What is your opinion for the best all around .223/5.56 taking into consideration HD, plinking, range, ballistics, etc. in one round for a 1 in 7. What say you and why? I've read ammo oracle and my head is spinning and need to hear from the collective that's in the know. I just normally buy from Wallyworld, but am about to buy 1000 rounds of ______ for my Sig556.

Thanks for your insights!

The heavier bullet weights are supposed to work best in the 1/7 twist bbl. Mine prefers in the 75-77 grain, Hornady or Black Hills. It works OK with anything though, that is just for the most accuracy.

Personally I don't prefer Wolf, etc.

For "do it all," XM193
For HD/soft targets 75gr 5.56mm red-box T2
For deer or cars LE223T3 or Barnes TSX

M193 in any of its various forms--XM193, Winchester Q3131a, etc. My AR's have barrels that range from 1:7 to 1:12, and I've found that M193 works great in all of them.

I've recently gotten great results (tighter groups @ 100 yards) with my SIG556 at the range from PMC .223 55 grain. Better than Lawman 5.56 55 grain and XM193 5.56 55 grain. Go figure.

+1 for XM193.

quote:

Originally posted by sig45forme:
I've recently gotten great results (tighter groups @ 100 yards) with my SIG556 at the range from PMC .223 55 grain. Better than Lawman 5.56 55 grain and XM193 5.56 55 grain. Go figure.

PMC is probably a hair more accurate, but a lot slower. 2-300fps or so slower.

I get around 2MOA 10-shot groups with XM193 Black Box at 200m off a bipod on a bench using a CAR A3 Elite w/10X VXIII Leupold. What kind of accuracy was the PMC getting for you?

I'm not a big fan of XM193 when I shoot it side by side with Black Hills 75 gr MHP there is a huge difference on consistency and accuracy. othe

I picked up another 1k rds of BH today.

quote:

Originally posted by shadco:
I'm not a big fan of XM193 when I shoot it side by side with Black Hills 75 gr MHP there is a huge difference on consistency and accuracy. othe

I picked up another 1k rds of BH today.

Shad, where did you pick up your BH rounds at?

local dealer Rockville MD Atlantic Guns.

They have a lot in stock all different loads. It's not cheap

agree as above, XM193 any of the domestic brands, Winchester, American Eagle sold as "tactical" etc. I try to only run 5.56 in my 1/7 not the 223. 223 runs great, just prefer the 5.56. I like the NATO 62g green tips but expensive and hard to find. As an FYI the 5.56 is loaded hotter typcailly than 223 and from my findings less accurate than 223.

Around here you can find winchchester and AE for @$10 box of 20. PMC 223 runs @$8 per box of twenty.

quote:

Originally posted by ACPFAN:

quote:

Originally posted by sig45forme:
I've recently gotten great results (tighter groups @ 100 yards) with my SIG556 at the range from PMC .223 55 grain. Better than Lawman 5.56 55 grain and XM193 5.56 55 grain. Go figure.

PMC is probably a hair more accurate, but a lot slower. 2-300fps or so slower.

I get around 2MOA 10-shot groups with XM193 Black Box at 200m off a bipod on a bench using a CAR A3 Elite w/10X VXIII Leupold. What kind of accuracy was the PMC getting for you?

About the same with the PMC, which probably means you're a better shot than I am.

quote:

Originally posted by sig45forme:

quote:

Originally posted by ACPFAN:

quote:

Originally posted by sig45forme:
I've recently gotten great results (tighter groups @ 100 yards) with my SIG556 at the range from PMC .223 55 grain. Better than Lawman 5.56 55 grain and XM193 5.56 55 grain. Go figure.

PMC is probably a hair more accurate, but a lot slower. 2-300fps or so slower.

I get around 2MOA 10-shot groups with XM193 Black Box at 200m off a bipod on a bench using a CAR A3 Elite w/10X VXIII Leupold. What kind of accuracy was the PMC getting for you?

About the same with the PMC, which probably means you're a better shot than I am.

Or I got some good M193. I had some Q3131 XM193 that would only do 3.5MOA at 100 yards. This Federal XM193 would do around 2 MOA at that distance.

How does the FEDERAL Value packs of 100 rds 55g FMJ at WalMart do in moderate twist barrels like 1:9" If you are using a good benchrest, and target length barrel like 26" what kind of groups can you expect? Anybody put some down range recently?

If you factor in price, look for a case or two of XM 193.

It's a 55gr bullet. It should work find in a 1:7 twist barrel.

Now, to REALLY use a 1:7 barrel you would shoot heavier bullets, 69gr and up.

If you were going for match ammo, i would say the 77gr Sierra Match King gets some good reviews...

As for bulk, look for some 62gr M855 or some 55gr M193.

Kevin

I'll jump on and say XM193 is probably one of the best all-around rounds.

I also really like the PRVI that you can buy in 200 rd. battle packs at www.wideners.com as well. Shoots clean, and for 30+ cents a round, it's pretty darn economical for 5.56.

All reasonable answers...
I have a slightly different take:

If Money were no option, and you wanted it to perform under all conditions, I would probably have to go with Fed 62g Tactical bonded...not the most accurate, but accurate enough, not the most expansion, but expands well enough etc etc.

If cost was a consideration, I would find Winchester's 64g Power-point (knurled). Its has been used in lots of LE shootings, mostly due to its lower contract price, expands well, performs adequatly after glass, not super accurate like the 75-77g, but well enough, and half the cost of the bonded Fed round.

.223/5.56 is a great round, but there is no free lunch....

Cost dictates load for me. I usually shoot with Monarch 55 grn SP but alternate with 55 grn Lawman. I seemed to notice that a BH 62 grn load hit low where my shitty Monarch was on point. I seemed to experience the same phenomena with their 75 grn load. Ultimately, I'm left with the impression that bullet weight affects trajectory and you'll have to forgive me if I reveal my ignorance with that statement. Given that observation, I'd recommend you put some thought into what bullet weight will be best for your applications. I'd love to shoot with 75 grn loads exclusively but I can't really afford it. The 55 grn Speer Lawman is $.42 a round and its 5.56 stamped LC. It's affordable.

I think the 75 grn loading is optimal and would shoot it exclusively if I could afford it.

I bought some IDF surplus a few year back and it has been very high quality