-type scenarios. I benched rifle #2 at 100yds and fired 20 rounds into about 4.5" using iron sights. I was pleased with this performance. all ammo fired was 92 or 93 headstamp. I'll buy the stuff until they run out. rob eta: was very hot and very humid today, 94 but felt well over 100. Biggest problem was keeping the sweat out of my eyes |
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Hardly scientific....I wanted to test for function right now.... Used my ArmaLite M4C, 16" bbl..... Used my R-G mags - it just seemed right.... Functioned, cycled, fed, ejected and LOCKED OPEN - all fine! The next step will be putting it on paper  - if my gun does not like it for whatever reason, it will make great plinking, blasting, 3-gun match ammo
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My report is not exactly scientific either... Just finished my first rifle and took it to the range with a box of RORG '93. Only got to shoot 70 rounds but it functioned perfectly and accuracy was decent, although I don't know exactly what to expect from this rifle yet. M4gery DPMS Lower/lpk/6-pos stock Del-Ton A3 Upper w/ handle Wilson 1/9 M4 16" Barrel Another shooter buddy was there with a complete DPMS M4 and shot 60 rounds, but had no problems either. |
Be careful about that. It's ok for use on paper targets, but will tend to beat up steel and will potentially penetrate softer steel targets, |
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Lots of good reports here. I have had issues with this stuff though, I don't have all of the details but maybe someone can help me troubleshoot a bit. I have a Bushmaster 16" A3 carbine 1:9 twist When I got this rifle I put roughly 1,000 rounds of XM193 through it without a single problem, slow and fast rate of fire. Started shooting the Radway Green stuff and have had malfunctions, seems like mainly short stroking. I would fire several 30 round mags without a problem and then I would pull the trigger on a few rounds fine, pull the trigger again and click, pull the bolt open, no round in the chamber? Let the bolt fly home and shoots fine, next time click. I would also have some failures to eject as well. I took my rifle out a week ago and had about 5 failures in 90 rounds. Came home did a quick clean and lube on the rifle and shot more Radway Green (only 60rds) without failure. I don't get it. I cleaned the rifle between the XM193 and Radway the first time around. I love this stuff because it's a decent price, comes with bando's, cans and stripper clips and it's fine for plinking but the malfunctions are not consistent with what I'm reading in this thread so what gives? Thoughts? I'm going to clean my rifle again (60rds since last cleaning) and do a really good job of it and take a couple hundred rounds out with me to see if it's a dirty rifle thing. |
I'd make sure it wasn't magazine related first. secondly, are you using enough lube? |
Same mags as used with the xm193 and 10 different mags, all bushmaster 30rd with green follower. As far as lube I soaked the bolt in it one time thinking that was it but still has issues. I've been using CLP but think I should be using grease? |
| I have only fired 10 rounds of radway, through a new jp upper. I fired about 30 rounds of win white box beforehand. The white box had 2-3 fte and the radway had 5-6. The upper obviously needs to be adjusted and/ or I need a lighter buffer spring. Anyhow it seems the radway hes a lower pressure than wwb 55gr softpoint. |
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I have so far fired only 120 rds of this stuff, with no problems to report. Both were shot through Bushmaster 16 inch 1/9 twist barrels. One was a HBAR, and one was not. I will say that i am impressed with how accurate it is. These were NATO stamped and all 720 rds were from 1989. I checked from top to primer on all of these and all I found was 1 round with a cracked primer that I would not chance firing, otherwise all of this ammo was very clean and sweet looking for 1989. I also was initially interested about this ammo, because of the price - as of 9/11/06 for 720 rds wirh stripper clips, and very brand new looking battle pack / bandoliers it is only $ 139.95. And the company says they have plenty in stock. Shot well, even though I had to rush, and could not take my time - good ammo and good price. Edit- On Sunday 9/17/06 I went to the Team Florida shoot at the Babcock range with many other fellow shooters that frequent this web site. I brought the remaining 600 rounds of this very good Radway ammo to blast away. I had both of my M4 type Bushmasters with me. Both were 1/9 twist chrome-lined barrels, one being a M4A2, the other a HBAR M4A3. I had a EOTech 551 w/ a Bennie Cooley front mount on the M4A2 and on the M4A3 flat top I had a Leopuld 4x12x40mm Rifleman scope on a 1 in quick detach riser. As stated above this was NATO stamped with an 89 date. I was able to rapid fire all I wanted to at this range, which was sweet. I used the 551 EOTech w/ the M4A2 Bushmaster, and yes about %90 I was ripping those rounds downrange ( 50 & 100 yds ) as fast as I could shag that trigger. The scoped Bushy I just shot all around pretty much taking my time firing at 100 yds with that one. I did not have 1 round cause me any problem at all. Usually I have 1 or 2, but not out of this ammo. I was and am still very impressed with this ammo. Even when I was cleaning these weapons, I was somewhat shocked that they hardly seemed all that dirty. I