First AR, what ammo?

[North Bay Guy]

PMC .223 is good stuff, made in South Korea. Usually one of the less expensive. Never had a problem either in the AR or the Mini 14 $8.99 a box at Cabela's

My AR loves PMC, it groups very nicely. I also like the way the cases are highly polished. Idk it kind of shows they take pride in their products. The prices isn't bad either.

[NulodPBall]

I would recommend you to just shoot the hell out of your Colt. Happy Shooting!

Note: If you shoot steel cased ammo, bring a steel cleaning rod. You'll probably need it at some point to remove a stuck case.

steel cased ammo is cheaper but can have issues. Just keep searching on that subject.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/

Brass cased ammo, for the most part is easier on your gun and functions well but will cost more.

If you are thinking about "protection" and not range shooting then you might want to investigate the utility of anything heavier than 55gr. Just be aware of whatever limitations your local range as for ammunition (call them or look up their website).

When in doubt, just buy whatever you want and have fun

[m35a2]

Steel just carbons the chamber a bit. After 4-500 rds, I stick a case. What I have found that works for me, is to load 4 or 5 brass cased rounds into the mag after a few hundred rds of steel and it will transfer the carbon to the brass and clean the chamber, you can keep on chooting. Or, just run a bore snake thru it and continue on. All of my junk eats steel with no unexpected issues.

[zfields]

Foreign made ammo labelled as XM193 and XM855 is often lower powered (and less expensive, steel cased, non-loadable) then the real stuff (ATK produced XM193 and XM855). The reason that the break-in recommendation is Federal XM193 and XM855 is because this is the full power ammunition that the M16, M4, and AR15 is designed to work with, and new guns often need full power ammo to cycle properly/reliably during the initial 500 round break-in period.

I've yet to ever see any steel cased ammo labeled as an XM product.

[G21Shooter]

Why stay away from Tula? My plinker AR eats it with no issues and my wallet appreciates it.

Tula works fine in my ARs, but for a new rifle I would break it in with a couple hundred rounds of brass cased .223 or 5.56.

[wild_weasel]

I try to stick with the Federal/American Eagle, but lately have not been too picky. PMC, Remington, and Winchester are good too. Expect a shift in the point of impact switching from boat tail to flat base bullets.

[TNP'R]

Any ammo you can find. I've shot all kinds of ammo through my Bushy with no problem.

[mofojoe]

Anything that you can get!!!

[Jimi Jah]

It's chome lined, steel won't matter. Otherwise, shoot the sh*t.

BTW, is the lower/upper tight or wobbly? My Colt was a mess so I sold it.

[bigbully]

It's chome lined, steel won't matter. Otherwise, shoot the sh*t.

BTW, is the lower/upper tight or wobbly? My Colt was a mess so I sold it.

Define mess. Is there more to this? I can't believe you would have sold it for a little slop! My 6940 had a little movement, but was easily corrected with slightly larger tighter takedown pins.

[Fireguy]

what do the colors mean on surplus ammo tips

[thatryan]

Wow, lots of great info here thanks all!

So, this should be good to go then yes?

http://www.natchezss.com/Ammo.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=FA&prodID=FAAE223BL&prodTitle=Federal%20American%20Eagle%C2%AE%20-%20.223%20Rem%2055gr%20FMJ%20100/Box

I am assuming it is brass and not steel.

[funnybookz]

This! Don't listen to the idiots who cry foul with steel case.

Idiots? Why the need for name calling? Oh yeah, I forgot, it's Calguns.

[MrPlink]

Get some 193 and paint the tips black

[Jimi Jah]

Define mess. Is there more to this? I can't believe you would have sold it for a little slop! My 6940 had a little movement, but was easily corrected with slightly larger tighter takedown pins.

Compared to my Daniel Defense and BCM, the Colt was PTAC grade. I expected a great gun and didn't get one. YMMV.