Jellybean
02-08-14, 21:36
For those of you that read version 1.0.... let me re-word this, as v1.0 was long and convoluted.
Given the climate, I feel the need to belatedly invest in some "put it in a box and forget you own it" stash ammo for the inevitable zombie bonanza.
There are a ton of threads out there, most of them years old before the current big ammo buy-fest, and I don't feel that they meet the critera I am looking for here.
This is not a "where to get it" or "best dirt shooting/range ammo" thread. I just want to clarify, this is intended for further feedback on what I have, and further info and recommendations on what to buy. I apologize to add to the hundred threads already out there, but I wanted to keep it current, versus what *was* great and available 5 years ago.
Bit of a catch 22 as I want it cheap enough to facilitate training, but don't want to buy *total* crap to stash for social experimentation with the zombies.
Basically, what I need to get info on is some ranking (best to worst) comparisons of what I currently posess, and if there's anything else CURRENTLY AVAILABLE that may fit the bill a little better than what I have, or worse stuff to stay away from even if it's available.
I'm not opposed to stocking multiple brands (I'm not a brand whore) and set "this" to train and "that" to stash BUT it would be a whole hell of a lot better for me from a financial standpoint if I could get a better handle on what stuff is actually worth hanging on to long term so I can buy heavy on a "priority 1" ammo, and buy a case "here and there" for training/dirt shooting.
Versus guesstimating on whether or not something that's currently cheap is worth buying bulk amounts of, because I'm always hestitant to spend for bulk quantities of unknown-quality ammo because I know bulk ammo is generally mediocre crap. Unfortunately, given the ammo situation at hand, when there's a "good deal" (my ass...) for *anything*, I have to jump on it, because that's *all* there is.
As far as further recommendations:
It kind of has to perfom both tasks (zombie defense, training), and be available as cheap as it gets right now, and in bulk.
I simply cannot afford a buck a round- sorry, I know the TAP 77gr. is awesome, but I'm already about puking blood at the price of ammo. I have some 124+p Speer GD, reserved specifically for my EDC- again, same as with rifle, just can't dish out for it on a bulk basis.
On the same note, I will use steel cased ammo when it is literally the last ammo on earth, and not a second before- just so you know... :laugh:
Also it looks like I will not be going the SBR route for the forseeable future, so no issues to worry about there. We're talking 16" barrel rifle (currently 1:7, mid- potential for 1:9-1:8 twists, or carbine gas), and G17 or M&PC sized handguns.
I mean, obviously we have the drawback of how much the 55-62/115gr FMJ rounds totally suck, and so forth, but you get my point, right?
I'm willing to take a little bit of a hit in the range/accuracy/velocity department *as long as* it will still get the job done reasonably well- I just want to avoid blowing my budget on stuff I "think" is good, when I could have had better stuff for the same $$.... especially as there's some brands I'm just not sure on these days.
I think I have a fairly good idea where things stand, but what I would like input on here is, based on what I curently own (underlined) and the brands that I am currently seeing available in any meaningful quantity (discussed below the underlined), please rate (1 to 5, or whatever method you want) what you would buy more of for solid stash ammo if it was your money so I can be a more informed buyer.
Rifle
PMC 55gr FMJ .223 (heard bad reviews but haven't had a bad experience yet- not sure where to put it)
Independence 55Gr. FMJ 5.56 (Not sure on this stuff? Heard it's rebranded IMI http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/20rds-556-independence-imi-xm193i-55gr-fmj-ammo/cName/223-556-full-metal-jacket)
CBC 55gr. FMJ 5.56 (put it in the "stash" pile)
Fed. XM193 55gr FMJ (put it in the "stash" pile- like a dumbass I shot most of it up over a year ago, so only a couple boxes left. Now it's stupid priced- If I'm going to pay .50-.60+ cents a round I'll dish for IMI...)
Seeing a lot of American Eagle Black Box/ Green Box stuff around in 193 or 855 flavor in the 420rd. ammo can like the Fed Xm855 used to be found in. Not sure whether worth buying or not, having heard the same mixed reviews as PMC?
As far as WWB, I don't trust it at all based on experiences with other round types, so I never bother- apparently their good stuff like Q3131 was pricey to start with anyway...
I generally don't buy UMC- might as well stick with PMC.
I've "heard" good things about Fiochii or Sellier, but no can find, or stupid prices.
Aside from that or premium "defensive" or "match" ammo.... Not much else around aside from what I own. And I can't even find THAT either physically or for .40 cents a round or less. I've almost given up looking online because even if it's a "good" price, the shipping totally kills it.
There was actually some IMI 193/855 I saw on Wideners- but even though it's great ammo, $550 per a case before shipping.... still a bit pricey. I mean it's still FIVE HUNDRED bucks....probably close to 600 after shipping. :eek:
Pistol
Freedom Munitions 115gr FMJ (mix of reman and "new"- put in "training" pile)
PMC 115gr FMJ (same as rifle- not quite sure where to put it. Seems ok...)
CCI/Speer Lawman 115 gr FMJ (put in "stash" pile)
I'd buy 124Gr first if I had the choice but when is that ever available in bulk? :rolleyes:
What about American Eagle red box? Have heard that AE pistol ammo is ok.
Aside from brands I have, and maybe AE/Blazer/Wolf-Tula, 9mm still seems kind of dry...
Saw some IMI 9mm for good price on Wideners. Still 115gr though....
What about Georgia Arms? Have heard good things and their 124 and 147 Gr. is reasonably priced.
What about Federal Bulk 9mm (Red or Blue box)? Have heard it's way underpowered- my foray into .40 seemed to confirm this when some I picked up in WallyWorld barely penetrated a log at 10 yards- in fact I picked a spent round out with my bare fingers that was barely lodged. Have avoided like the plague since...
