Ammunition review - Remington/UMC

AR-15 » Ammunition

AR Sponsor:

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - Remington/UMC (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 7/5/2006 10:22:08 AM EDT

Yet another archived thread I had to resurrect. LINK TO ARCHIVED THREAD

If you vote in the poll and report minor or major problems, then PLEASE post below and let everyone know why you voted the way you did. If you don't, then you're doing a disservice to the members who are basing their purchasing decisions on this post.

PLEASE DO NOT VOTE IF YOU'VE ALREADY VOTED IN THE PREVIOUS POLL. I will calculate the correct percentages which go into the main ammo review poll.

Results from the previous poll:
410 votes
365 did not have any problems
24 people had minor problems
21 people had major problems and won't use it again.

Please add your personal experience with Remington and UMC branded 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 RussB's post out of a 16" barrel:
Velocity (55gr): 2857fps, StdDev=59fps

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.

Posted: 7/6/2006 4:55:24 AM EDT

[#1]

My agency bought 100K of UMC/Rem 55 grain FMJ for our Patrol Rifle program this year.
We ran over 50 folks through the schools with the issued Colt 16" Tactical A3 1/9" guns at a little over 800 rounds a piece. The SWAT guys used their short full auto guns in addition to the Patrol folks. I don't recall any malfunctions other than the ones we induced for demonstrating the clearing procedures. We still have a large quantity that is being consumed by the SWAT guys and the instructors (I'll do my share!!!). I found one round in the brass barrel that had a "hit primer" and had apparently not fired. We get UMC for most of our practice ammo needs including the 9mm to 45 ACP. I rarely find a bad round but must admit that over the years I have found a few (very few) that got by the quality control folks.
Mick

Posted: 7/6/2006 5:49:28 AM EDT

[#2]

I've only shot a few hundred rounds of it, but my PD, has used 10,000 rounds of it without problems. They are almost out and are taking bids. Don't know who they'll go with this time. With the City it's more about low bid than anything. No steel cased stuff is allowed.

Posted: 7/6/2006 5:58:34 AM EDT

[#3]

I have about 1k rounds of R-P (Rem/UMC) 55gr FMJ thru my ArmaLite M4C without a single problem.
It shoots well, better than I do.
I would not hesitate to get and shoot more.

Posted: 7/6/2006 6:18:09 AM EDT

[#4]

My brother in law and I have had a couple of blown primers over the years. I'll still use it, cuz the brass is perfect for reloading.

Posted: 7/15/2006 7:30:38 AM EDT

[#5]

Fired close to 350 rounds of the stuff (ball and JHP) through my Bushmaster DCM. Great price, no problems whatsoever. Even worked when it was a tad wet. First time on the range, it was drizzling. Will definitely buy the stuff again, provided I can find some.

Posted: 7/15/2006 12:06:53 PM EDT

[#6]

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World 200 round value packs $43.90 plus tax.

I've ran 1K rounds through my Bushmaster M4gery 14.5" 1/9

Nice ammo, not one problem. Not the hottest stuff around, but plenty accurate for training.

I'll continue to use the UMC 55g FMJ until prices drop or availability of XM193, Q3131A or WWB 55g FMJ Value Packs increases.

HS1

Posted: 7/15/2006 1:24:51 PM EDT

[#7]

I shoot a good amount of this stuff and have yet to have a problem. Seems to be good quality and accurate but a tad on the slow side. Fire it out of 7 different ARs and a mini 14.

-REAPER2502

Posted: 7/15/2006 1:36:59 PM EDT

[#8]

Works fine in my AR (20" A2 style). Reliable, clean, not smelly, decent accuracy and nice reloadable brass. Not a bad deal at everyday price of $3.97 for a box of 20 at Wal-Mart.

Posted: 7/15/2006 7:02:50 PM EDT

[#9]

Went through 200 rounds. No issues in my Colt LE AR. It is not the hottest loaded ammo, but I am sure someone will post the data.

BTW Bass pro had this cheaper then the WWB @ wally world.

