Author Topic: 5.56 ammo question (Read 6638 times)

Kaso · « **on:** August 03, 2016, 06:06:29 pm »

I am currently committed to something, but in a few weeks I am going to begin looking at buying a few thousand rounds of 5.56. Looking online, there are several choices. I want brass-cased military grade 5.56, in preferably 55gr.

So far I have seen German, Swiss, Croatian, Lithuanian, Serbian, Israeli, Korean, and of course US-made examples.

What do you prefer? Any to avoid?

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ksuguy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2016, 07:05:47 pm »

I like Prvi Partizan which is from Serbia. Also Wolf Gold which is the same thing in a different box.

Grant · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2016, 07:55:59 pm »

Quote from: ksuguy on August 03, 2016, 07:05:47 pm

I like Prvi Partizan which is from Serbia. Also Wolf Gold which is the same thing in a different box.

Actually Wolf Gold is made in Taiwan now.

Overall Kaso, here's my take on the stuff currently out there:

GECO: SUPER high quality, SUPER accurate, SUPER consistant ammo. It's typical swiss. I love the stuff, but.....I only have about 800 rounds I got super cheap. Why? Because for most shooting it's just more expensive. And while it's M193 "spec".....it's jacket is harder so doesn't fragment nearly as well (according to others tests).

Germen MEN: GOOD. I only shot one mags worth (gift, I didn't buy any) and would buy as my stockpile ammo. Consistant, accurate and smooth, while living up to true "mil-spec" specs.

Wolf Gold:......I know it isn't "5.56".....and is a "Cheap" foreign ammo......but it's actually made at the Taiwanese arsenal, and I get true 5.56 velocities from it. 3030-3050FPS from a 16" barrel. It's also VERY accurate and have had ZERO problems. This is what I stash the most of/.

Kaso · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2016, 08:07:33 pm »

Quote from: Grant on August 03, 2016, 07:55:59 pm

GECO: SUPER high quality, SUPER accurate, SUPER consistant ammo. It's typical swiss. I love the stuff, but.....I only have about 800 rounds I got super cheap. Why? Because for most shooting it's just more expensive. And while it's M193 "spec".....it's jacket is harder so doesn't fragment nearly as well (according to others tests).

Germen MEN: GOOD. I only shot one mags worth (gift, I didn't buy any) and would buy as my stockpile ammo. Consistant, accurate and smooth, while living up to true "mil-spec" specs.

Wolf Gold:......I know it isn't "5.56".....and is a "Cheap" foreign ammo......but it's actually made at the Taiwanese arsenal, and I get true 5.56 velocities from it. 3030-3050FPS from a 16" barrel. It's also VERY accurate and have had ZERO problems. This is what I stash the most of/.

Okay, why the MEN over the GECO? Price? SGAmmo has both for $.33/per round, and the Wolf Gold is only two cents less, at $.31/per round.

lesptr · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2016, 08:36:03 pm »

I prefer the IMI. It's been the most accurate of anything I've put through mine 1-7's.

ksuguy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2016, 08:59:11 pm »

Really, last I knew Wolf Gold was co-packed by Prvi. Guess they must have changed subcontractors. Sounds like the Taiwanese place is good too though.

Kaso · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2016, 09:12:37 pm »

Quote from: ksuguy on August 03, 2016, 08:59:11 pm

Sounds like the Taiwanese place is good too though.

Perhaps it is, but that rules it out for me. Chinese, Korean, and Russian are out. Not too crazy about Israeli either, but I won't rule it out if others have had great success with it.

Grant · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2016, 10:17:56 pm »

Quote from: Kaso on August 03, 2016, 09:12:37 pm

Perhaps it is, but that rules it out for me. Chinese, Korean, and Russian are out. Not too crazy about Israeli either, but I won't rule it out if others have had great success with it.

Just out of curiosity may I ask why?

Taiwan is as solid of a US ally/anti-china/Russia/whatever as Japan, Germany or Switzerland. They also have a good reputation for solid weaponry.

As for MEN over GECO: If you're wanting a SHTF between the two, the MEN will fragment more, otherwise they are virtually identical.

