BH "Red Box" 55 gr. FMJ question:

[von Schulenberg]

Once in a great while, I purchase one or two 50 round boxes of this ammo at my local Gander Mountain. I tried searching previous posts to find more information on this ammo, but to no avail.

It's part of Black Hills "Red Box" line of newly manufactured ammo. It uses a 55 gr. FMJ bullet (not sure if it's boat tailed or not) with a knurled cannelure and annealed Lake City '07 brass with NATO headstamps. I also noticed the same "purple" primer sealant that is common to Federal LC M-193 ball. I cannot say for sure if the primers are crimped, but I've never had one blow out and seize the action of my Mini-14 from the few hundred rounds or so of it that I've fired.

My question is this: Does this particular ammo meet M-193 specifications, or is it just standard 55 grain ball assembled with mil-spec components? I would call Black Hills myself to confirm this, but it's the the 4th of July. :supergrin: I appreciate any information you have to offer, and thank you in advance.

[Boris Bush]

It more than likely meets military speed, but the loaded cartridge will be .223 spec.

The difference will be dimensional, not ballistic.

[von Schulenberg]

Boris,

I was pondering the same thing, whether or not these were made with a "commercial" .223 Remington leade in mind. What makes things even stranger, however, is that the ammo in question has the same OAL and distance from case mouth to bullet tip as Winchester Q3131, so I can only hazard a guess that the 55 gr. bullets of the Black Hills rounds will engage the rifling at the same point as the latter in a 5.56mm chamber.

[Skintop911]

SAAMI ammo, standard commercial velocities. Not M193/NATO, but often identified as such. Hornady bullet, but I can't find the p/n.

In my experience, the very best load of its type produced. Recommended without caveat or qualification.

[von Schulenberg]

Skintop911,

If I had to go by looks, I'd say it's a Hornady 2267 (55 gr. FMJBT). I cannot say for sure, but I'd also hazard a guess that the primers are softer than mil-spec.

For what it is, I do have to agree that it's some of the finest ammo I've ever fired. It's a shame BH doesn't market its own M193 ball to complement its Mk262 OTM line. The quality would probably rival the best offerings of Federal and Winchester.

Thanks again to everyone for offering their input.

[Kilroy]

Not everything is in the catalog. If the order is large enough, they'll build to suit, as long as it remains within their own stringent quality requirements.

[SIGShooter]

It is a FMJBT bullet.

If you call BH they will more than answer any and all of your questions without a doubt. Amazing customer service!