Thoughts?
Given the climate, I feel the need to belatedly invest in some "put it in a box and forget you own it" stash ammo for the inevitable zombie bonanza.
There are a ton of threads out there, most of them years old before the current big ammo buy-fest, and I don't feel that they meet the critera I am looking for here.
This is not a "where to get it" or "best dirt shooting/range ammo" thread. I just want to clarify, this is intended for further feedback on what I have, and further info and recommendations on what to buy. I apologize to add to the hundred threads already out there, but I wanted to keep it current, versus what *was* great and available 5 years ago.
Bit of a catch 22 as I want it cheap enough to facilitate training, but don't want to buy *total* crap to stash for social experimentation with the zombies.
Basically, what I need to get info on is some ranking (best to worst) comparisons of what I currently posess, and if there's anything else CURRENTLY AVAILABLE that may fit the bill a little better than what I have, or worse stuff to stay away from even if it's available.
I'm not opposed to stocking multiple brands (I'm not a brand whore) and set "this" to train and "that" to stash BUT it would be a whole hell of a lot better for me from a financial standpoint if I could get a better handle on what stuff is actually worth hanging on to long term so I can buy heavy on a "priority 1" ammo, and buy a case "here and there" for training/dirt shooting.
Versus guesstimating on whether or not something that's currently cheap is worth buying bulk amounts of, because I'm always hestitant to spend for bulk quantities of unknown-quality ammo because I know bulk ammo is generally mediocre crap. Unfortunately, given the ammo situation at hand, when there's a "good deal" (my ass...) for *anything*, I have to jump on it, because that's *all* there is.
As far as further recommendations:
It kind of has to perfom both tasks (zombie defense, training), and be available as cheap as it gets right now, and in bulk.
I simply cannot afford a buck a round- sorry, I know the TAP 77gr. is awesome, but I'm already about puking blood at the price of ammo. I have some 124+p Speer GD, reserved specifically for my EDC- again, same as with rifle, just can't dish out for it on a bulk basis.
On the same note, I will use steel cased ammo when it is literally the last ammo on earth, and not a second before- just so you know... :laugh:
Also it looks like I will not be going the SBR route for the forseeable future, so no issues to worry about there. We're talking 16" barrel rifle (currently 1:7, mid- potential for 1:9-1:8 twists, or carbine gas), and G17 or M&PC sized handguns.
I mean, obviously we have the drawback of how much the 55-62/115gr FMJ rounds totally suck, and so forth, but you get my point, right?
I'm willing to take a little bit of a hit in the range/accuracy/velocity department *as long as* it will still get the job done reasonably well- I just want to avoid blowing my budget on stuff I "think" is good, when I could have had better stuff for the same $$.... especially as there's some brands I'm just not sure on these days.
I think I have a fairly good idea where things stand, but what I would like input on here is, based on what I curently own (underlined) and the brands that I am currently seeing available in any meaningful quantity (discussed below the underlined), please rate (1 to 5, or whatever method you want) what you would buy more of for solid stash ammo if it was your money so I can be a more informed buyer.
Rifle
PMC 55gr FMJ .223 (heard bad reviews but haven't had a bad experience yet- not sure where to put it)
Independence 55Gr. FMJ 5.56 (Not sure on this stuff? Heard it's rebranded IMI http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/20rds-556-independence-imi-xm193i-55gr-fmj-ammo/cName/223-556-full-metal-jacket)
CBC 55gr. FMJ 5.56 (put it in the "stash" pile)
Fed. XM193 55gr FMJ (put it in the "stash" pile- like a dumbass I shot most of it up over a year ago, so only a couple boxes left. Now it's stupid priced- If I'm going to pay .50-.60+ cents a round I'll dish for IMI...)
Seeing a lot of American Eagle Black Box/ Green Box stuff around in 193 or 855 flavor in the 420rd. ammo can like the Fed Xm855 used to be found in. Not sure whether worth buying or not, having heard the same mixed reviews as PMC?
As far as WWB, I don't trust it at all based on experiences with other round types, so I never bother- apparently their good stuff like Q3131 was pricey to start with anyway...
I generally don't buy UMC- might as well stick with PMC.
I've "heard" good things about Fiochii or Sellier, but no can find, or stupid prices.
Aside from that or premium "defensive" or "match" ammo.... Not much else around aside from what I own. And I can't even find THAT either physically or for .40 cents a round or less. I've almost given up looking online because even if it's a "good" price, the shipping totally kills it.
There was actually some IMI 193/855 I saw on Wideners- but even though it's great ammo, $550 per a case before shipping.... still a bit pricey. I mean it's still FIVE HUNDRED bucks....probably close to 600 after shipping. :eek:
Pistol
Freedom Munitions 115gr FMJ (mix of reman and "new"- put in "training" pile)
PMC 115gr FMJ (same as rifle- not quite sure where to put it. Seems ok...)
CCI/Speer Lawman 115 gr FMJ (put in "stash" pile)
I'd buy 124Gr first if I had the choice but when is that ever available in bulk? :rolleyes:
What about American Eagle red box? Have heard that AE pistol ammo is ok.
Aside from brands I have, and maybe AE/Blazer/Wolf-Tula, 9mm still seems kind of dry...
Saw some IMI 9mm for good price on Wideners. Still 115gr though....
What about Georgia Arms? Have heard good things and their 124 and 147 Gr. is reasonably priced.
What about Federal Bulk 9mm (Red or Blue box)? Have heard it's way underpowered- my foray into .40 seemed to confirm this when some I picked up in WallyWorld barely penetrated a log at 10 yards- in fact I picked a spent round out with my bare fingers that was barely lodged. Have avoided like the plague since...
Thoughts?