Hey everyone.. I searched but I couldn't find anything specific about the PMC "X-TAC" stuff so I figured I'd ask.

 

1. Is this stuff any good?

 

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx? ... roupid=156

 

2. Can I shoot it at cherry ridge? From what I've read steel core does not mean AP right?

 

Thanks in advance!

From what I've read steel core does not mean AP right?

 

Don't know how CR views it, but you are correct in that the Feds do not view SS109 bullets as armor piercing.

 

I bought 200 rounds of this to try, but haven't made it to the range. I believe that PMC, while a S. Korean company, has ammo manufacturing facilities here in the states. In case this matters to anyone, this ammo is made in Korea.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

SS109/M855 is not considered armor piercing. Also, you're shooting at paper - not steel. While SS109 isn't armor piercing, it will do a number on steel targets. Either way, there are no issues shooting it at CR.

 

I've only shot about 40 rounds of it so far and don't have an opinion yet, but in general, I've been very happy with PMC. Just make sure your AR is chambered for 5.56.

 

ETA: That is a super price btw. It's generally hard to find brass cased .223 at that price let alone 5.56.

No, steel core does not mean armor piercing. I would think tungsten/depleted uranium tipped/sabot rounds would be considered AP. M855 will dimple 1/2" 500 Brinell steel at a 100 yards.... my 7.62x54R steel core ammo outta the mosin puts little tiny ballpoint pen "ball" sized dings in the surface too. If you hit the edge of the target it will take a small chunk off. If you shoot soft steel with these bullets it'll crater the heck out of it or pass clean through. If you are shooting paper it shouldn't matter, but I guess there is more of a concern with fire starting from possible sparks.

Yea, the round used by the military to engage light armored targets is known as M995, which has a tungsten carbide tip. The other ball ammunition (M193 and M855 most prominently) do not have AP capabilities (in the traditional sense).

 

As sirsloop and Caine pointed out, the reason why steel core bullets are frowned upon is because they *can* damage backstops, and they do have a higher probability of starting a fire because they spark more easily.

Hey everyone thanks for the responses! Very helpful information. I think I'll order some and try it out. Expect a range report in a few weeks!

Behold! Range report.

 

The ammo came quickly from AIM, and I went up to CR for a little outing. The ammo in question is PMC X-TAC 62gr FMJ, and I brought some Remington UMC from Dick's for comparison. Despite my own shooting, the gun seemed to like the PMC as well as or better than the (more expensive) Remington UMC 55gr. Frank was kind enough to chrono both loads, which clocked in at:

 

PMC X-TAC 62gr

 

3032 fps

3074

3018

 

Remington UMC 55gr

 

3077 fps

3021

 

That's out of a 20" AR-15

 

Here is the group-o-the-day. 5 rounds PMC X-TAC 62gr @ 100yds. Chapstick for scale against my home-made target.

I think I would've looked a little harder to find something to show group size.

 

Nice group! Never been a fan of UMC personally. The one time I bought a box I thought it shot dirtier than PMC.. and PMC ain't exactly the cleanest shooting ammo around.

I think I would've looked a little harder to find something to show group size.

 

fiiiiiiine I'll be like every other chud on arfcom and use a quarter

Considering the group you got, a dime wouldn't have have been bad to use either. Good shooting.

I think I would've looked a little harder to find something to show group size.

 

 

Hey at least this picture doesn't suggest a lack of pants. lol. Lack of something else perhaps. lol.

Guys, guys. Come now! Colin is a professional musician. :violin: I'm not talking rock n roll neither unless Bach is rock to you... :shock: Maybe he actually WORKS for Wicked. :shifty:

Guys, guys. Come now! Colin is a professional musician. :violin: I'm not talking rock n roll neither unless Bach is rock to you... :shock: Maybe he actually WORKS for Wicked. :shifty:

 

hahaha I spent my undergrad as a music major making fun of the theater kids

 

I'm as embarassed as I should be but here's my excuse IT WAS FREE

Nice shooting! Glad the ammo works good too.