was expecting the bolt carrier group to be the worst, but to my amazement, this ammo is really so far the cleanest yet, in as far as having to clean the rifles. I highly recomend this ammo, it has been flawless, and I have had those Bushmasters eat many different grains and types/brands of 5.56x45mm or .223 Rem. It is really excellent ammo, and at a really good price, unless it is all snagged by now. Edit- On 10/29/06 I fired another 300+ rounds through the same rifles ( 2 16 in Bushmaster carbines ) One was still holding the EOTech 551 and the other (M4A3 HBAR) had the same Leupold exept that I had it on 2 leatherwood risers with high see through Leupold rings on the same 4x12x40mm Leupold. This ammo was from another can of 89 Nato stamped Radway ammo. I did not have one single problem at all from either weapon. This ammo did not seem to be underpowered at all, and if anything it seemed to be more blastable than many other types of 5.56 or 223 that I have fired. This ammo has been outf*ckingstanding so far, so I stocked up on 3 more cans, still going for $ 139.95 each as of 11/1/06. Edit- On 12/22/06 I had a problem with the 1989 62 gr stamped ammo. I had previously fired 2 each 720 rd cans through my 2 Bushmasters. Now both Bushmasters are flat-tops, or of the A3 config, because I swapped out the A2 upper for a V match Bushmaster flat top. On that one (new upper) I fired about 300+ with my Aimpoint CompM3 2 MOA with not a single problem. On my other Bushmaster, I took the EOTech 551 off, and put my Leopuld 4x12x40mm scope with Leopuld high rings on a LaRue Tactical QD-101 mount on, using the same 5 round, pretty new magazine. Well I needed to re-zero this set-up because it was previously on Leatherwood one half inch risers with the high Leopuld rings ( no quick detach on that ). So I fired the 1st shot, no problem, just needed to move about 20 MOA to the left. Now the problem- I fired the second shot with 1 round in the chamber, and 3 more in the magazine. The 2nd shot fired, but it was also more of an explosion. Now just to let any of you know, I check every round that I get in those 720 round .50 cans twice for any little defect that I think might even cause me a slight problem, the primers, the dings, dents, seating of the bullet, etc. - and I pull any round even if it has a little ding on the case. I check this ammo when I 1st get it, then sort it into the bandoliers, water-tight zip-lock bags or whatever. Then I do a final check before I load it into a magazine. So, I have no idea why this exploded, shattering and warping the pretty new 5 rd bushmaster magazine into pieces, and flashing out powder all over my firing arm, wrist and fingers. The bolt was jammed shut, and I finally got that tapped out at the range with the RO's. BTW- they kept the shattered round, but I do have a pic here to show you the results. I had to put in a brand new extractor with the spacer and spring. The extractor and 5 rd magazine are thankfully all that was damaged. It was a pretty good and loud kaboom-yow, but I was the only one on the 100 yd part of the range, so nobody noticed until I let the RO's know that a round shattered my mag and extractor/spring/spacer. The only guess that I have, is that maybe it had too much powder, other than that, I have no idea as to what or why it exploded. I still have about 100 1989 rounds, and I will fire them, and 2 more 720 rd 1990 .50 cal cans that I intend on firing, because I went back 4 days later and fired about 130+ of the 1989 rounds, and no problem. I re-zeroed the Leopuld with 55 gr WB Winchester Q3131A ammo, and once zeroed the 1989 ammo was almost as tight in groups at 100 yds as the Winchester was, that sort of surprised me, but not as much as the explosion. BTW- I will still use this ammo, but I will never cup the bottom of a magazine, like I have done once in a while in the past. Here is the pic- 
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Received four cans of Radway Green today. 720 cartridges, 72 stripper clips and 6 bandoleers in each can. Brass is clean and bright without any tarnish. BTW, I took off from work for a few hours today to see how the RG shoots. It functioned perfectly in my Colt CAR-A3 HABAR Elite. Except for a few flyers, accuracy was excellent. See results below.  
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This is Surp'ed ammo, sold off after it went out of date. How did you get new manufactured stuff? |
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Got a picture of this mysterious 06' Headstamp? |
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unless you're reading the "90" as "06"? I haven't seen any new mfg. RORG... you could be a lucky bastage.
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I would get the 4 cans regardless, run a can through your SHTF rifle and if they all go without a problem then you have three others you can stash away or do whatever with. I have four cans of the stuff and I've had issues with it but will still buy more because it's a good deal with the extra goodies (strippers, bandos and cans). I would get it if I were you but did you say it was 175.xx a can + tax? That's high, it's still at 139.95 through AIMSurplus. |
as stated above, get it cheaper through AIM get a can, shoot it to ensure correct function. get more cans if everything goes well. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - RADWAY GREEN (Page 5 of 8)
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