SD/HD gun , but live out in the country and might have to bang it at a decent distance. Could be meth-heads with body armor, who knows. I’m not going to Ukraine or to Taiwan, but some of those “battlefield” issued ammo specs would come in handy. Which one be bestest for all-'round use?
MK 318
MK262
M855A1
The vaunted “FBI” load M556FBIT3
Based on availability right now I go Mk262. Haven’t seen A1 on the civilian market, and availability on SOST and T3 (both FBI and SBC) seem to be dried up. So in that position, as soon as a Free Shipping promo drops I call up ol’ Larry and get some more cases of IMI Razorcore 262 on the way…
Take this with a grain, as most of your kids probably have more hands-on experience than I do, but if you can’t get the Primo Shit you have to settle for what’s the best, or sometimes Least Worst, of what you CAN.
Assuming you have access to all of the above equally in terms of general purpose use A1 followed by SOST as a close second. FBIT3 is a great 200 yd and in load. I would put 262 dead last as a general purpose load unless you are doing a lot of shooting past 300 yds since it has the worst terminal performance out of all of the above.
Really? I thought maybe not so much for barrier penetration but for “soft” targets it was the shiznit. That said, yours isn’t the first time I’ve heard that opinion…hmmm.
Appreciate the input.
Well, there’s always the Doc’s take…
"Short barreled 5.56 mm weapons, such as the Colt Commando, Mk18 CQBR, HK416, HK53, HK G36C, etc… offer advantages in confined spaces.
With SBR’s it is best to stick with the barrier blind loads recommended above*, although the heavy OTM’s suggested for long distance shooting will also work. SBR’s can run into rotational velocity issues with some loads, so it is generally best to select faster 1/7 twist barrels whenever possible. Remember, with SBR’s, effective engagement distances are significantly reduced compared to the longer barreled carbines."
*If you have 1/9 or faster twist rate barrel (so 1/9, 1/8, and 1/7 twist):
*** 5.56 mm Federal 62 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC) bonded JSP (XM556FBIT3)
*** 5.56 mm Winchester 64 gr solid base bonded JSP (Q3313/RA556B)
*** Black Hills 5.56 mm 50 gr TSX loading.
*** The Hornady 5.56 mm 55 gr GMX
NOTE: that these are all true 5.56 mm loads that require a real milspec 5.56 mm chamber, not a SAAMI .223 chamber–be sure to check with an appropriate gauge or reamer.
Most other acceptable LE barrier blind loadings are at .223 pressures including the following …
*** .223 55 & 62 gr Federal bonded JSP Tactical loads (LE223T1 & LE223T3)
*** Nosler 60 gr Partition JSP,
*** Remington 62 gr Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded JSP (PRC223R4)
*** .223 Federal 55 gr TSX (T223S)
*** .223 Hornady 55 gr GMX
*** .223 Speer 64 gr Gold Dot JSP‘s (and identically constructed Federal 62 gr Fusion JSP and Federal XM223SP1 62gr Bonded JSP).
*** The Swift 75 gr Scirocco bonded PT is also good choice, but usually requires a 1/7 twist.
Note that the Barnes all copper TSX bullets are great projectiles and offer good penetration through barriers, however, when first hitting a laminated automobile windshield intermediate barrier, most TSX bullets exhibit less expansion than bonded JSP’s, as the Barnes jacket either collapses at the nose, the jacket “petals” fold back against the core, or the “petals” are torn off; this results in a caliber size projectile configured a lot like a full wadcutter, leading to deep penetration.
Unf, only T3 is on this list.
Its not a bad choice, just not ideal. In the 2000’s anyone who paid attention to ammo performance was running OTM as a general purpose load, either 262 or TAP. Now that we have better options, OTMs especially 262 just doesnt offer anything except really good accuracy over any other load. Just how much accuracy do you need out of a general purpose load? If I wanted longer range performance and explosive terminal ballistics Id just use 77gr TMKs.
I like the price and availability of Gold Dot these days.
Excellent summary, and spot-on analysis.