Posted: 7/15/2006 8:07:36 PM EDT

[#10]

I have 100 rounds through my RRA Entry Tactical (16" bbl.) without any problems. Accuracy is comparable to American Eagle AE223 but not quite as good as WWB 55-grain FMJ's. Chronographed over a PACT Model 1, this load clocked as follows on an 82 degree day:

AV 2850 fps
HI 2914 fps
LO 2817 fps
SD 37.9

Posted: 7/15/2006 11:39:36 PM EDT

[#11]

200 rds. through my Bushy M4gery and not a single hickup.

Posted: 7/16/2006 12:51:27 AM EDT

[#12]

According to Bushmaster- This is what Jim told me when I had the other problems with my patrolmans carbine was that "remington UMC is actually 4% underloaded, and that's what caused my carrier key to foul".

Posted: 7/16/2006 1:24:52 AM EDT

[#13]

i've had 2 rounds out 1000 with bullet seated low or low and tilted. examine all rounds before loading.

Posted: 7/16/2006 1:34:57 AM EDT

[#14]

Here's my UMC "whoops" round I keep around for a reminder to inspect rounds before loading them into the magazine.

This is a split in the casing that runs from about 1/2 inch from below the base of the casing to where you can see it ending by the shoulder.

This split is not an open split because the cartridge was sized after the fact, it's folded over itself and I have little doubt that this sucker would chamber. Upon firing, I don't want to know what it would do.

I didn't vote in the poll because I'm of no opinion on with respects to preferences for UMC/RP ammo. Simple fact is, problems with ammunition can crop up in any of the manufacturers line.

If it popped at a really nice price, yeah I might buy it but then again I like milspec brass and don't have any worries about reaming primer crimps for loading. I would sooner use Remington UMC/RP loads than I would use Federal American Eagle with FC brass and non-crimped primers(have had nightmares with FC marked non crimped Federal).

Remington brass does run through a die pretty nicely, mostly because it's so damned soft. I'll pick it up and use it for 1 maybe 2 reloads at max.

Posted: 7/17/2006 10:44:52 AM EDT

[#15]

I've ran about 1k through my Stag AR and have not had any problems, one failed to feed but I think it was a mag problem. Pretty clean and the brass is really nice.

Posted: 8/5/2006 9:20:04 PM EDT

[#16]

I personally won't purchase this ammo anymore. Every single round I put through my Bushy M4gery resulted in a FTE and many of them jammed in there real good. I didn't put a lot through it, so my data is not very scientific, but it happened to me enough to turn me off from this particular ammo.

Posted: 8/11/2006 6:44:23 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Every single round I put through my Bushy M4gery resulted in a FTE and many of them jammed in there real good.

"Every single round..."? I think you have other issues.

Posted: 9/25/2006 12:34:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Bump to prevent archiving

Posted: 10/6/2006 5:38:42 PM EDT

[#19]

Is this the walmart UMC in the green box or the UMC in the yellow box? or are they both the same?

Posted: 10/7/2006 8:26:04 AM EDT

[#20]

Used 40 rounds of UMC to sight in my LMT carbine and it ran fine. Accuracy at 50 yards was stellar. I shot at 200 to confirm but cannot judge accuracy since I only had the irons and the short sight radius and too large small aperture of the carbine make it very difficult for me to aim. Will have to wait until the EOTech arrives then will evaulate at longer distances.

I have no doubt that with sights I can use (rifle length irons or optics) UMC will be very accurate for plinking/defensive ammo..

Posted: 10/12/2006 6:47:08 PM EDT

[#21]

I've shot the piss out of this stuff with no problems. Almost as accurate as XM193 but not quite.

Posted: 10/22/2006 9:51:58 PM EDT

[#22]

Voted minor problems but will continue to use it.

I had great luck with it (20-rd 55-gr MC/FMJ in Green/White box at Walmart) with decent grouping (about 2 MOA for 10-rd groups through a 20" chrome-lined DPMS) until today. One of the rounds didn't feed completely (thankfully) because the bullet was loose and pushed back into the case when it hit the feed ramp. The casing barely snagged the front of the mag and stuck, or it would have loaded on in. This was bullet 8 on a freshly loaded 30-rd mag that has worked fine in the past.

