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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - PMC (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/3/2004 6:51:57 AM EDT
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Please add your personal experience with PMC ammunition to this thread. When you do, please give information about: 1) Ammunition used 2) Firearm used in 3) Approximate number of rounds fired. From chasmcg's post out of a 16" barrel: Velocity: 3002fps, StdDev: 25.31 (55gr FMJ) For more information about this ammunition, check out the PMC website Let's limit this to .223/5.56 ammunition, since this is an AR-15 forum. No offense to the guys with AR's in other calibers, but we all know that .223 chamberings are the most sensitive. I am trying to solicit only information about your PERSONAL experience with this ammunition. If you haven't used it, then please don't clutter up the thread. Information about proper functioning (or lack thereof) is obviously the most important, but factors such as the accuracy or other peculiarities you've noticed are informative also. If you have had problems with this ammo which were severe enough to cause you to stop using this ammo, then please describe them. And one more minor request: keep your reviews objective. This post is part of a larger information-gathering effort I'm trying to start about ALL ammunition popular in AR's: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=169729. |
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I've gone through a few cases of PMC 55gr FMJ-bt. ~3k rds I've been happy with it if the price is right (not worth it for over $150/k, might as well get m193 spec). I've used it in AR15s and an HK SL8. Accuracy is okay. It's good for plinking. If you are a reloader and want to use the brass, for some reason it has less case capacity than other .223 brass (So pass it up if you intend to reload). |
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I've had problems with PMC .223 in the past. I have not purchased any for about 4 years. My problems were the result of the cases being too soft. There would be brass shavings all over the inside of the rifle. Brass shavings worked their way into the ejector and jammed it after about 700 rounds. This same rifle has and continues run perfectly on other ammo types. PMC cases are also difficult to reload. There is a ring in the primer pocket that makes seating a new primer difficult. |
| I have nearly 2000 rounds of PMC through two different AR's (20 inch Oly & 16 inch M4 RRA) and havew had a couple of jams. Those were due mags double feeding and nothing to due with the ammo. Great plinking ammo and is usually cheaper and easier to get than winchester white box. I buy PMC whenever I can. |
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Quoted: I havent used this ammo yet, but a shop has a sale on it right now. Does it feel underpowered to you? Hotter than wolf, less that Lake City or other mil-spec? Any speculation? Thanks I can remember what it chronoed at but it's not hot stuff at all. I'd say along the lines of wolf. It's "underpowered", and only for range work/plinking. |
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PMC used to be loaded very close to M193 specs, very fast ammo back around 6 years ago when it had the red primer sealant and M193 type 55grn bullet. Then somewhere around summer of 1998 the stuff dried up(maybe it was 1999), accusations of imports being restricted due to the stuff being made on US donated equipment to the Koreans. When the stuff returned, it was loaded to much lower velocities. Perhaps a change from Nato spec to SAMMI spec. That's when I started having short cycles with one of my Bushmasters when I'd never had any before. Price didn't seem to be quite right anymore either. Then, maybe close to 2 years ago another change was made where the ammo coming into the country was near identical/spot on to that of South African ammo. Different bullet as well as different primer sealant, definitely different stuff. I've got a bunch of this stuff but haven't really run all of it through my ARs yet. |
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Used 55 grain Korean-made PMC. They sell this at the range at which I shoot. I've probably used about 300 rounds. No problems, good accuracy considering the price. This was shot mainly through a Colt CAR-A3, but some went through a Steyr USR. The primer pocket was crimped, but it reloads just fine. |
| Well I bought 100 rounds of it today to try out and it all works, so no complaints. Seemed hotter than Silver Bear, which I tried as well. The headstamp says PSD 03. It looks just like Lake City or IMI. Has the unpolished case with the grayish discoloration at the neck and red sealant on the bottom around the primer. Seems like the old mil-spec stuff. I like it. To bad its 3.99 a box at the local gun shop. |
| I've burned 200-300 rounds of PMC 55 grain in my 20" Bushmaster flattop with no trouble. I stoped buying it only because I plan to reload and I would prefer to have Winchester brass, and it's somewhat inconvenient to go and buy it. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it again for any reason. |
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Fired a about 3k rounds over time thru a 20" bbl bushy. PMC 223 Target ammo. This was one of the bargain choices in the late 90's early 2000's before Ivan got his Sh+t together on the Wolf 223{Polymer coated}. I usually got it from CTD for about $3 to $3.50 box. Never had any failures, but this stuff is UNDERPOWERED. Good for the 223 chambers like the Mini14. Good plinking stuff, Hit the gong at 200 meters on most attempts at the range with a 3-9x40 cheap scope. Since Ivan fixed the Wolf 55gr 223 stuff with a MV 3240 somewhat - The cost is too high to bother with. Would like PMC to change this to the circle and cross Nato spec 5.56. |
