Best .223/556 for general purpose

sbaker10 · January 2, 2014, 10:36 PM

What is the best ammo to hoard for generic shtf, target shooting, self defense etc? The options in my price range are Tula .223 I could afford more but it won't fragment, may wear the barrel faster and may not be as reliable, m855 is another option, I like the steel penetrator as I like shooting old air tanks and the like. It does appear to yaw ans fragment, its also probabaly going to still be reliable even years later. Palmetto is also, running a good deal on fiochi shooting dynamics, it's 55gr .223 at 18$ for 50, however I dunno if it would fragment

trg42wraglefragle · January 2, 2014, 10:58 PM

I don't know what price you pay for Hornady training ammo.
But I've used both the brass and steel cased ammo and it's crazy accurate, and cheaper than anything but Russian steel case.

Being soft point makes them a no brainer for me.

Justice06RR · January 3, 2014, 01:42 AM

Overall I think the standard M193 ball ammo would serve as the best type to stockpile.

If your rifle can reliably shoot steel-cased ammo like Tula, then go for that. It might not be as accurate, so you will have to test the ammo in your gun to see what accuracy you will get from it.

The Fiocchi 55gr at PSA is also a great deal for $18/50rds.

Remember that fragmentation is affected by a few factors: bullet velocity and bullet type.

My recommendation is to stock up mostly on brass-cased ball ammo like M193, then throw in a few hundred rounds of M855 and Tula if possible (depending on your budget.

BillyJack3 · January 3, 2014, 10:26 AM

PSA has 20 round boxes of American Eagle 55 gr for $7.69 a box. Best I've seen in a LONG time...

J270 · January 5, 2014, 10:32 AM

What does all those numbers mean. Are they military specs.

Xm 195, m855 ???

CTS · January 5, 2014, 10:45 AM

If you want the best for self/home defense then I would look at the federal fusion MSR 62 gr. They use a 62gr bonded solid base that should be just as lethal on humans as it is on deer. It is not by any means a cheap plinking round though at about $20 per box.

Marquezj16 · January 5, 2014, 10:55 AM

Before you stock pile ammo, make sure to shoot a whole bunch through your rifle. Check function and accuracy. So buy a few different types.

I like the Federal from Lake City in their M855 offering. All my rifles in 5.56 shoot acceptable groups and zero malfunction. Plus the brass for them are awesome for reloading.

Hapax Legomena · January 5, 2014, 11:06 AM

M193 / M855 -- yes, military specifications.

M193 = 55 grain
M855 = 62 grain

jersurf101 · January 5, 2014, 11:13 AM

My 16 inch carbine loves PMC bronze 55 gr. I have always found it to be reasonably priced as well.

Jo6pak · January 5, 2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marquezj16

Before you stock pile ammo, make sure to shoot a whole bunch through your rifle. Check function and accuracy. So buy a few different types.

^^This is the answer you are looking for. Even if someone has the exact make and model rifle as you, try as many ammo types as you can for yourself.

For stockpiling....The #1 concern is reliability, then accuracy and price.
Determine what you need in accuracy and then find the cheapest ammo that meets those expectations.

chris in va · January 6, 2014, 03:52 PM

By the time you spend hundreds on factory ammo, you could get an inexpensive Hand Press and make 1000 rounds of your own ammo. Just saying.

MikeNice81 · January 9, 2014, 08:16 AM

The Hornady TAP 75gr loaded with Sierra MatchKing is pretty much the new rage for personal defense. However, Independence M193 is hard to beat for price and quality. $200 for 500 and it is built by IMI. IMI manufactures some of Winchester's civilian and LE 55gr 5.56.

You can get Lake City for about $190 for 420 rounds. Lake City does production for the US army. So, their stuff is good to go. SG Ammo has it already in the can, on the stripper clip, for a good price.

If you want the same stuff that works for LE and soldiers go Lake City or IMI.

XM855 is NATO spec 62gr 5.56
M193 is Nato Spec 55gr 5.56
Mk 262 is 77gr 5.56 with Sierra OTM MatchKing ammo or Nosler Boat Tail HP

Art Eatman · January 9, 2014, 01:01 PM

I'll stay with whichever 55-grain soft point is accurate in my rifle.

