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4/1/2026 8:22:48 PM EDT
[#1]
Black Talon is the only option.

Anything less, it's your funeral, Bud.

Fantrax ARFCOM PICKERS Champion 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
4/1/2026 9:16:05 PM EDT
[#2]
Mostly any major brand that's on sale.  I also look for S&B 125 gr if available.  We did some fairly extensive testing of S&B 5.56 both M193 and SS109.  That ammo was very consistent and one of the most accurate on the range, rivaling some brands of match grade ammo from other manufacturers.  We had 5 shot groups under 1 MOA with a known accurate HBAR, out to 300 yards.  Even my 16" pencil barrel went under 2 MOA.  

I have not evaluated any of their pistol ammo.  Looks like I have another project..
Another old guy
4/1/2026 9:26:37 PM EDT
[#3]
Magtech

Not because its somehow better than others.

But because the boxes are smaller and I can store double the amount of rounds versus a traditional box.

10k rounds in my ammo locker vs 5k. Etc.
4/1/2026 9:35:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 55sixer:
Blazer Brass, as it seems to be a reasonable ratio of  quality/cost
View Quote


Same; usually grab a couple boxes at PSA when I'm passing through.
4/5/2026 10:51:18 AM EDT
[#5]

either Blazer Brass, Federal or Winchester 'range FMJ'.  

i will also typically shoot one box of JHP SD ammo per session for confirmation of no issues with mags / feeding...

4/5/2026 1:03:49 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Originally Posted By DetroitDuramax:
Man you guys that say "whatever is cheap" don't really do cheap. I go cheapest with Magtech steel case or Monarch steel case both the same product currently. Both have been very accurate out of my AP5, Ar9. We rent out a M&P 9 gen 1 for our CPL classes I bet we have put a couple thousand rounds of magtech steel case through it with very little cleaning and it never jams or fails to extract. They have finally released the 124gr I just got my first 1000rd case shipped to my door $200.  I do have some monarch brass 9mm which is TRN marked it isn't bad but the magtech steel feels hotter to me.
View Quote


This. Currently Brown Bear. Plus I don’t feel compelled to pick up the “brass”.
4/5/2026 1:36:35 PM EDT
[#7]
In the old days any of the big three’s promo ammo…….UMC, USA or American Eagle.

These days I look for Speer Lawman or Blazer brass but have tried samples of Magtech, S&B and GECO.  GECO I haven’t seen in a few years.

I avoid anything from Winchester because I lost faith in them that they do any worthwhile QC outside of the duty ammo.

Speer, CCI or Federal.
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
4/6/2026 8:13:13 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ButchA61:
The common Blazer Brass (if I can find it!).
Bass Pro -- sold out.
Cabela's -- sold out.
Academy -- sold out.
W-T-F
View Quote

A couple YouTubers have been stoking the flames of another ammo shortage based on the conflict in Iran and associated supply chain shortages. I’m not saying they’re wrong, but it always seems to be a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I went to Academy four weeks ago, and they had stacks of 115 gr and 124 gr Blazer Brass on sale, plus some Monarch and other stuff. I went back again two Fridays ago, a couple days after the YT ammo shortage videos posted. Academy still had stacks of 115 gr (probably at least 200 boxes, maybe more), plus some 200 round boxes of Federal Champion 115 gr, UMC 115 gr, and a couple others. A friend went by on Sunday (two days later) and said the 9mm was all cleaned out. The gun counter guy told me they were due for a shipment that Monday, which comes about every two weeks, so maybe that’s the normal cycle for their inventory, with lots of shoppers on weekends, but I was wondering if it was related to a brewing panic.
4/6/2026 8:20:37 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By criley:
As long as it’s not Freedom Munitions I haven’t had problems with any 9mm.
View Quote

That stuff is good for clearing drills.
4/6/2026 4:41:08 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Originally Posted By GrumpyinStL:

That stuff is good for clearing drills.
View Quote
I only had problems with their reman. I shot tens of thousands of rounds of their new ammo and had no issues. Eventually, they were no longer cheaper than the big names so I stopped buying their ammo. I liked that I could send in my empty brass for credit.
Make sure you tell guys that the 1911 is a pain in the ass - Larry Vickers
4/8/2026 9:29:13 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Bradd_D:
I only had problems with their reman. I shot tens of thousands of rounds of their new ammo and had no issues. Eventually, they were no longer cheaper than the big names so I stopped buying their ammo. I liked that I could send in my empty brass for credit.
View Quote


We had similar experiences. And really, I didn't have many problems with the reman either.

Now it's rarely cheaper than alternatives so I don't shoot it, but most recently I shot 1,000 of their steel cased 147 grain 9mm with no problems.
6/12/2026 11:46:40 AM EDT
[#12]
Any experience with the Sprtsman Select reman 124gr stuff? I just ordered a case of it at 20c a round. The reviews I found are 90% positive with the negatives being light primer strikes
6/12/2026 12:16:21 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Chris_1522:
Well the vast, vast majority of the 9mm I shoot is the brand I make on my press in the basement.

However, I do occasionally buy factory 9mm as well, especially when I haven't had time to load much.

When I do buy factory 9mm, recently it's been the Monarch branded steel-cased 115gr FMJ from Academy. $10 a box.

It's actually Magtech ammo, so if you don't have an Academy nearby you may find it sold under that brand.

It shoots fine in all my my 9mm pistols.
View Quote

This. I've stacking Magtech for awhile but started buying a case or two of the Monarch every month for the past several months. It's not awfully dirty and shoots fine on every 9mm I have.
6/18/2026 10:18:51 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Originally Posted By LoneMouser:
Speer Lawman TMJ 115gr.

No issues, great accuracy including at distance (100m).  Ammoseek.com by the case makes the pricing bearable.
View Quote



Also a fan of Speer Lawman, but I prefer the 147 gr for suppressors...
6/30/2026 10:34:06 PM EDT
[#15]
Just bought a case of Monarch Brass for $220 after tax at academy.  I started shooting cheapest factory stuff when primers were $0.10 each.

I buy when its cheap.
7/21/2026 5:44:39 PM EDT
[#16]
Winchester 124gr 9mm NATO.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly.
- Theodore Roosevelt
7/21/2026 6:16:45 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Originally Posted By criley:
As long as it’s not Freedom Munitions I haven’t had problems with any 9mm.
View Quote


This. Buy what’s on sale!
Game on!
7/21/2026 7:12:07 PM EDT
[#18]
A lot of Fenix right now.
7/21/2026 7:28:37 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Originally Posted By HD2006:
I tend to go with whatever’s cheapest. Typically Blazer Brass or Fiocchi.
View Quote

Same. And I’ve never had issues despite thousands of rounds set down range. Academy’s Monarch in either steel or brass also never fails to go bang.
“That’s not how it works. You buy more tools and power than you need and as you fuck everything up you gain the knowledge to become a better carpenter.”

Tveddy
7/21/2026 8:55:50 PM EDT
[#20]
WWB, Speer, Magtech, if I'm buying. But, 99% of the time, I use my hand loads. Hand loads are more accurate, more consistent, and more reliable, as well as being about a third of the price.
7/22/2026 10:37:24 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote History
Originally Posted By scuba_steve:
A lot of Fenix right now.
View Quote

New email from them today.  


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