Which 5.56 ammo for SHTF

[Bill92869]

Most threads comment on which 5.56 ammo is the best, but with price as the barometer. I am interested in what others have to say when best means the best ammo for training, sighting in and overall familiarity with, that matches what our military would be using in a SHTF situation. I realize that National Guard may be used in addition to regular Army, so please share your views. I want to be a ready as possible to use ammo from any source and have it shoot to same POA. Thanks in advance for your input.

[Loner]

XM193. Get it wherever you can find it. Buy a case or two and toss them into ammo cans.

[masterkwan]

I believe natchez has some xm193 for $7.99 a box. Can't go wrong with the ammo.

[JeffM]

XM193. Get it wherever you can find it. Buy a case or two and toss them into ammo cans.

Good answer, but doesn't answer the OP's Q exactly.

I was under the impression that the .mil uses SS109/M855 which uses a 62gr bullet with a steel penetrator in the core. XM193/etc uses a 55gr bullet that will have a different POI from the former at different ranges.

I personally like the M193, and have 1K+ of hot Guatemalan that I don't want to burn up at the range until I find something to replace it with.

[ar15barrels]

National guard probably still has A1's.
I know the Air Force reservists do.
If that's the case, they would most likely be shooting M193, not M855.

[grywlfbg]

I have some frangible for Home Defense (I worry about overpenetration through these 1950's cracker-box houses we live in) and SS109/M855 for fighting better-equipped (light armor) bad guys.

[Bill92869]

Thats a good point! Had not factored in the unique performance aspect (armor piercing).

[1lostinspace]

I prefer M855 but M193 is a great choice.
For my SHTF mags I have 75gr HRNDY reloads and M855

[MrLogan]

National guard probably still has A1's.
I know the Air Force reservists do.
If that's the case, they would most likely be shooting M193, not M855.

Hell, I've seen (and used) A1's on active duty.

[ByteMe72]

There's a LOT of discussion of this very topic over on AR15.COM ("arfcom"). The general consensus is that a mix of M193 and M855 is probably best for most guns and situations. The really heavy and exotic loads (your Mk262, the various heavy OTM bullets, etc.) are great performers but brutally expensive and have vastly different zeroes than the much more available and cheaper M193/M855.

For my stockpile, I've got quite a bit of M193 and a little bit of M855 for the tougher "critters." For typical (200 yards and less) engagements, the difference in POI for M193 vs M855 is tiny (maybe an inch or so at 200 yards). That's a giant difference for competitive shooting, but for SHTF it's essentially no difference at all.

The really heavy bullets (basically anything much over 68 - 69 gr) generally are more stable out of a fast 1:7 twist rifling. A super-heavy 77 gr OTM bullet may work okay out of a 1:9 twist on a sunny day, but what happens when the SHTF in the dead of winter, up in the hills say? You try to shoot the zombie at 100 yards at near zero degrees (or worse yet below zero degrees) and your rounds will hit random spots not at all related to the location of the zombie.

Finally, you should "train as you fight." Unless you're prepared to do all of your training shooting with the Mk262/heavy OTM/magic expensive bullet, you would do well to stick to the old standbys. Just my opinion, so take it or leave it I guess.

[!@#$]

get a case or 2 of hornady tap 75 grain or ammo loaded with the hornady 75 grain bullet.

don't count on getting ammo from someone else after SHTF. you will be dead before you can fire a case or 2 of ammo.