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Posted: 2/28/2012 5:44:36 AM EDT
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Hi all. I'm new to AR's and almost have my first one put together. So now I need ammo. I've read a little bit on it, and it sounds like my best choices for range/practice ammo would be Lake City M855 or Federal XM193. Good reliable ammo at reasonable pricing. Am I right on this? And are there others I should watch for? Either here on AR15 EE or at the gun shows. I'll probably go with something in the 62g to 75g weight. But are the heavier bullets harder on the gun?
Also, what should I keep loaded for personal defense use? Would that same ammo do well for defense, or do I need something else? I was thinking I need to load one or two mags with Hornaday TAP or similiar. |
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Well,
I personally believe there are better options than Federal for plinking. Check out PMC XTAC in both M193 and M855, I prefer it to federal, and believe it is a little cheaper, if not the same cost. The Best is IMI M193 and M855 from Wideners, but the sold out of M193, and the prices went up on their M855. But, keep you ear to the ground and grab some if they ever get the M193 (it was $345 shipped for 1200 rounds) Another good ammo i just discovered in the Hornady Steel Match 55gr HPBT. @ $15.88 per 50 rounds it is legit match grade ammo, and a lot more cost effective than normal hornady match. For PD, Hornady TAP FPD 75gr. |
| honestly for range plinking i have been shooting wolf steel cases stuff. bought a 1000 rounds online a few months ago for right around 200. I have probably shot 300 rounds of it. I have had zero issues with it. Dirties the gun up alil more, and maybe alil less accurate but for the price tag, its well worth it IMO. |
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honestly for range plinking i have been shooting wolf steel cases stuff
+1 Why would you spend that kind of cash on ammo when steel is a cheaper alternative? I shoot wolf most of the time with zero issues. In fact, my Del-Ton has yet to have a malfunction and I'm about 2500 rounds broken in. I would suggest a good cleaning of the chamber after shooting steel, it doesn't seal off in the chamber like brass and it can get a bit sticky in there especially if you move to brass immediately after. As far as the best steel out there, seems like the Silver Bear is some of the best, Wolf is just fine and Tula is probably a bit underpowered. All I know is a case of 1000 rounds is $189 at aimsurplus.com so load up and enjoy. I would add that if you are concerned steel could be rough on the extractor, spend $12 for an extra and give yourself piece of mind. :) |
| So many people seem to shy away from steel case. I'm surprised to see you guys recc. it. Is the only reason not to use it that it's tough on the extractor? Seems you'd want to set up a schedule for changing to a new extractor if you decide to go with steel case. Which would make $$$ sense. But are there other reasons to avoid steel case? |
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You have to remember that your extractor is made of HARDENED STEEL. The steel they make the cases out of is malliable steel, which is almost as soft as brass. There is no possible way for a steel case to do any signifigant damage to the extractor over brass cases.
I shoot wolf in my Stag, and no issues with feeding, ejecting, etc. It is as accurate as I need it to be( if you want match grade ammo, then buy match grade) and holds 1in groups at 50 yards through a red dot. It is a bit dirty, specifically at the back of the bolt. If you don't clean your firearms, then you might have a problem. But if you dont clean your firearms, you are asking for problems anyway. I don't see any difference in bore residue over any other ammo. The coating on the case is polymer, so it won't gum up your chamber at all. As a matter of fact, my chamber is always clean and shiny after shooting. One important thing to know. This is Bi-metal ammo. This means it has a lead core, thin steel jacket, and a thin copper jacket. While adding to the cost savings on this ammo, it will stop you from being able to shoot steel targets at ranges. They will get plenty pissed if you punch holes in their steel. I shot a 3/8 in thick steel plate with it at 30 yards, and it put a nice 1/16 in deep hole in it. This was a swinging target, so that helped dissapate some of the energy, but still did the damage. Bottom line, buy it, shoot it, clean your weapon, and you wont have any issues. |
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