Win M855 retail ammo - mini review

**markm** · 12-17-22, 07:50

I got a box of this from a coworker. I've also seen the same packages in Sportsmans Warehouse.

I started to pull the ammo apart to do a primer substitute test, but the primers in this ammo look nothing like the CCI 41s I've been struggling with so I didn't feel the test was worth the hassle.

This stuff looks like regular M855 production and not like XM193. I was surprised to see the neck sealant and the crimp is stout. XM193 often has a weak crimp and no sealant.

The ammo has about 27.2 gr of ball powder which is on par with full powered military stuff.

We'll shoot some for velocity and accuracy today since we're fouling the bolt gun with TAC anyhow.

**ST911** · 12-17-22, 09:13

The last year of that load has been interesting. Chrono'ed some from a 16" at 3068avg, ES39, SD14, shot <2"/100. Trajectory GTG with other loads it needs to work with.

**sinister** · 12-17-22, 09:36

What headstamp are the cases? It may help to identify the plant.

WCC = Winchester Cartridge Corporation (military production, Olin, East Alton, IL)
WRA = Winchester Repeating Arms (Olin)
WMA = Winchester Military Ammunition (Oxford, Mississippi)
LC = Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

**ST911** · 12-17-22, 09:45

Originally Posted by sinister

What headstamp are the cases? It may help to identify the plant.

WCC = Winchester Cartridge Corporation (military production, Olin, East Alton, IL)
WRA = Winchester Repeating Arms (Olin)
WMA = Winchester Military Ammunition (Oxford, Mississippi)
LC = Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

All mine, LC 22

**markm** · 12-17-22, 15:39

I forgot some of the "deets". LC 22 brass headstamp.

Pretty decent ammo.

Chrono at muzzle from Rem 700 with Magnetospeed:

Damn near MOA. I don't even get troubled when I shoot OTMs this group size.

**ST911** · 12-17-22, 18:10

Originally Posted by markm

Chrono at muzzle from Rem 700 with Magnetospeed:

Damn near MOA. I don't even get troubled when I shoot OTMs this group size.

Barrel length?

**markm** · 12-17-22, 21:52

Originally Posted by ST911

Barrel length?

20" rem 700. Sorry. Almost everything we chrono in .223 is thru the same barrel for real comparability.

**Gunnar da Wolf** · 12-17-22, 22:32

I’ve been ignoring that load because it’s @ $12/ box around here and historically M855 has been “Meh!OA”, but if the accuracy is that good I may have to pick up some to try.

Thanks!

**georgeib** · 12-18-22, 06:27

Originally Posted by markm

20" rem 700. Sorry. Almost everything we chrono in .223 is thru the same barrel for real comparability.

I'm curious what SD you get from a 16" barrel. Groups would be interesting as well. Impressive numbers and results from the 700 though.

**ST911** · 12-18-22, 07:46

Originally Posted by markm

20" rem 700. Sorry. Almost everything we chrono in .223 is thru the same barrel for real comparability.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Gunnar da Wolf

I’ve been ignoring that load because it’s @ $12/ box around here and historically M855 has been “Meh!OA”, but if the accuracy is that good I may have to pick up some to try. Thanks!

It's good for 855.

Originally Posted by georgeib

I'm curious what SD you get from a 16" barrel. Groups would be interesting as well. Impressive numbers and results from the 700 though.

Farther above: 3068avg, ES39, SD14, shot <2"/100. Gun was a 16" Geissele Super Duty, 1/7 w/ LPVO, 5rds.