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Originally Posted by clr8ter

Seems like the people who know nothing about guns, but "have to have one now, for what reason I don't know", are showing up. Internet research is their friend.

I've noticed that most of them just want to know the resale value.

[SSGN_Doc]

Originally Posted by zack02

So can civilians buy 5.56 ammo? And thanks for the responses. Much appreciated.

Yes and no. Sale of the actual ammo was restricted many years ago. The actual stuff that is made for the military and meets the standards is not sold directly to civilians. Stuff that is done as over runs has cosmetic defects or fails to meet the exact standards can be sold to civilians. This is where people will see an "X" in front of the military designation for a given round. For example Federal (the company that currently runs the government contract for ammo produced at the Lake City plant) will release lots of XM193 (55 gr FMJ) and XM855 (Green tipped FMJ penetrator rounds), that were not picked up for the contract purchase. They will release some in boxes marked with the XM designation, and others make it into their American Eagle line of ammo. The XM versions use military componenets, but certain lots may not meet accuracy, velocity, or standard deviation criteria for the contract specifications. They may have brass that didn't meet annealing standards, or has tarnish spots or other cosmetic defects. So it may not be quite as hot or accurate as the stuff that makes the cut, but it is usually fine for plinking, and training and often is still at a higher standard than some other commercial ammo that doesn't need to meet a contract standard.

[CHLChris]

I took it that the OP was asking if mere civilians were allowed to buy such ray-gun ammunition that only trained government operators should be allowed to possess.

I hope I'm wrong.

[JonM]

if i was wanting to do some armor penetration i sure wouldnt use a 223/556 green tip.

there are much better calibers like 30-06 300winmag 338 lapua 458Lott 50bmg etc. pretty much any other round for rifles out there dramatically outperforms 223/556.

if im being shot at with a rifle 556/223 is what i hope they are using as its pretty aweful at penetrating cover regardless of bullet design.

[SSGN_Doc]

A .30-30 will defeat most soft body armor. So, it's not like the ability didn't exist before. Just not in the 5.56 at the ranges desired at that point in the Cold War for the armor of the time.

[zack02]

What if I want to take coyotes and white tail with a 5.56 from 50-450 yards ? What grain should I use

[SSGN_Doc]

I limit my shots on 'yotes to 250-300yds, because the vitals are small.

With a .223 hunting load I would limit shots on deer to even closer shots and use a bonded soft point or hollow point bullet in 64-75gr If your rifling twist can stabilize the 75 grainers. A 1:9 twist should easily stabilize up to 68 gr bullets and some will handle 75 grain bullets while some won't.

[c3shooter]

Zack, go buy a pack of small paper plates. Dessert plates. They are about 5 inches across.

Now, at what range can you HIT- with every shot- that plate- using the firing position you will be using in the field? That plate is about the size of the kill zone on a deer. Coyote is about 3-4 inches. Try that and tell us how you feel about 450 yd shot. How good are you at reading wind, and estimating range, and speed at which a moving animal is moving (leading the target)

[zack02]

Gotcha ok thanks I'll give it a try .im new to AR's and trying to gather as much info on 5.56 as I can

[ScottA]

Originally Posted by clr8ter

Seems like the people who know nothing about guns, but "have to have one now, for what reason I don't know", are showing up. Internet research is their friend.

This forum is internet research. I am glad they are here asking questions.