Ammo questions on 5.56 NATO

smokiniron · October 24, 2012, 03:52 PM

Hi All,

I just got my first AR. It's the Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Sport. The LGS got a couple so I grabbed one for $599. Intended use is described, below.

I'm likely keeping it somewhat stock, Magpul iron peep, etc. (Yeah... I know I'll probably start messing with it, but I'd like to get friendly with the gun first!)

So, with the 1:8 twist, what ammo do I want for range practice, plinking, coyote control and HD?

And, for cleaning, I have a brass .22 cal kit. With a bore guide, is that OK, or are there other, better options?

Thanks, folks....

Rampant_Colt · October 24, 2012, 04:11 PM

1:8 twist barrels should stabilize bullet weights up to 77 grains.

For things that go bump in the night:

W-W 64gr PowerPoint
Federal 62gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw
Federal 60gr Nosler Partition
Federal 64gr Tru
Federal 62gr Fusion bonded
Federal 64gr SP
Barnes VOR-TX 55gr Triple-Shock
Hornady 60gr SP
Hornady 75gr TAP
Speer 64gr Gold Dot

loose_holster_dan · October 24, 2012, 04:12 PM

ideally 70gr+, but it'll shoot the lighter 55gr stuff just fine.

smokiniron · October 24, 2012, 04:42 PM

I appreciate the feedback Thanks folks

madcratebuilder · October 26, 2012, 08:06 AM

The 1-8 twist well shoot any NATO 5.56 you can find. I would get a case of LC M193 and learn the platform with it. The AR is designed to function with 5.56 NATO and well not always run well with .223.

kraigwy · October 26, 2012, 08:35 AM

WE all have our favorites based on what we do with our rifles.

So to be honest, you're 1;8 will shoot anything from 50 -77 grn bullest quite well.

Maybe not the 80 -90 grn stuff but that has to be reloaded and loaded long, it wont fit in the Magazine and I don't think that's what you want.

So I'd suggest go to a box store and get cheap soft point 55 grn stuff. Assuming it works, you'll get it cheaper, meaning you can shoot more, which if done right means you'll be able to shoot your rifle better.

Don't get hung up on high price match ammo unless you're getting into High Power Match Shooting.

Jimro · October 26, 2012, 10:10 PM

250 meters and in you are good to go with 55gr soft points. It will handle varmints nicely, even punch through soft body armor if that is a concern for things that go bump in the night. Heck, if you are worried about pelt damage get FMJs for cheap, usually called M193 or XM193.

Jimro

smokiniron · October 26, 2012, 11:01 PM

Thanks, gents. That's what I needed to hear. recommendations and applications. Perfect!

p loader · October 26, 2012, 11:40 PM

There ya go

http://www.bulkammo.com/1000-rounds-...pmc-55gr-fmjbt

chris in va · October 27, 2012, 12:53 AM

I have one too.

I usually take the bolt apart after every range trip and clean out the carbon, along with the junk around the gas tube. Mobil 1 seems to work well on the friction points.

Might want to get a different handguard at some point as the stock one isn't heat shielded and gets hot pretty quick. I found a standard Colt double shielded at a gun show for $10. Stick with the Magpul Pmags, they work well.

smokiniron · October 27, 2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

http://www.bulkammo.com/1000-rounds-...pmc-55gr-fmjbt

I'll check it out! Always need good, low-priced rounds...!

Quote:

Might want to get a different handguard at some point as the stock one isn't heat shielded and gets hot pretty quick. I found a standard Colt double shielded at a gun show for $10. Stick with the Magpul Pmags, they work well.

Yup... Got a gun show in 2-3 weeks locally. I'll check the handguards, and Pmags.

Many thanks! Now, just gotta' get to WallyWorld for a box of something and hump it out to the west desert to shoot rocks and milk jugs!

Yahoooo!

(Pics of the new baby tomorrow!)

