Recommend low flash signature 5.56 ammo

[Mean Bone]

I found some PMC X-Tac in bulk (https://www.sgammo.com/product/223-556mm-ammo/1000-round-case-556-pmc-x-tac-xp193-55-grain-fmj-m193-ammo-556x) but reviews say it shoots dirty with a really large fireball (https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/pmc-x-tac-5-56-ammo-lights-up-the-night/).

I've heard IMI has a pretty dim flash signature. Any others?

[ColtSeavers]

Your muzzle device and barrel length have far greater impacts on muzzle flash than ammo choice.

[Evel Baldgui]

Given the current state of ammo availability and price; I would not be concerned with 'flash signature'. Buy what you can :-)

[t1tan]

Given the current state of ammo availability and price; I would not be concerned with 'flash signature'. Buy what you can :-)

x36267475898

[ST911]

I found some PMC X-Tac in bulk (https://www.sgammo.com/product/223-556mm-ammo/1000-round-case-556-pmc-x-tac-xp193-55-grain-fmj-m193-ammo-556x) but reviews say it shoots dirty with a really large fireball (https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/pmc-x-tac-5-56-ammo-lights-up-the-night/). I've heard IMI has a pretty dim flash signature. Any others?

What do you need the 5.56 ammo to do? There are several options loaded with flash limiting chemistry.

[Mean Bone]

I searched the 'net again but was unable to find the picture of the flash from IMI vs PMC from the same weapon at night. The difference was remarkable!

Regarding supply I'd like to add to what I've already got. I didn't get caught short. ;)



What do you need the 5.56 ammo to do? There are several options loaded with flash limiting chemistry.

Need? Practice/defense. Options? That's what I'm looking for. Can you elaborate?

[vicious_cb]

I searched the 'net again but was unable to find the picture of the flash from IMI vs PMC from the same weapon at night. The difference was remarkable!

Regarding supply I'd like to add to what I've already got. I didn't get caught short. ;)




Need? Practice/defense. Options? That's what I'm looking for. Can you elaborate?

Typically you have separate ammo for practice and home defense/duty. Quality defense/duty ammo usually already has flash retardants in them. The ammo you are listing are just practice fodder ammo, putting flash retardants in practice ammo just makes it more expensive.

[Mean Bone]

Geez, guys! Thanks for all the superfluous info but read the post.

Again, besides IMI, are there any other 5.56 using low signature powder? Heck, even .223.

I need names!

Currently, I'm shooting Federal/Frontier 55gr 5.56 with a BCM Mod 0 Compensator (https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcmgunfighter-compensator-mod-0-5-56/).

. . . and yes, I know a compensator is not a flash hider.

[vicious_cb]

Geez, guys! Thanks for all the superfluous info but read the post.

Again, besides IMI, are there any other 5.56 using low signature powder? Heck, even .223.

I need names!

Currently, I'm shooting Federal/Frontier 55gr 5.56 with a BCM Mod 0 Compensator (https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcmgunfighter-compensator-mod-0-5-56/).

. . . and yes, I know a compensator is not a flash hider.

"Just shut up and give me the info" typically wont get you the response you want.

[Mean Bone]

"Just shut up and give me the info" typically wont get you the response you want.

Apparently, neither will just posting a simple question.

[RHINOWSO]

NOPE!! KEEP IT POLITE OR DONT POST AT ALL.

VOODOOCHILD

[Five_Point_Five_Six]

Apparently, neither will just posting a simple question.

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=low+flash+5.56+ammo

[jsbhike]

ADI (Australian) ammo is allegedly loaded with their AR2208(known as Varget here) which is single base powder and typically produces less muzzle flash in addition to being very temperature insensitive.

Ditching the hybrid brake for a full on flash suppressor should help too.

[Mean Bone]

Five_Point_Five_Six, such a simple solution!

jsbhike, I looked that up, thanks! Yeah, you're probably right about the hybrid.

ColtSeavers, most likely will take your advice and just change to a good flash hider. Barrel's 16" and don't plan on changing that.

And RHINOWSO . . . thanks for such creative input. I'm sure you felt the need to point that out for my benefit. You sparked in me an overwhelming desire to improve!

HA!

[26 Inf]

Select a flash suppressor from one of the better ones tested: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/ar-15-flash-hider-shootout/ Hint: https://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPFH-556L

Then worry about your ammo. Simply put, you want something that burns the powder before it leaves the barrel, so barrel length is an issue as well as propellant design.

To me the easy switch for HD/SD/Duty is Hornady TAP in .223 versus 5.56.