As for the price: I might have to pick up some MEN or GECO.....I haven't looked on SGammo for a LONG time but when I did those two were $30 per thousand more and Wolf Gold was $20 per thousand less than it is now. So it was a no-brainer when ordering 3,000 rounds.

I DO know that for being a cheap round, Wolf Gold fragments like a....well...it fragments really well.

Grant · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2016, 10:32:27 pm »

One thing I'll note that I forgot:

Get GECO 5.56 ammo, not .223. GECO .223 is actually loaded to .223 specs unlike Wolf gold so it runs 200FPS slower than any other true 5.56 ammo.

Kaso · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2016, 11:59:36 pm »

Quote from: Grant on August 03, 2016, 10:17:56 pm

Just out of curiosity may I ask why?

Personal preference.

Quote from: Grant on August 03, 2016, 10:17:56 pm

As for MEN over GECO: If you're wanting a SHTF between the two, the MEN will fragment more, otherwise they are virtually identical.

Fragmentation is more for antipersonnel use. Hopefully I don't end up shooting anyone, much less with FMJ.

GaBoy45 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2016, 12:23:33 am »

I've had good luck with the IMI but most of my shooting is done on the more practical side with lots of movement. It'll keep in the 10 box of our target at 200 yards with iron sights. It's good to go. Prvi Partisan and MEN are also good to go. Don't have any experience with Lithuanian but I did have some Australian 5.56 that I got from somewhere cheap a few years back but I shot the last of it a while back. It was pretty good.

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GeorgeHill · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2016, 01:38:29 am »

I've shot a lot of the Israeli stuff, and it's every bit as good as Federal XM193. Can't tell the difference.

huey148 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 08, 2016, 04:17:16 pm »

Good to hear as I picked up 900 rounds of it on stripper clips at a gunshow in May

GaBoy45 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2016, 12:20:09 am »

Another plus is that the Israeli stuff comes in 30 round boxes...not a deal breaker but nice to not have to break open different boxes to fill magazines

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huey148 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2016, 02:30:24 pm »

Yep with three 10 round stripper clips per box

Picked it up for about 0.23 a round

Raptor · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2016, 04:13:18 pm »

Pardon the brief thread-jack, but is Independence Ammo any good? My local FFL has a couple of cases on the shelf and I've been debating whether or not to pick some up.

exiledtoIA · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2016, 04:30:28 pm »

Quote from: Raptor on August 09, 2016, 04:13:18 pm

Pardon the brief thread-jack, but is Independence Ammo any good? My local FFL has a couple of cases on the shelf and I've been debating whether or not to pick some up.

Is that the stuff in the red, white, and blue boxes? If so it's plinker grade. Maybe training if the instructor is a buddy who will use you as an example ( of how not to do things). It goes bang but in my experience that's about it.

Grant · « **Reply #17 on:** August 09, 2016, 04:31:36 pm »

Basically it's repackaged for commercial IMI I believe.

The Red, white and blue boxes are Ultramax I think. Which I've personally had really good luck with, though only softpoint ammo for bolt guns.

Raptor · « **Reply #18 on:** August 09, 2016, 05:33:02 pm »

Quote from: exiledtoIA on August 09, 2016, 04:30:28 pm

Is that the stuff in the red, white, and blue boxes? If so it's plinker grade. Maybe training if the instructor is a buddy who will use you as an example ( of how not to do things). It goes bang but in my experience that's about it.

No, it's this stuff:

I've heard that it's basically repackaged Blaser Brass/Federal standard-brand, but can't find any confirmation.

Kaso · « **Reply #19 on:** August 09, 2016, 06:36:20 pm »

As Grant said, I'm pretty sure that is Israeli.

Grant · « **Reply #20 on:** August 09, 2016, 07:11:54 pm »

Quote from: Raptor on August 09, 2016, 05:33:02 pm

No, it's this stuff:

I've heard that it's basically repackaged Blaser Brass/Federal standard-brand, but can't find any confirmation.

Basically it's commercial grade Israeli sold by Federal. It's lower quality than IMI 5.56 ammunition. It's that cheaper/low lost Israeli ammo made for commercial purposes.