January 5, 2014, 10:45 AM	#6
CTS Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: NE Georgia Posts: 1,070	If you want the best for self/home defense then I would look at the federal fusion MSR 62 gr. They use a 62gr bonded solid base that should be just as lethal on humans as it is on deer. It is not by any means a cheap plinking round though at about $20 per box. __________________ 01 FFL, NRA, NAGR, GOA.

January 9, 2014, 08:16 AM	#12
MikeNice81 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2010 Posts: 579	The Hornady TAP 75gr loaded with Sierra MatchKing is pretty much the new rage for personal defense. However, Independence M193 is hard to beat for price and quality. $200 for 500 and it is built by IMI. IMI manufactures some of Winchester's civilian and LE 55gr 5.56. You can get Lake City for about $190 for 420 rounds. Lake City does production for the US army. So, their stuff is good to go. SG Ammo has it already in the can, on the stripper clip, for a good price. If you want the same stuff that works for LE and soldiers go Lake City or IMI. XM855 is NATO spec 62gr 5.56 M193 is Nato Spec 55gr 5.56 Mk 262 is 77gr 5.56 with Sierra OTM MatchKing ammo or Nosler Boat Tail HP __________________ Here's my credo: There are no good guns, There are no bad guns. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a bad thing. Any gun in the hands of a good man is no threat to anyone, except bad people. Charlton Heston Last edited by MikeNice81; January 9, 2014 at 08:25 AM.

January 2, 2014, 10:36 PM	#1
sbaker10 Member Join Date: December 10, 2013 Posts: 73	Best .223/556 for general purpose What is the best ammo to hoard for generic shtf, target shooting, self defense etc? The options in my price range are Tula .223 I could afford more but it won't fragment, may wear the barrel faster and may not be as reliable, m855 is another option, I like the steel penetrator as I like shooting old air tanks and the like. It does appear to yaw ans fragment, its also probabaly going to still be reliable even years later. Palmetto is also, running a good deal on fiochi shooting dynamics, it's 55gr .223 at 18$ for 50, however I dunno if it would fragment

January 2, 2014, 10:58 PM	#2
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	I don't know what price you pay for Hornady training ammo. But I've used both the brass and steel cased ammo and it's crazy accurate, and cheaper than anything but Russian steel case. Being soft point makes them a no brainer for me.

January 3, 2014, 01:42 AM	#3
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,360	Overall I think the standard M193 ball ammo would serve as the best type to stockpile. If your rifle can reliably shoot steel-cased ammo like Tula, then go for that. It might not be as accurate, so you will have to test the ammo in your gun to see what accuracy you will get from it. The Fiocchi 55gr at PSA is also a great deal for $18/50rds. Remember that fragmentation is affected by a few factors: bullet velocity and bullet type. My recommendation is to stock up mostly on brass-cased ball ammo like M193, then throw in a few hundred rounds of M855 and Tula if possible (depending on your budget.

January 3, 2014, 10:26 AM	#4
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 423	PSA has 20 round boxes of American Eagle 55 gr for $7.69 a box. Best I've seen in a LONG time...

January 5, 2014, 10:32 AM	#5
J270 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2006 Posts: 151	What does all those numbers mean. Are they military specs. Xm 195, m855 ???

January 5, 2014, 10:55 AM	#7
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Before you stock pile ammo, make sure to shoot a whole bunch through your rifle. Check function and accuracy. So buy a few different types. I like the Federal from Lake City in their M855 offering. All my rifles in 5.56 shoot acceptable groups and zero malfunction. Plus the brass for them are awesome for reloading.

January 5, 2014, 11:06 AM	#8
Hapax Legomena Member Join Date: June 19, 2013 Posts: 16	M193 / M855 -- yes, military specifications. M193 = 55 grain M855 = 62 grain

January 5, 2014, 11:13 AM	#9
jersurf101 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 553	My 16 inch carbine loves PMC bronze 55 gr. I have always found it to be reasonably priced as well.

January 6, 2014, 03:52 PM	#11
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	By the time you spend hundreds on factory ammo, you could get an inexpensive Hand Press and make 1000 rounds of your own ammo. Just saying.

January 9, 2014, 01:01 PM	#13
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I'll stay with whichever 55-grain soft point is accurate in my rifle.