wasting money on 5.56 green tip ammo

[RDN]

After shooting various types of .223/5.56 ammo at various steel plates. And watching dozens of YouTube videos of guys shooting M193 and M855 at all kinds of steel. I realized I've been wasting money buying green tip 5.56 ammo.

online prices:
.223 @.29/rd
5.56 55gr @ ~.32/rd and
62gr green tip @ .35/rd

For self defense and shooting through 1/4 - 1/2in steel .223 or 55gr 5.56mm works fine.
plus .223 and M193 are more accurate

 

[Podmonkey]

I have come to the same conclusion as well. The M193 is supposed to have more consistent terminal performance within its frag range as well. The M855 created more problems than it solved and it solved little to begin with. Looks like its updated replacement is turning into a fiasco as well.

 

[Marine Cpl]

The M855 was supposed to be for the SAW Machine Gun only for barrier penetration but they decided to use it for rifles too to standardize ammo. There are much better choices of ammo out there. Any hollow point against a 2 legger would do miles over what a green tip can do. Hell even over what an M193 can do.

The fragmentation range limits for the M193 out of a 14.5 inch barrel is about 100m while the M855 is at about half that. Hollow points however will open up at greater distances. The 5.56mm TSX will still open up at over 300 yards for example.

 

[Podmonkey]

The M855 was supposed to be for the SAW Machine Gun only for barrier penetration but they decided to use it for rifles too to standardize ammo. There are much better choices of ammo out there. Any hollow point against a 2 legger would do miles over what a green tip can do. Hell even over what an M193 can do.

The fragmentation range limits for the M193 out of a 14.5 inch barrel is about 100m while the M855 are at about half that. Hollow points however will open up at greater distances. The 5.56mm TSX will still open up at over 300 yards.

I've been buying moderate amounts of the Speer Gold Dot 64gr, mainly due to the excellent price Palmetto State Armory has on them at .50 a round. I'm still stocking IMI 77gr OTMs as my main ammo type. I use M193 for plinking.

 

[SigSweet]

Green tips never group well for me out of my BCM 14.5'' barrel so i havent purchased anymore since i dont plan on shooting at helmets anytime soon.

The 77gr IMI Podmonkey mentioned I love, just too expensive compared to handloading 75gr hornady BTHPs

 

[S&W Fan]

Good info. To know, thanks.I'm just getting into doing some research now on what will shoot best in .223 & 5.56 since I just purchased my first AR 15. I hate wasting money on trial and error.

 

[SigSweet]

Good info. To know, thanks.I'm just getting into doing some research now on what will shoot best in .223 & 5.56 since I just purchased my first AR 15. I hate wasting money on trial and error.

I still recommend trying different rounds from different manufacturers along with different bullet weights. Everything shoots different so I believe a little trial and error is unfortunately still needed

 

[Podmonkey]

Green tips never group well for me out of my BCM 14.5'' barrel so i havent purchased anymore since i dont plan on shooting at helmets anytime soon.

The 77gr IMI Podmonkey mentioned I love, just too expensive compared to handloading 75gr hornady BTHPs

M855 was never a very accurate round. As for the IMI stuff, no it aint cheap but it has been slowly creeping down in price. Right now I can get it for .67 a round if I buy it by the 500 round case. I think that is fairly reasonable for a high performance near match round, and its crimped and sealed as well. So far I've built up 1k. I'll get it to 2k and then just stack away M193 stuff for fun and training and the occasional Gold Dot purchase for as long as PSA offers it at the above price and free shipping.

 

[Podmonkey]

Good info. To know, thanks.I'm just getting into doing some research now on what will shoot best in .223 & 5.56 since I just purchased my first AR 15. I hate wasting money on trial and error.

Well that's going to vary by the gun, buy a variety and see what your particular rifle likes best. What twist rate do you have?

 

[SigSweet]

M855 was never a very accurate round. As for the IMI stuff, no it aint cheap but it has been slowly creeping down in price. Right now I can get it for .67 a round if I buy it by the 500 round case. I think that is fairly reasonable for a high performance near match round, and its crimped and sealed as well. So far I've built up 1k. I'll get it to 2k and then just stack away M193 stuff for fun and training and the occasional Gold Dot purchase for as long as PSA offers it at the above price and free shipping.

