ammo info needed

[fz1boxer]

i came across some IMI 70grain fmj ammo,samson blue box.
can anyone tell me what time period this ammo was sold.
do you have any ballistics info on it as well.
i tried the IMI samson website.
thanks

[Safetyhit]

Never heard of IMI 70 gr. Be interested to see any feedback.

[fz1boxer]

here are a few pics
the neck is annealed
primer sealed
the projectile has a significant cannelure.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/4241/1001228e.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/1001228e.jpg/)
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8696/1001226.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/i/1001226.jpg/)
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1073/1001225t.th.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/1001225t.jpg/)
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1760/1001224j.th.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/1001224j.jpg/)

[Jerry R]

Headstamp pic is a little fuzzy. Is there an 88 stamped on the case head? An 88 on the headstamp (matching the 88 on the ammo box?) is normally year of manufacture.

[fz1boxer]

thanks
yes the headstamp is 88.
ive been into ar's since 1976 and i have seen tons of different ammo over the last 30 years but never any of this.
ive seen lots of samson/IMI its great ammo.
i didnt think anyone was loading anything heavier than 69grn smk in 88 much less for the military.

[556frags]

Is this stuff 5.56 or .223?

[fz1boxer]

Is this stuff 5.56 or .223?

box is marked 223 remington,but alot of the early imi stuff was marked that way

[Iraqgunz]

I am fairly certain that 88 represents the year of manufacture. Maybe the Israelis figured out something it took us a while to realize. Heavier 5.56 bullet more effective??