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1) Ammunition used 2) Firearm used in 3) Approximate number of rounds fired. 1) PMC .223 REM, 55gr. FMJ-BT, Headstamp: P M C 223 R E M LOT NO.: 223A-224 2) Bushmaster XM15E2S, 20"barrel 3) 100+ No problems. Good performance. Purchased 200+ rounds several years ago at a retailer for $4.50 per box of 20. The box is white with red striping. It has established a personal benchmark for my target practice and plinking at the rifle range. I've used this as a "known" ammunition to re-zero a scope after it had been removed and remounted with different rings. I'm satisfied. Sincerely, Craig Edited to add: "Made in R.O. Korea" on backside of box. Lot number found inside the top flap of carboard box. |
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16in Bushmaster probably around 500 rounds +/-100 regular 55gr fmj pmc, the stuff that's around $3.50/box of 20 Never had a single problem with it (or PMC in any other caliber I have used) Sighted in my new scope with it yesterday. Worked well and was consistant in grouping. Now if I can just hold a bit steadier  probably going to buy another 500 rounds or so in the near future and rotate out my older south african "battlepack" stuff (which was also good ammo while it was available) that's currently on stripper clips as my bug out ammo |
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I bought two cases of this stuff over two years ago and it worked fine in "most" of my rifles... HOWEVER I have one rifle that gets indigestion from it, noted this is unique to this one particular rifle, never had an issue with any other rifle and have had a bunch of folks try it in their rifles and it worked fine my Finnicky rifle short strokes and rams the empty right back in the chamber with this stuff or wolf also, as well as several brands of reloads it works quite well with Winchester white box, Israeli "OLIN" Manuf. LC 2003 xm193 and every round of XM855 that it has had through it. It likes military ammunition 100% even my own reloaded Tracer functions flawlessly (they are fun sometimes). So that being said I don't even buy the stuff any more. If I can't feed all my rifles with it then why bother YMMV |
| I've used PMC 55gr FMJ-BT in my Armalite M15A4 and have had one minor problem in 30 rounds so far. After returning home I examined all empty cases and found that one had a split in the neck approximately 3/16" in length from the opening downward toward the heel of the case. All ammo loaded and ejected properly. |
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I tried two loadings from them. The bronze line 55 grain ball and the silver line .223 that uses the 69 grain Sierra Match King bullet-informed by PMC that it's not a match load, just uses a match bullet. I shot both in an Olympic Ultra Match 20" 1n10 twist. eight five shot groups averaged out to .6" for the 69 grainers and .8" for the bronze line 55 gr ball. 100 yards using a bipod, prone. I'm lucky in regards to ball ammo in my ar based rifles, 193 shoots .75 for me in my current 20"(merchant barrel) Mark |
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1. PMC "bronze Line" 55 gr FMJBT 2. Colt pre-ban 20" Heavy Barrell 3. 200 yards About 100 rounds fired OK; groups at 1-2 moa. Only problem is trying to get more of this stuff here in Ohio from our retailers. PMC has a factory "promo" where they drive one of two PMC Semis to your retailer allegedly "loaded" with ammo. Last year, 2004, the entire semi had, get this, a 20 round box of 5.56 mm FMJ in 55 grain! This year, a few weeks ago in Ashland, Ohio, at Fin-Fur-Feather Outdoors the semi pulled up for 2005 with zero, repeat ZERO 5.56 mm. I wrote the head honcho at PMC (they even have a neat "complaint form" on line to use) but that was4-5 weeks ago and I ain't heard diddly squat. |
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Ran some PMC over my chronograph today. Here is what is on the box: PMC 223A 223 Rem 55 Gr FMJ-BT Made in R.S.A. (Republic of South Africa I think?) Lot 047 stamped on the inside of the box. ETA: Published MV on PMC's website is 3200 FPS. Rifle: LMT Upper, 16" chrome lined 1/7 barrel with an A2 FH, carbine gas system. Approximately 2,500 rounds down the tube. Chronograph and conditions: Pact Model 1, 24" sky screens with measurements taken at 3 feet. Temperature: 80 degrees Humidity: 47% Elevation: Approximately 1200 feet 10 shots fired (I didn't write down all ten, just the average and ES) Average MV for 10 shots: 3010 FPS Extreme spread: 52 FPS (lo was 2989, hi was 3041) I wish I had brought some XM193 with me for comparison. I think the MV posted in the XM193 review says 3094 or something like that. I don't know under what conditions however. So it would seem that the PMC isn't all that under-powered in comparison. |
| I just shot 200 rds through my Armalite 16" yesturday. Tle Lake City XM193 hit a lot better, so did American Eagle. However, the PMC was an older lot which should not make much difference. FYI, I was not impressed when I was shot it through my old 20" Colt either. |
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Sticks in my MAS 49-56 where M80 does not for some reason. probably a tight re-chambered barrel to blame. the ejector rips the shit out of the rim but it only happens once in a blue moon. enough to not trust it with my life... ETA: sorry thats probably useless since i'm talking about 7.62... maybe it applies across the brand sometimes? |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - PMC (Page 1 of 2)
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