Has PSA been shipping ammo to your door in NY or have you been sending to an FFL?

 

[Podmonkey]

Has PSA been shipping ammo to your door in NY or have you been sending to an FFL?

I am in PA so to my door. I know a few NY folk have been turned down by PSA unfortunately which is total BS!

 

[S&W Fan]

I still recommend trying different rounds from different manufacturers along with different bullet weights. Everything shoots different so I believe a little trial and error is unfortunately still needed

True enough, and that I will definitely do. I was thinking to just jump in and buy a ton of cheap bulk ammo. Now, I'll back off a little until I find what works best in this rifle before doing so. Plinking needs to be just as fun as precision shooting. I plan on reloading once I've accumulated enough brass anyways.
Thanks for some starting point info.

 

[Podmonkey]

True enough, and that I will definitely do. I was thinking to just jump in and buy a ton of cheap bulk ammo. Now, I'll back off a little until I find what works best in this rifle before doing so. Plinking needs to be just as fun as precision shooting. I plan on reloading once I've accumulated enough brass anyways.
Thanks for some starting point info.

I think you are onto the right track with M193 though. It'll do most things you will need of an AR at a moderate price, just not at long range. I think in a pinch it is a suitable self defense/shtf round.

 

[S&W Fan]

Well that's going to vary by the gun, buy a variety and see what your particular rifle likes best. What twist rate do you have?

It's just an entry level rifle for now. 16" barrel @ 1:8" RH twist.
If I like this platform after messing with this rifle for awhile I'll probably give it to my son and build one of my own.
That's down the road for now though.

 

[Podmonkey]

It's just an entry level rifle for now. 16" barrel @ 1:8" RH twist.
If I like this platform after messing with this rifle for awhile I'll probably give it to my son and build one of my own.
That's down the road for now though.

I think 1:8 is the best twist, it'll let you mess around with just about everything but the super heavy match stuff. Should be fine for 77gr on down.

 

[SigSweet]

True enough, and that I will definitely do. I was thinking to just jump in and buy a ton of cheap bulk ammo. Now, I'll back off a little until I find what works best in this rifle before doing so. Plinking needs to be just as fun as precision shooting. I plan on reloading once I've accumulated enough brass anyways.
Thanks for some starting point info.

Thats a great plan, I highly recommend wolf gold for plinking, they are cheap (.30 round), moderately warm, brass cased, and shoot consistently in anything i have ran it through.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have found that the 52 grain Sierra HP bullet works well over 24.6 grains of BL C(2) and a CCI primer in a LC case in all of my rifles. It is zippy and accurate. Some of my smallest groups shot to date were done with that combination out of a 1-8 twist heavy barreled SCR on a bipod.

Another thing to consider when selecting ammo to shoot. There are a lot of ranges that restrict shooting ammo that attracts a magnet. I know for the steel rifle shoot my club has coming up in July we will not be allowing the shooting of any ammo that will stick to a magnet. AR 500 steel is expensive and I don't want to buy any more so people can shoot at them with ammo that will destroy them (yes they are my personal targets not the club's).

 

[Podmonkey]

I have found that the 52 grain Sierra HP bullet works well over 24.6 grains of BL C(2) and a CCI primer in a LC case in all of my rifles. It is zippy and accurate. Some of my smallest groups shot to date were done with that combination out of a 1-8 twist heavy barreled SCR on a bipod.

Another thing to consider when selecting ammo to shoot. There are a lot of ranges that restrict shooting ammo that attracts a magnet. I know for the steel rifle shoot my club has coming up in July we will not be allowing the shooting of any ammo that will stick to a magnet. AR 500 steel is expensive and I don't want to buy any more so people can shoot at them with ammo that will destroy them (yes they are my personal targets not the club's).

One should always abide by the rules of the range but the M855 being harder on AR500 steel is a myth and one that has been busted. M193, owing to its higher velocity, will actually do more damage steel.

