I am looking to buy a stock of close quarters ammo for my M4 Carbine (Bushmaster 14.5-inch barrel with 1:7 5.56 chamber) but I also have a 11.5-inch 1:7 twist Bushmaster barreled upper as well.

I know that the military and security groups have been moving to heavier bullets for this use (77-gr and heavier) but I am not clear who manufactures ammo in this category and what ammo has the better reputation (accuracy and terminal performance).  I know ammo-oracle seems to suggest that the 77 grain Nosler NATO loading from Black Hills is a top contender for terminal performance but I am not sure how available this ammo is.

I normally use 55gr Federal Surplus (M193) and it is accurate enough for target and plinking out of any of my uppers but it is time for me to get a stock of more serious ammo...  I have considered buying a case of M855 but I know that the 62-gr bullet is not going to perform ver well out of the 11.5-inch upper even though I am confident it would work fine out of the 14.5 at short range but I am looking to get a little more out of this ammo.

Thanks for oppinions and advise!  If someone has a reload they can suggest I am all ears as I have lots of empty brass at home and the reloading setup so I can always buy some 77-gr bullets and roll my own...

EDIT:  I found a recipe...

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=256882

Quoted: When I buy from Cabelas, I pay $0.56/round. Expensive, but really good ammo. When I roll-my-own, I pay $0.35/round (all new components). Mk262 Recipe: -Sierra 77 gr. MK -Winchester .223 REM brass -Remington 7 1/2 primer -24-grains Ramshot TAC

Here is a source:  Cabelas

I thought you had a shotty with #4 shot.

I don't reload so I can't give you any info on that.


I use Hornady 5.56mm 75 TAP out of my 10.3 LMT, 11.5 and 14.5 Colt uppers.


I have not shot anyone with it, and I hope I never do. So as far as my experience with the effects of it......  The accuracy is outstanding!

I have done a lot of listening and reading and this is what I have chosen.

I am sure for up close the .223 loading of the same ammo would do you very well.

HTH.


ETA: Don't discount M-193 as CQB ammo. It works very well!

M855 = Run away.

Quoted: I thought you had a shotty with #4 shot.

Yea, in my home I keep a shotgun outside of the safe...  My logic is that if someone was to do a smash and grab I would rather they get away with a $100 Rem 870 shotgun then my M4 Carbine...

(Bushmaster M4A3, 14:5 1:7, KAC FF RAS, EoTech, Surefire, and all the other extras... say $1500 min and that is if I don't have the rLightning link installed)

If SHTF, and I needed a go-to gun it would be the M4A3 as it only takes a few seconds to open the safe...  This ammo is for more then a BUMP in the night senaro as I will still rely on the 12-gauge and the Glock for the bedside.  Well, unless somehow I knew to expect trouble and then it might be the UZI sitting on the nightstand!

WOLF Steel Case!

My LMT 14.5 w/551 SHTF ammo is the Blue Box Cheap Black Hills 75gr.OTM/BTHP/MATCH H.P. etc?

That FOREST told me about !!

love the cannaclure/crimp on the bullet

I used a HAMMER until my arm fell off and still wouldnt come out?
I used Vise grips and tore it off at the crimp/cann  BH 75 is there to stay PERIOD!

Also I got some BH Blue box 77SMK wich shoots very good

Reply to FMJ

Pulling bullets with hammer or collet is easier if you first seat the bullet deeper with a bullet seating die.  This breaks any seal from bullet sealants in old 30.06 ammo and makes the bullets much easier to remove in my experience.  I should help with crimped bullets too.  I seat 20-30 thousandths deeper or just to where I can feel it move.

Any chance we can add at what distance fragmentation no longer happens with that ammo?

John

I finally managed to find some heavy weight Blue Box rounds in the form of the 77-gr BTHP Match load.  I will have to take it to the range and see how it shoots.  I did a quick search and I believe the following page is in relation to this load:

http://www.btammolabs.com/tests/6.htm

I only managed to get two of the 50-rd boxes as that was all Cabellas had when I was at the store but 100-rds will allow me to try it ut in my 11.5 and 14.5 upper and hopefully keep a little in reserve until I can get more of it assuming I like it...

www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=srchdx&id=0006767213952a&navCount=3&podId=0006767&parentId=cat20839&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20839&hasJS=true