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Posted: 9/11/2003 4:13:31 PM EDT
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Hello, Was going through my ammo stash and I have some questions. How is PMC 5.56mm Ball M193 compared to Federal XM 193 or Winchester Q3131A?   Is this ammo IMI? It is made by Israel Industries and then has Hansen Cartridge Company on the back of the box.  And last who made this ammo? Nothing else on on the box.  Are these good ammo? Thanks, Gavino |
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I have probably fired somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 rounds of the camo box PMC M193. In fact, I have about 500 rounds of it here now that I was given along with the SP1 I purchased last year. I have been using it as practice ammo. The best I remember, this stuff was pretty popular back in the late 1980's. That's when my dad bought an SP1 and I remember well (although I was only 11 or 12 at the time) using this very ammo. From what I remember we never had any problems with it and it seemed pretty hot. I can't remember the time period when PMC started using the red/white boxes for their .223 ammo, but I think it's safe to say your ammo was made in the 80's. As far as I know, it's good stuff. -Charging Handle |
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Quoted: Hello, Was going through my ammo stash and I have some questions. How is PMC 5.56mm Ball M193 compared to Federal XM 193 or Winchester Q3131A? I remember seeing the package back around '88-89, never shot any, can't offer any more there.. Is this ammo IMI? It is made by Israel Industries and then has Hansen Cartridge Company on the back of the box. What is the headstamp on the case? If it is indeed IMI, it will typically have "TZ", "TZZ", or "IMI" as part of the stamp. My guess is if it says "Hanson", the stamp will be "IK" and have a orange-red paint around the yellow primer. And last who made this ammo? Nothing else on on the box. Again, what is the headstamp? I do not recognize the box shown. |
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It's my understanding that the older PMC actually pretty much met M193 standards. Only during/after 1998 was it downloaded to it's present velocities. This stuff in the camo boxes was made in the late 80's. Troy, Brou, Tat, Forest.....is this correct or is all PMC underloaded by M193 standards? -Charging Handle |
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First pic is (obviously) pre-98 PMC, which was loaded to M193-specs (nice and hot, just like current XM193). It was mainly known for the huge flash signature, just like XM193. If it was stored well, it is excellent ammo. Second pic is older IMI, back before IMI had direct importers. They made ammo for Hansen under contract, much like they are making M193 for Winchester now under the Q3131A name. Again, if it was stored well, it's great ammo. Third pic is Chinese Norinco ammo. This stuff is a little under M193 specs, and while the primer isn't corrosive, the powder seems to be a little corrosive, and so you need to clean your gun well after firing this stuff (anywhere the gas goes needs to be cleaned with warm water, then as normally). Since this ammo isn't available anymore, I can't make any ballistic judgements about bullet fragmentation or anything. If you were looking for ammo to save vs ammo to shoot up, I'd put this in the "shoot it up" category. -Troy |
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Thanks for answers. All the ammo was bought in the mid 90's. Have several boxes of the PMC and a few of the IMI stuff, only 1 box of the Norinco shot most of that when I got it. All the ammo are in ammo cans and sitting in my closet. Did an inventory yesterday and came across these. Once again thanks for the answers. Later, Gavino |
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