Two of the choices on your list are unobtainium, MK318 will likely never be made again and M855A1 will never be released for commercial sale. Yes you might be able to find small mixed lots of either at ridiculous prices but I don’t believe you will ever be able to order a case from a dealer. Just to get ahead of the A1 fanboys (hey I’m one too, wish I could get some), the reason it will never be released is due to liability, it is not a round suitable to use in non mil-spec rifles not using mil-spec magazines. Joe Bob shooting A1 in his bargain basement polymer lower, overgassed AR with 4140 nitrated barrel using green follower mags might have some issues.
Israeli Mk262 if you’re wanting a good mix of price, terminal performance, and grouping. Ask yourself this, though. Are you a good enough combat marksman that the minute difference in group size offered by that more expensive ammo is going to make a big difference? I’ll say right up front that I’m not.
Also keep in mind that to realize that difference you not only have to be a very good combat marksman, but you also have to train with the ammo you shoot so you know where your holds are and to make sure your optic is always dead nuts zeroed. When you’re splitting hairs, you can’t just sight in with the good stuff and then practice with something else. Your holds will be all over the place. You would be much better off getting something affordable that you can practice with and knowing exactly where your holds are.
Which brings up another point. Do you have the ability to set up a range where you can shoot at 300 plus meters? If not, there’s not much point in using match grade ammo.
Whatever you end up doing, I wouldn’t use the A1. Nobody knows where that stuff is coming from. For all we know it’s the rejects. Whoever is leaking the stuff is breaking the law, so they’re probably not above selling subpar or even dangerous ammo. If I had any, I would sell it for big bucks and replace it with something affordable that’s a known source.
Sarcasm, or do you have a source?
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/223-remington/Speer
Now Seeking Speer .223 Remington Ammo rifle Nothing Found
I see it popping up fairly regularly, at around a buck a round.
Everything I have read (I haven’t shot many or any home invaders) leads me to believe that bonded soft point ammo is the answer. The military has constraints and requirements for ammo that simply do not apply to a civilian and I would no more run a military round by choice than own a HMMWV as my daily driver.
Andy
I agree that for a general purpose CONUS civilian/LE load where longer distance shots are rare and where shooting in and around cars is prevalent, a good bonded SP is ideal. But if given the OP’s constraints with the only SP option being FBIT3 which both has pretty bad accuracy and garbage BC since its basically a flat point hog hammer bullet then I don’t think it meets the OP’s needs for a good distance bullet. There’s a reason I chose 75gr Gold Dot as my general purpose load since it alleviates the two main issues I have with FBIT3.
I shoot 24" gongs gongs at 300 with irons; 30 of 30…I’m a fat mechanic.
I feel like sometimes we really go overboard with this stuff…
If you’re shooting at night the game changes. I’ve shot to 600(meters) with 10X on a 12" plate in pitch black with NV. I’m am hilariously far from a pro.
Here’s my answer…If you have an AR that’s properly sighted, you’re GTG.
No one cares what you can do with iron sights off a bench, this is a technical ammo discussion. Provide relevant data or leave.
I actually have LE223T3 loaded in my HD mags, which I think shares the FBIT3 negatives, and a pretty decent stock of IMI 77 gr OTM. The 75 gr Gold Dot is bonded soft point, right? Just better.
My thought was that including A1 and MK318 made the question more theoretical than “I have these types of ammo on hand”.
Andy
I dont think 75gr Gold Dot is better, just different. FBIT3 is loaded hotter and holds together better through barriers, its probably the best barrier load out there. If you don’t mind the 3 minute accuracy or horrible drop and wind drift past 250-300 yd mark then its the perfect ammo for your purposes.
I am going to offer a different perspective. With pistols, due to the range of engagement and the lack of “power” in a pistol, I try to find the best round. As everyone knows I think it is the Leighi Defense 68 grain in 357sig or 9mm.
But when it comes to general use rifle, I don’t have the same concerns. The power of the rifle and ability to put more shots on target rapidly if it is at close distance, I don’t worry about it. As the distance gets bigger I worry even less, within reason.
For urban use my rifle is a 5.56 11.5 inch AR loaded with ball.
For rural use I switch to my 6,5 Grendel with an 18 inch barrel, and this will take me way out in distance.
Both rounds might be rare, but I know I can’t be the only one that made a point of stocking up on Mk318 (both Mod 0 and Mod 1 versions) when it was available. M855A1 is certainly rarer than that but can be found if one specifically looks for it. Uncommon shouldn’t automatically make it theoretical.