Dirty Disappointment: Rem UMC

General Firearms Reloading & Ammunition
1

This afternoon I purchased some ammo for this weekend at the range. I’ve only shot Hornady and Prvi Partizan, but I’m attempting to try every brand that’s reasonable in price and quality.

I grabbed a few boxes of the Partizan (55GR, SP) and then noticed that the Remington (50GR, JHP) was marked down to $11/20rds. I had passed on the Remington before because of price ($15/20rds), but decided to give it a try since it was marked down. The Partizan was, and has been every time I’ve bought it, $9/20rds.

I always make it a point to open an ammo box and inspect a couple rounds before making a purchase. In my experience Hornady ammo is near pristine. When I first bought Partizan, I thought it quite dirty compared to Hornady, but it shot great. Inspecting the Rem UMC today, I thought the same about it as I did the Partizan, but with a name like Remington I decided to risk it.

Upon further inspection when I got home, I’m sorely disappointed with the quality of the Rem ammo. For a major manufacturer like Remington, I’m really put off by the quality of their product. Blemishes on the brass, discoloring of the projectile, and poor workmanship on the curvature of the hollowed pit are a bit disturbing to me.

Are these things I should worry about? Is this normal for Remington? I feel safer with the Partizan, and it’s not American made. I’m the type that likes his trucks, guns, and ammo made in America. Considering dumping this at the range and not even attempting to fire it.

Remington UMC, 50GR JHP, L223R8

Spent Hornday 55GR SP, Rem UMC 50GR JHP, Prvi Partizan 55GR SP

Spent Hornday 55GR SP, Rem UMC 50GR JHP, Prvi Partizan 55GR SP

2

If you are refering to the dark area on the shoulder that is from anealing the brass. Shoot it and be happy.

3

Looks fine in the photos. Shoot it and see how it does.

4

The cartridge in the first photo doesn’t look like it has been crimped…

5

I haven’t had much exposure to UMC rifle ammo, but this mirrors my experiences with Remington centerfire pistol and rimfire ammo.

In short: Remington makes a lot of dirty, low quality ammo. They’ve been doing it for years and apparently they’re satisfied with how their business runs. Caveat emptor.

6

Rem UMC is economy training/recreational ammo, and all that goes with it.

7

$11 for 20 is far from economy for me. The ammo should be fine it just ain’t “pretty”.

I usually get my ammo from aimsurplus. Just got 1000 rounds of wolf for under $200 to my door and I picked up a 300 pack of m855 at a gun show over the weekend for $110.

8

Exactly. I don’t mind dirty ammo as long as it’s cheap and doesn’t cause malfunctions. UMC doesn’t satisfy that requirement.

9

Your going to give ammo away because its not pretty? The gun isen’t going to care.

10

There is nothing wrong with the appearance of that brass, it’s your education that needs work.

I have no idea why so many shooters want their ammo to glitter like some sort of golden treasure. It’s ammo, it’s made to be shot.

The discoloration you see on the brass is from the annealing process. Tumbling the ammo to make it all shiny and pretty afterwards just adds more cost to the price of the ammo.

Having annealed brass on you .223 ammo is a good thing.

11

The OP is confusing aesthetics for function.

Try shooting the stuff and seeing how it groups.

Sheesh…

12

I’ve fired a ton of ammo that looks just like your pictures with no problems. Not to pretty to look at but will work

13

I have used that same ammo before, it worked just fine in my build.