October 24, 2012, 03:52 PM	#1
smokiniron Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 232	Ammo questions on 5.56 NATO Hi All, I just got my first AR. It's the Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Sport. The LGS got a couple so I grabbed one for $599. Intended use is described, below. I'm likely keeping it somewhat stock, Magpul iron peep, etc. (Yeah... I know I'll probably start messing with it, but I'd like to get friendly with the gun first!) So, with the 1:8 twist, what ammo do I want for range practice, plinking, coyote control and HD? And, for cleaning, I have a brass .22 cal kit. With a bore guide, is that OK, or are there other, better options? Thanks, folks.... __________________ "Figure Out What You Believe and STAND YOUR GROUND!" Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Lots of Cast Iron to Cook With... and a few defensive firearms, too!

October 24, 2012, 04:11 PM	#2
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	1:8 twist barrels should stabilize bullet weights up to 77 grains. For things that go bump in the night: W-W 64gr PowerPoint Federal 62gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Federal 60gr Nosler Partition Federal 64gr Tru Federal 62gr Fusion bonded Federal 64gr SP Barnes VOR-TX 55gr Triple-Shock Hornady 60gr SP Hornady 75gr TAP Speer 64gr Gold Dot __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

October 24, 2012, 04:12 PM	#3
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	ideally 70gr+, but it'll shoot the lighter 55gr stuff just fine. __________________ Favorite range gun for the money - CZ 75B or STI Spartan V 9mm Go-to carry setup - Walther PPS or PPQ in FIST kydex holster 1AK Favorite semi-auto design - HK P7 "A Sig is like a lightsaber - not as clumsy or random as a Glock."

October 24, 2012, 04:42 PM	#4
smokiniron Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 232	good info... I appreciate the feedback Thanks folks __________________ "Figure Out What You Believe and STAND YOUR GROUND!" Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Lots of Cast Iron to Cook With... and a few defensive firearms, too!

October 26, 2012, 08:35 AM	#6
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	WE all have our favorites based on what we do with our rifles. So to be honest, you're 1;8 will shoot anything from 50 -77 grn bullest quite well. Maybe not the 80 -90 grn stuff but that has to be reloaded and loaded long, it wont fit in the Magazine and I don't think that's what you want. So I'd suggest go to a box store and get cheap soft point 55 grn stuff. Assuming it works, you'll get it cheaper, meaning you can shoot more, which if done right means you'll be able to shoot your rifle better. Don't get hung up on high price match ammo unless you're getting into High Power Match Shooting. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

October 26, 2012, 08:06 AM	#5
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	The 1-8 twist well shoot any NATO 5.56 you can find. I would get a case of LC M193 and learn the platform with it. The AR is designed to function with 5.56 NATO and well not always run well with .223.

October 26, 2012, 10:10 PM	#7
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	250 meters and in you are good to go with 55gr soft points. It will handle varmints nicely, even punch through soft body armor if that is a concern for things that go bump in the night. Heck, if you are worried about pelt damage get FMJs for cheap, usually called M193 or XM193. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

October 26, 2012, 11:01 PM	#8
smokiniron Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 232	The above three posts... Thanks, gents. That's what I needed to hear. recommendations and applications. Perfect! __________________ "Figure Out What You Believe and STAND YOUR GROUND!" Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Lots of Cast Iron to Cook With... and a few defensive firearms, too!

October 26, 2012, 11:40 PM	#9
p loader Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2012 Posts: 148	There ya go http://www.bulkammo.com/1000-rounds-...pmc-55gr-fmjbt

October 27, 2012, 12:53 AM	#10
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I have one too. I usually take the bolt apart after every range trip and clean out the carbon, along with the junk around the gas tube. Mobil 1 seems to work well on the friction points. Might want to get a different handguard at some point as the stock one isn't heat shielded and gets hot pretty quick. I found a standard Colt double shielded at a gun show for $10. Stick with the Magpul Pmags, they work well.