ammo prices - doubled overnight

[magicHandPuppet]

Asking what kind of bullet to buy is like asking what kind of shoe to wear.  It depends.

For target practice with either weapon, I'd recommend buying inexpensive brands such as the low end PMC, Sellior & Belloit Winchester White Box, etc.  For serious applications - say competition - you'd already be reloading.  For hunting, I'd go with "match" ammo.

For the elusive Zombie or SHTF scenario, you'll want something like the Black Hills you have, or another reputable brand such as Federal or Prvi Partizan "Green Tip." 

Especially for your Sig 556, I'd watch buying factory reloads or Wolf (or any steel cased ammo).  Many of the AR-15 variants have a hard time with Wolf because it uses steel cases.  I'm just starting to reload, but I've been told that the 5.56/.223 is one of the most difficult cartridges to reload and the 5.56 AR-15 variants are extremely picky about ammo.  Many of the factory reloads, for whatever reason, don't meet the standard.

The steel cased ammo works well in some weapons and will barely function in others.  If you try it, you'll find out real quick where your gun is at.  For example, I have a 9mm XD that has about 1 malfunction per 50 rounds of Wolf.  I've shot about 2K rounds through it.  My buddy has the exact same gun, but has shot about 20K rounds through his.  His will eat Wolf.  My Ruger P89/90 also eat Wolf with no problem.

For ammo purchases, I'd try Ammoman.com, Aimsurplus.com, wideners.com, natchezss.com, or Surplusammo.com.  I've done business will all of these companies and found that they reputable.  YMMV.

I appreciate the advice.  I have 1000 rounds of the PMC I bought from the dealer... It was either those or Wolf.  I figured they were good for SHTF, but I guess not... and, I definitely paid too much for them.  Good to have target practice ammo I guess.  I am definitely buying for SHTF.  I want the best penetration possible without sacrificing accuracy.

Also, I am curious about the grain I should buy.  I read that the sig 556 likes a heavier grain.  Looks like the green tips are hard to find right now.  Are all "green tip" rounds filled with a steel core?  thanks!

[magicHandPuppet]

Would someone also please tell me the best SHTF 9mm round?  I am interested in Penetration (rather than "stopping power")

thanks!

[Rusty Shackelford]

Another good place for ammo is Palmetto State Armory - they are slow though.  I've ordered from them twice and they take a couple of weeks to deliver.

You can read all day on ammo types.  The end all and be all of .223 is the Lake City SS109, it's getting real hard to find.  Expect to pay a lot.  I picked up a case of Prvi SS109 right before the election for $420 delivered from Ammoman.  He's now OOS on it.  I'm not that familiar with the SIG.  I know that each AR15 variant has it's own likes and dislikes.

For 9mm, look for +P or HydroShock "type."  Each manufacturer has a different name for it, so just look for their "self-defense" or "tactical" round.  Generally, as long as you buy a 'reputable' brand, you'll be fine, but make sure you buy a single box first to test in your weapon.  Most companies make "target" rounds and then make a tactical round that's better quality (Federal, Winchester, PMC, etc) Some brands/rounds/types don't always function flawlessly in every weapon.  My instructor buddy recommends that you burn a magazine as fast as you can pull the trigger.  If you don't get a malfunction, you're probably ok (you can always get a malfunction for other reasons).

[magicHandPuppet]

thanks for the info, Rusty!

The Sig 556 is actually meant for the 5.56 NATO ammo but it also fires the .223 ammo.  From what I am learning, the 5.56 supposedly packs a little more punch which is why it isn't suited for most AR-15's (as it damages the chrome inside the barrel or "leade")... I am as new as newbie can get, but this is what I am finding out... even though I don't know what all these words me 

I just found the privi green tip 5.56 mm on Widener's and I am going to go ahead and order it.  It's in stock AND cheaper than .223, I guess because it's in less demand.  That's good for me :)

I appreciate your help.  I read that the COR-BON p+ 115 grain was a good self-defense round.  I found some available on sportsmansguide.com which seemed to be priced right.

Another handgun I came across is the FN FiveSeven.  It has some extremely attractive qualities.  But, now I think I should just buy another Sig 556 and another Glock 17 so I have two of everything.  I will probably buy a second shotgun and call it quits after stocking sufficient ammo for each of these.  This is the most expensive part of my preparations I believe.  And, to think I was anti-gun just three months ago.  I have changed my outlook on so many things lately.... I actually hope I won't have to use all of this knowledge but I have a serious feeling that I might someday.  Hopefully it won't be against the brain-eating zombies   

[Rusty Shackelford]

thanks for the info, Rusty!

The Sig 556 is actually meant for the 5.56 NATO ammo but it also fires the .223 ammo.  From what I am learning, the 5.56 supposedly packs a little more punch which is why it isn't suited for most AR-15's (as it damages the chrome inside the barrel or "leade")... I am as new as newbie can get, but this is what I am finding out... even though I don't know what all these words me 

I just found the privi green tip 5.56 mm on Widener's and I am going to go ahead and order it.  It's in stock AND cheaper than .223, I guess because it's in less demand.  That's good for me :)

I appreciate your help.  I read that the COR-BON p+ 115 grain was a good self-defense round.  I found some available on sportsmansguide.com which seemed to be priced right.

Another handgun I came across is the FN FiveSeven.  It has some extremely attractive qualities.  But, now I think I should just buy another Sig 556 and another Glock 17 so I have two of everything.  I will probably buy a second shotgun and call it quits after stocking sufficient ammo for each of these.  This is the most expensive part of my preparations I believe.  And, to think I was anti-gun just three months ago.  I have changed my outlook on so many things lately.... I actually hope I won't have to use all of this knowledge but I have a serious feeling that I might someday.  Hopefully it won't be against the brain-eating zombies   

I'm sort of casual, when I shouldn't be and use .223 and 5.56 interchangeably.  You can always shoot .223 in a 5.56, but never shoot 5.56 in a .223.  It isn't the "load" that is the problem, but the variations in the actual cartridge.  The 5.56 is a military standard and has a thicker casing, it also has a slightly different case length.  If you search in the self-defense, there are some posts that I put on with references that explain this for the .308 vs. 7.62, basically the arguments are the same.  When you are looking at used guns, a lot of time they will show a cartridge in an open chamber with a ruler - that's to demonstrate which caliber the gun "really" is.

[magicHandPuppet]

Gracias Amigo!