 

[S&W Fan]

I have found that the 52 grain Sierra HP bullet works well over 24.6 grains of BL C(2) and a CCI primer in a LC case in all of my rifles. It is zippy and accurate. Some of my smallest groups shot to date were done with that combination out of a 1-8 twist heavy barreled SCR on a bipod.

Thanks for the recipe. I'll keep it for future use to try out.

 

[dsdmmat]

One should always abide by the rules of the range but the M855 being harder on AR500 steel is a myth and one that has been busted. M193, owing to its higher velocity, will actually do more damage steel.

The attracting a magnet rule is to keep people from shooting AP ammo (I.E. 30-06 AP and Norinco steel core 7.62x39 that was imported in the 90s). I agree impact speeds of the 55 Grain bullets do more damage the m855 round. The target makers recommend less than 3000 FPS impact speeds. The attract a magnet is the easiest one to enforce and is designed to prevent the use AP ammo on steel targets.

 

[tirwin1]

I've been buying moderate amounts of the Speer Gold Dot 64gr, mainly due to the excellent price Palmetto State Armory has on them at .50 a round. I'm still stocking IMI 77gr OTMs as my main ammo type. I use M193 for plinking.

FYI I just saw this sale price for M193 rounds.
PMC X-Tac 5.56x45mm NATO PMC556X XP193 55gr FMJ BT CASE 1000rds

 

[Podmonkey]

FYI I just saw this sale price for M193 rounds.
PMC X-Tac 5.56x45mm NATO PMC556X XP193 55gr FMJ BT CASE 1000rds

Meh, my usaul place, SG Ammo, sells it a couple bucks cheaper. They almost always have the best price on most any ammo other than rimfire. Very wide selection too.

 

[RDN]

In the, hopefully near,future I plan on getting a Savage Axis bolt-action in .223. Since my other "evil black rifles" are banned, I can't take them to any ranges on LI - Suffolk Co.
I can't use the M193 or M855 w/ the Axis. I do have a good supply of .223. It's been 4yrs since I've been to Calverton shooting range. Still recovering from unSAFE act.

 

[RDN]

Good info. To know, thanks.I'm just getting into doing some research now on what will shoot best in .223 & 5.56 since I just purchased my first AR 15. I hate wasting money on trial and error.

Congrats on you AR purchased. Be warned. Resist the urge to add a bunch of accessories and modification too quickly - it adds up $$.

 

[S&W Fan]

Congrats on you AR purchased. Be warned. Resist the urge to add a bunch of accessories and modification too quickly - it adds up $$.

Ha, Don't you know it. I'm already doing some small modifications just to personalize the rifle a little bit and ...DAMN ! It does add up quick. I'm not going to get crazy with mods but shit, even the small stuff is not cheap. However, I've never been known to sacrifice quality so I Always search high and low for the best quality that I can find for what I can afford to spend.

 

[Podmonkey]

Eh, once you get the first one all sorted you'll just wanna start all over again with a new one.

 

[S&W Fan]

Eh, once you get the first one all sorted you'll just wanna start all over again with a new one.

I'm already thinking of building a 308. I figured that would be down the road some. Now, I' m not so sure I want to wait that long.

 

[Podmonkey]

The attracting a magnet rule is to keep people from shooting AP ammo (I.E. 30-06 AP and Norinco steel core 7.62x39 that was imported in the 90s). I agree impact speeds of the 55 Grain bullets do more damage the m855 round. The target makers recommend less than 3000 FPS impact speeds. The attract a magnet is the easiest one to enforce and is designed to prevent the use AP ammo on steel targets.

I get it and rules are rules, but that also eliminates affordable M855 and Wolf stuff, which is handy to have for a high volume match or class.

 

[dsdmmat]

I get it and rules are rules, but that also eliminates affordable M855 and Wolf stuff, which is handy to have for a high volume match or class.

matches are expensive.

 

[Podmonkey]

matches are expensive.

Yeth. And how come you get the special "Donut Master" title?
<kicks the ground while mumbling to self> I wanna special title too...