What should I look for when...

[Centurion_D]

purchasing 5.56 ammo? I have a sporter with the barrel twist made for the heavier 62gr. bullet. Do I really need to purchase the steel core stuff? What I'm mainly looking at is puchasing in bulk (at least a 1,000 rounds) and storing that away for just those kind of SHTF situations..like what happened after hurricane katrina. Is there a difference from what civies can purchase and what's issued to front line combat units? I hear there are two types of ammo used in the military..practice ammo and combat ammo. I even remember when I was in the army when I first qualified with the M-16 the range officer told us we were using practice ammo and not the combat stuff. I was just wondering if it was true. Not that the bad guys are gonna really notice the difference if they're on the receiving end.

[Ratters]

Now is not the time to be stocking up as prices are ridiculously high right now. That said, I have been stocking up on the Winchester .223 55gr. value packs at Walmart. 40rds for a little under 8 bucks for clean reliable ammo, probably about 100fps slower than an m193 variant like 3131a. Shoots fine out of my 1 in 9 and my brother's 1 in 7 barrel. I have a case of IMI .223 but havent tried it. Also have some 3131a and xm193 stored away. I have some of the "Federal" Lake City m855pd that is considered practice ammo. You need to sort through it for split necks, severe dents, or badly seated bullets before loading in mags.

And hope this war comes to a speedy end so we can get some good ammo, though I think the days of 55gr. are waning.

And check the ammunition forum at ar15.com. They have lots of reviews and a price checker there. http://www.weaponforums.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=16

[delloro]

purchasing 5.56 ammo? I have a sporter with the barrel twist made for the heavier 62gr. bullet. Do I really need to purchase the steel core stuff?

no, 55-gr. and 62-gr. will both shoot well. 62-gr. lead core will work fine, too.

What I'm mainly looking at is puchasing in bulk (at least a 1,000 rounds) and storing that away for just those kind of SHTF situations..like what happened after hurricane katrina.

well then, you had better get the best you can.

Is there a difference from what civies can purchase and what's issued to front line combat units?

some states restrict tracers and other unusual ammo, but the standard ball ammo (M855) is normally available to one and all, even here in Ca.

I hear there are two types of ammo used in the military..practice ammo and combat ammo. I even remember when I was in the army when I first qualified with the M-16 the range officer told us we were using practice ammo and not the combat stuff. I was just wondering if it was true. Not that the bad guys are gonna really notice the difference if they're on the receiving end.

the "lake city" and "gen-u-wine mil surplus!" ammo generally on the market now is training ammo, which failed mil-spec QC testing. I called and asked and that's what they said. If you really want 1st-quality ammo and you want to bet your life on it, use what the military uses. M855 (or SS109) ball. get stuff that is not marked for practice or training.

[BigAL]

Like Ted said everything's in the oracle. It also mentions the best self defense stuff is the heavy match rounds which is my primary SHTF stuff. XM193 is what I use if that stuff runs out.

[delloro]

http://www.ammoman.com/webstore_223.htm

here is new production, front-line ammo.