Hornady® 223 Rem TAP® loads are a unique offering to law enforcement professionals that combine reliable functioning with consistent performance, low muzzle signature, and exceptional accuracy in cannelured and crimped 55, 60 and 62 gr. bullets, and a 75 gr. load offering match accuracy.

If you are married to 5.56, this one is designed to maximize powder burn in SBR's:

Hornady's new 75-grain TAP SBR round was the result of more than a year-and-a-half of painstaking research, development, and experimentation.

And since most of the problems with firing a standard AR round from an SBR are caused by inefficient powder burn, the propellant formulation was a key focus of the project. "We designed a powder solution from the ground up specifically for this application," says Quinlan, who adds that the formula was tweaked numerous times to make it even more efficient.


Essentially any LE Ammo from a major manufacturer has flash reduction as a consideration, again, the easy switch is .223 versus 5.56 IMO.

[Mean Bone]

Thanks for the links!

[Voodoochild]

If you can't contribute in a non ass hat way then just dont..

[3 AE]

Here's the Speer Gold Dot .223 62 gr. and 55 gr. SP. The price on them was $65.00/100 back in January.

https://www.bonefroggunclub.com/collections/ammunition/products/223-rem-62gr-speer-duty-rifle-gold-dot-soft-point-24445sp?variant=3600805789722
https://www.bonefroggunclub.com/collections/ammunition/products/223-rem-55gr-speer-duty-rifle-gold-dot-soft-point-24446

[davidjinks]

I was also going to recommend the Speer as well as the Federal Tactical Rifle line.


Here's the Speer Gold Dot .223 62 gr. and 55 gr. SP. The price on them was $65.00/100 back in January.

https://www.bonefroggunclub.com/collections/ammunition/products/223-rem-62gr-speer-duty-rifle-gold-dot-soft-point-24445sp?variant=3600805789722
https://www.bonefroggunclub.com/collections/ammunition/products/223-rem-55gr-speer-duty-rifle-gold-dot-soft-point-24446

[ColtSeavers]

ColtSeavers, most likely will take your advice and just change to a good flash hider. Barrel's 16" and don't plan on changing that.

Sorry for not catching on to the fact that your signature has your rifle description in it, I don't really pay attention to those things.

A dedicated flash hider alone would definately tame a great deal of muzzle flash. Look up the truth about guns' flash hider shootout 1 & 2.

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/ar-15-flash-hider-shootout/

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/ar-15-flash-hiding-test-2/

[Mean Bone]

Just ordered 100 rounds each of the Speer ammo (a buck a round). And I found that they still had some 5.56 62GR FEDERAL TACTICAL BONDED (XM556SBCT3) which is supposed the be the Federal 62 grain Bonded Softpoint FBI Equivalent Load - HERE (https://www.bonefroggunclub.com/collections/ammunition/products/556-62gr-federal-tactical-bonded-xm556sbct3) for $125/100 rounds so I went ahead and bit the bullet (sorry) and ordered a hundred of those.

I'll check the flash signature with these before deciding whether I want to change muzzle devices.

Thanks, guys!

[1168]

If flash is a major concern, I can’t see why you would even consider staying with a muzzle device that is not a dedicated flashhider. Outside of proper duty ammo such as already discussed, shoot a few types of ball ammo side by side at night and pick one. I haven’t noticed any issues with XM193, but AE223 is godawful, just to use a couple examples.

[ST911]

I have that BCM GF comp on one of my guns and it's standard on a few dozen guns at a place. It does a decent job at flash suppression, better than an A2 and has it's own signature. These guns shoot mostly very high quality 5.56 loads with flash reduced powder from 16" barrels. The same ammo shot from some guns with Vortex G6A2 hiders has virtually no flash as it's a dedicated flash hider. Even bad ammo is pretty low signature from the Vortex.

So, it's about ammo, barrel and burn, and the hider. Figure out how you want to balance those variables.


Just ordered 100 rounds each of the Speer ammo (a buck a round). And I found that they still had some 5.56 62GR FEDERAL TACTICAL BONDED (XM556SBCT3) which is supposed the be the Federal 62 grain Bonded Softpoint FBI Equivalent Load - for $125/100 rounds so I went ahead and bit the bullet (sorry) and ordered a hundred of those.

I'll check the flash signature with these before deciding whether I want to change muzzle devices.

Thanks, guys

The Speer 62 GDSP (24445SP) is pretty low flash in general, virtually none through the 16" vortex equipped barrels, and typically MOA or better in good barrels.