I popped the errant round out, stuck it in my pocket, and kept going. When I get rid of my last 150 rounds of this Rem UMC stuff, I'm only going to buy it in the future again if it gets REALLY cheap. Looking at the rest of my rounds, many of the bullets are set either really deeply in (no cannelure visible at all) or set too far out (all of the cannelure visible with a gap between it and the edge of the brass where it should be crimped). I am no reloader, so I had to look these terms up on the 'net to see what to call them. They just look like ridged rings around the bullets to me, and I can see all of it or none of it at all on many rounds. I'm pushing every one of these against a hard surface to see if the bullet is loose before I use any more of them from now on.

Posted: 12/4/2006 11:08:13 AM EDT

[#23]

Bump to prevent archiving

Posted: 12/23/2006 9:58:35 AM EDT

[#24]

Ran 100 rds or so through my K16 Oly, this was the 45g HP UMC. Shot great, no FTF or FTEs. Printed 3"or so 5 shot groups @ 200yds.

Posted: 12/23/2006 5:29:22 PM EDT

[#25]

No damage to my AR when this occurred but I'm finished with Remington ammunition.

Posted: 12/23/2006 8:52:53 PM EDT

[#26]

Over the years I have fired several hundred rounds of this ammo. I have found it to be as accurate as any 55 fmj ammo I have tried. While not as hot as Lake City or Win Q3131A it is clean and reliable ammo.

Posted: 1/21/2007 6:46:05 AM EDT

[#27]

I've found UMC .223 ammo to be reasonably priced at times, but it is not my first choice. I find it to be a half notch below the similar 55-gr American Eagle ammo as far as groups and QC. Both are .223 spec ammo and should not be confused with the hotter 5.56 mm MilSpec stuff, which I prefer. If you view the UMC as clean plinking ammo that will provide 4-to-5 inch groups at 100-yds and go bang most of the time, then you won't be disappointed. However, if you are going to pay top dollar for ammo, go for the Q3131A or L/C M-193. It might not look as pretty, since we're typically getting the rejects, but will give you a bigger pop and tighter groups for sure.

Posted: 1/31/2007 1:38:25 PM EDT

[#28]

Nothing special to report, fired 100 rounds through two different m4geries, no problems at all.

Posted: 3/24/2007 2:17:12 PM EDT

[#29]

I have shot about 300 Rds. through my RRA Entry Tactical (16" Barrel). Decent accuracy. Not any problems with this ammo. I am using the brass to handload 60 grain V-Max bullets for vermin this summer.

Posted: 3/24/2007 3:57:52 PM EDT

[#30]

FWIW, I had a dud in 200 rounds of 9mm UMC (green box) yesterday. Strong, clean hit to the primer. Put the round back in and dropped the hammer again just to see if it'd go bang...no bang. This is the first such dud I've had since I started using this stuff.

Posted: 3/24/2007 6:33:25 PM EDT

[#31]

100 rounds through my DEA model RRA (14.5"). No problems of any type.

Posted: 3/26/2007 3:32:53 PM EDT

[#32]

i ussually shoot this ammo, its pretty good once in a while i will find a bad round, i just bought a case from natches 276$ plus 20 shipping

Posted: 4/20/2007 10:12:21 PM EDT

[#33]

Shot about 200 rounds through my RRA 24" varmit. Weather was dry, no wind, and about 80 deg. Shot about 1.25" groups at 100 yards, but all rounds shot well with no problems. It seemed a little less accurate than Q3131 or some of the hotter rounds, but still shot well. It was clean and I will contine to stock up on more as time goes on.

With "match" ammo I can shoot under .5" groups with the same rifle for comparison. Good to plink with though!

Posted: 6/1/2007 11:14:09 AM EDT

[#34]

Bump to prevent archiving.

Posted: 6/14/2007 6:26:50 PM EDT

[#35]

I began using Remington UMC in my AR-15 and mini-14 when Federal Lake City ammo was unavailable along with Winchester Q3131. It is good ammo and I have about 800 rounds that I'll shoot before I dig into my Federal Lake City stuff.

I have fired 5-600 rounds wiht no issues.

Posted: 6/14/2007 6:46:24 PM EDT

[#36]

The majority of what i've fired from my AR-180B has been UMC and i've had little to no issues, its great stuff and when i can find it at a decent price i buy it.

For the record....
UMC 9mm is all i buy to feed my Beretta Vertec and of course its never hiccuped once in about 750 rounds fired.

