MEN 7.62 vs Federal XM80C

[markm]

Pappabear and I have been running some factory ammo out of his LMT MWS recently, and we got to chrono MEN and XM80c last weekend.

We'd noticed dope required to hit the steel at 640 yards was SIGNIFICANTLY less than that need for the MEN ammo. Chronograph results showed why....

MEN shot at 2535 FPS with an SD of 9. (five shot string)

XM80c shot at 2693 FPS with an SD of 10. (five shot string) 158 FPS faster.

Both ammo shoots just outside of MOA in the gas gun. The MEN brass is superb. The primer pockets are snug and smooth when reloaded. XM80c brass, unlike the Lake City LR brass, is pretty crappy. The primer pockets are pretty loose after the first firing, and you have the crimp to deal with too.

Even though the MEN is milder, it's a nicer round. I'm not a fan of the bi metal bullet in XM80c. It shoots fine, but I prefer a gilding FMJ.

[bfoosh006]

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[markm]

I ended up pulling some of the XM80 LC brass out of the scrap bucket to use for sub sonics. Some of the pockets were decent, but they were inconsistent. The MEN brass is so much nicer.

[eightmillimeter]

I have not tried their 308 but I'm sitting on a small pallet of MEN 556 and I have been very impressed vs XM193. The 556 brass is also superb.

[Kdubya]

I have not tried their 308 but I'm sitting on a small pallet of MEN 556 and I have been very impressed vs XM193. The 556 brass is also superb.

If you're looking to make that small pallet a little bit larger, Primary Arms has 510 rd. cases of MEN 5.56 on sale. I haven't shot any of this stuff, but have heard good things. At this price I picked up a case to see what all the noise is about.

http://www.primaryarms.com/mtmen556acs/p/mtmen556acs/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_content=SLOT_13&utm_campaign=16-10-Ad3_Harvest_Sale&_bta_tid=018670770776000635755555068632696030406409011456216143184224981082858833611296531535380