Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Moderator: carlson1
Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Hope everyone's doing well. It's been a while since I've been actively reading/posting, as the newborn is keeping us quite busy.
I've been looking to acquire some good 5.56 NATO rounds to compliment a new acquisition, but have been having a hard time finding anything in stock -- that's both quality and a good deal for case. It seems like all the major national suppliers are on back order and I didn't find locally what I wanted. Initially I was thinking just some M193 from Lake City. (Weight's not an issue with a 1:7 twist, but for 100m and under I like the ballistics more than M855 and I don't need the steel.) CTD has some, but they seem to be over priced on their loose bulk, about which several folks commented their orders arrived with less than the specified count and some rounds damaged. I did manage to get some Black Hills 77 grain Sierra HPBT, but I'd rather have something less expensive for the range and stocking up.
Are my experiences isolated, or have others found difficultly as of late, too? Just curious and would welcome any suggestions.
I've been looking to acquire some good 5.56 NATO rounds to compliment a new acquisition, but have been having a hard time finding anything in stock -- that's both quality and a good deal for case. It seems like all the major national suppliers are on back order and I didn't find locally what I wanted. Initially I was thinking just some M193 from Lake City. (Weight's not an issue with a 1:7 twist, but for 100m and under I like the ballistics more than M855 and I don't need the steel.) CTD has some, but they seem to be over priced on their loose bulk, about which several folks commented their orders arrived with less than the specified count and some rounds damaged. I did manage to get some Black Hills 77 grain Sierra HPBT, but I'd rather have something less expensive for the range and stocking up.
Are my experiences isolated, or have others found difficultly as of late, too? Just curious and would welcome any suggestions.
"We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." - L. McDonald
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Don't currently own a 5.56 so have nothing to add on the ammo subject.....
Just wanted to say congrats on the baby!
Just wanted to say congrats on the baby!

TANSTAAFL
- UpTheIrons
- Senior Member
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: Seguin, Texas
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Is Natchez out of stock again? They had a pretty good deal on XM193 not too long ago.
"I don't know how that would ever be useful, but I want two!"
Springs are cheap - your gun and your life aren't.
Springs are cheap - your gun and your life aren't.
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
I have had really good luck with SG ammo in oklahoma. the XM556FBIT3 is a steal IMO
what exactly are you trying to get? mk262 or 855a1 is super expensive right now. mk318 mod 0 is way up there but awesome.
what exactly are you trying to get? mk262 or 855a1 is super expensive right now. mk318 mod 0 is way up there but awesome.
- The Annoyed Man
- Senior Member
- Posts: 26889
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 pm
- Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
- Contact:
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Cabelas M855: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting ... t104532480
It's $180 for 420 rounds, but I suspect that at this time, that's about all you're going to find.
It's $180 for 420 rounds, but I suspect that at this time, that's about all you're going to find.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
#TINVOWOOT
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
#TINVOWOOT
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Thanks so much! He's our first and it's been incredible.74novaman wrote:Just wanted to say congrats on the baby!
"We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." - L. McDonald
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Natchez is out of stock of the bulk M193, but has a comparable on M855 to TAM's recommendation.UpTheIrons wrote:Is Natchez out of stock again? They had a pretty good deal on XM193 not too long ago.
"We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." - L. McDonald
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
I was able to pick up some MK262 already. I'll have to look at the MK318 -- not too familiar, although it's my understanding it looks like a HP, but is FMJ with hole not designed for expansion, and outperforms the M855 when shot through barriers. Heard mixed reviews about XM556FBIT3, but I guess the only real way to know is to put some down range. Thanks for the advice.JeepGuy79 wrote:mk262 or 855a1 is super expensive right now. mk318 mod 0 is way up there but awesome.
"We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." - L. McDonald
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
I appreciate the recommendation, TAM! I've seen similar prices from other folks, but all were back ordered. Cabelas has it in stock. Will probably get a can while they have it.The Annoyed Man wrote:Cabelas M855: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting ... t104532480
It's $180 for 420 rounds, but I suspect that at this time, that's about all you're going to find.
"We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." - L. McDonald
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
unless you are shooting long range I wouldn't buy the fbi load or mod 0 I was thinking more for a defensive round. I have some 855 I shoot at the range on 100m or less but I sometimes toss some mod 0 in the HK53 and show off some super tight groups from that tiny 8.3" barrel.
What barrel length do you have? I notice the heavy loads making more difference in my shorter guns. ymmv
What barrel length do you have? I notice the heavy loads making more difference in my shorter guns. ymmv
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Definitely interested in a defensive round for 100m and less.JeepGuy79 wrote:unless you are shooting long range I wouldn't buy the fbi load or mod 0 I was thinking more for a defensive round. I have some 855 I shoot at the range on 100m or less [...]
16 in., 1:7 twist.JeepGuy79 wrote:What barrel length do you have? I notice the heavy loads making more difference in my shorter guns. ymmv
Again, thanks for the advice!
"We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." - L. McDonald
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
Check out ammunitiontogo.com in Brenham. They may be within driving distance for you. If it's on their website they have it in stock. They don't have a store you can go into to shop and even if you go there they still make you order it from their website on a terminal in the office. You just select "pick up" instead of having it shipped. I was there about a month ago and did that and paid in cash, but was still a little surprised about having to order through the website.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016.
NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider
- The Annoyed Man
- Senior Member
- Posts: 26889
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 pm
- Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
- Contact:
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
I checked their site before giving him the Cabelas link because they appear to be out of bulk supplies, which is what I thought he wanted.C-dub wrote:Check out ammunitiontogo.com in Brenham. They may be within driving distance for you. If it's on their website they have it in stock. They don't have a store you can go into to shop and even if you go there they still make you order it from their website on a terminal in the office. You just select "pick up" instead of having it shipped. I was there about a month ago and did that and paid in cash, but was still a little surprised about having to order through the website.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
#TINVOWOOT
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
#TINVOWOOT
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
I was talking with a buddy of mine last night. He owns a small local gun shop, and was approached by a company that is moving into the area. They are some kind of military subcontractor, and claim to have about 2 million rounds of 5.56 and 7.62. They wanted to know if he would be interested in selling it in his store. He said he'd like to have some ready to go by the end of next month. He is getting ready to launch a web store, as well.
As soon as it's ready to go, I'll post more details.
As soon as it's ready to go, I'll post more details.
NRA lifetime member
Re: Supplies of Good 5.56 Ammo
C-dub wrote:Check out ammunitiontogo.com in Brenham. They may be within driving distance for you.
I appreciate all the helpful suggestions. I need to update my profile (which I'll do right after this), as I moved a few months ago from Austin to New Orleans. Although my love for Texas runs infinitely deep, it was important for my wife and me to make the transition before our son was born to be around our family.KC5AV wrote:I was talking with a buddy of mine last night. He owns a small local gun shop, and was approached by a company that is moving into the area.
I'll checkout the website and look forward to news about the local shop and the ammo manufacturer. I still know a lot of Austinites that would be interested. Thanks again everyone!

"We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." - L. McDonald