Went to Wal-mart to get some ammo and can't seem to find any of the old reliable Q3131A Winchester USA anymore.  Bought some with the product number USA223R1VP.  Their web page lists the muzzle vel. at 3240fps.  Anyone use this ammo?  Is it mil spec like the old Q3131 and Q3131A?  Figured some of you ammo gurus would know.

If the velocity is actually 3250 and up, from a 20" AR, then I suppose it is MOSTLY M193 spec.

Of course, things like sealant and primer crimp would not be M193 spec.

I highly doubt that Winchester uses flash retardant in their .223 ammo.

For my concerns, velocity and bullet construction is key.  If the velocity from my 20" AR is M193 spec, and the 55 gr. bullets fragment like M193 spec bullets, then I don't really care for retardant, primer crimp and sealant.

I imagine the .223 cartridges from Winchester use the same bullets that the Q3131A line uses.  For reloaders, not having to remove a M193 crimp is a bonus.

The Q3131A should still be readily available.  I've got a couple of cases in stock and a great deal still at my distributors.  Where are you looking, I might be able to help you track some down.

I am looking in the Charlotte NC area.

I just did a search of authorized Winchester retailers in your area and found this company:

MID-STATE MARINE, INC
1230 SOUTH MAIN
KANNAPOLIS, NC 28081
Phone: (704) 932-0746
Fax: (704) 932-2232
Contact: RON MILLER

Winchester shows this dealer being about 16 miles from you.  The only place Winchester shows right in Charlotte as being a retailer is Wal-Mart...and good god do you guys have a bunch of those there!

If you don't find anything there, you may want to try ordering on line at www.ammoman.com.  I sell the ammo for the same price, but you'd get it faster through ammoman since he's closer to you.

Thanks for the help.  Thats why these boards are so kick butt.

Quoted: Went to Wal-mart to get some ammo and can't seem to find any of the old reliable Q3131A Winchester USA anymore.  Bought some with the product number USA223R1VP.  Their web page lists the muzzle vel. at 3240fps.  Anyone use this ammo?  Is it mil spec like the old Q3131 and Q3131A?  Figured some of you ammo gurus would know.

If I'm not mistaken, the manufacturers measure velocity from a 24" barrel. There would be a significant velocity loss in a 20" barrel.

WackyG,
I too live in the Charlotte area, I have gotten Q3131 at Haytt's Gun Shop on Wilkinson Blvd. They sometimes have other surplus, looked like South African.