Posted: 6/15/2007 7:11:06 AM EDT

[#37]

Great plinking ammo and reasonably priced too in these days and time (still $5.99 per box of 20 at Bass Pro or $6.44 per box at WW).

I've fired several hundred rounds through my RRA 14.5" with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Posted: 6/15/2007 9:41:35 AM EDT

[#38]

I have used this ammo without any problems.

Posted: 6/15/2007 9:49:09 AM EDT

[#39]

Great ammo for plinking. Pick up a few boxes every time I am at Wal-Mart (if they have it in stock).

I did find one round that got past QC that was in terrible shape. Dented, split case at the neck. Other than that, no problems whatsoever.

Oh, I shoot the ammo mostly out of 1/9 twist barrels (14.5", 16").

Posted: 6/15/2007 10:00:54 AM EDT

[#40]

my favorite ammo...walmart always has it and plenty of it (yeah i know $6.44 per box is ridiculous)

Posted: 6/15/2007 10:20:21 AM EDT

[#41]

I will not buy anymore rem ammo, its underpowered in MG's

Posted: 6/15/2007 1:54:40 PM EDT

[#42]

The only problems I've had was using some 45 gr. that I accidently bought. It was with the 55 gr. boxes...grr...now I check EVERY box. That being said, I have had zero problems with 55 gr. Remington UMC .223. That is the only round that's been through my Bushmaster, and only about 300 rounds so far, which I know is a very small amount. I bought 200 rounds today for 6.79/box at Bass Pro Shops. It's up in price there from 5.99/box.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:02:33 AM EDT

[#43]

Here are pictures of the bad one I found:

There was also a gash on the rim but I could not take a clear picture of it

Posted: 6/17/2007 10:47:26 AM EDT

[#44]

REM UMC 55GR MC (L223R3) functions 100% in my RRA NM A4 but shoots all over the place at 100 yards - My plinking ammo is American Eagle 55GR FMJBT (AE223). The AE beats the hell out of the REM UMC in the accuracy department. Will NOT buy the REM UMC ammo again for that reason.

EDIT: Shot 140 rounds at two different range sessions.

Posted: 6/17/2007 12:40:27 PM EDT

[#45]

Cycles fine but inaccurate in my rifle compared to AE or other discount ammo.

Mike

Posted: 6/19/2007 1:59:15 PM EDT

[#46]

Tried the Green boxed remington UMC in 55 gr FMJ. My Bushmaster doesn't like this stuff. I bought 100 rounds to try, and it ended up bending the cartridge case right near the cartridge is necked down.

When I saw that, I said that's it. It didn't seem too dirty or inaccurate, but if it won't feed, it doesn't do any good.

Posted: 7/9/2007 9:04:22 PM EDT

[#47]

ive never had any problems with UMC but i shoot tighter groups with wolf out of my LMT
go figure

Posted: 7/10/2007 7:26:56 AM EDT

[#48]

I gotta say the same thing as many above. 4" groups at 100 out of my colt 1:9, 2.5" groups from AE223. Black hills 55 grain averaged 1.3" on the same sizzling hot range trip.

The Rem is several bucks cheaper per box for me than AE, but if I want 4MOA accuracy I'll shoot Wolf. Since Rem is not magnetic I'll still shoot it indoors.

Posted: 8/12/2007 11:17:01 PM EDT

[#49]

Ammo runs good in my LMT 16". Ammo is good for general practice. Lately I've noticed a lot of dings and/or blimishes in the casings, but haven't noticed any functional problems. I wouldn't recommend using the brass for reloading because of the dings, but that's just me...

FlDiveCop71

Posted: 8/13/2007 6:01:21 AM EDT

[#50]

This weekend was the first time I ever had any ammo problems...
I went thru about 90 rounds at the Rio Salado rifle/shotgun tac match and I had 4 FTF.
They were all caused by the bullet telescoping back into the case - this happened in 4 different proven magazines while using the wifey's BM XM-15/M4A1.
This was all very recent vintage R-P .223 55 gr MC ammo, purchased at WallyWorld.

Now, my times usually are pretty slow....but having to dump mags a couple of times slowed me down even more.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ammunition review - Remington/UMC (Page 1 of 2)

AR-15 » Ammunition

AR Sponsor:

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us