Anybody been using Mil-Spec bullets from Wideners, esp. 5.56 62gr?
http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|281|727
Haven't used Mil-Spec before. Prices for these new components are comparable to pull-down.
Any info appreciated.
If those are IMI (and I think they are), I've used them, and they are good.
Checked closer, they aren't IMI, but they are identical, and still a good choice.
For the price, they're a really good great deal.
Quote from: Nickle on December 20, 2007, 02:29:55 PM
If those are IMI (and I think they are), I've used them, and they are good.
Checked closer, they aren't IMI, but they are identical, and still a good choice.
For the price, they're a really good great deal.
I think they're PPU.
Widener's uses the manufacturer name as the begining of their item number, and it starts with MB.
That's how I figured out they weren't IMI, because their IMI stuff starts with IMI.
I just checked Prvi Partisan's website, and I think it very well could be their product.
If so, it will be good, as Prvi Partisan's stuff is pretty decent stuff.
Got some of the 55 grain pills and they seem to be really good quality. Nicely formed base with no lead extruded. I've loaded up a couple hundred and am taking them out for testing later. Will post the results.
Also bought 500 of the M80 and 500 173 grain "sniper" bullets. Have not loaded any yet, but they also look like quality.
I've used a truckload of Mil-spec bullets, many from Wideners and somew from Pat's Reloading.
I usually try to measure the bases and group them together, sometimes when I'm really bored I'll weigh them and group them like that.
This seems to even them out, otherwise sometimes you get that flyer that isn't always the shooter.
These we're talking about aren't surplus (usually pulled), the "Mil-Spec" is the product name. They're new production.
I've used the decent pulled ones that Widener's has, and I have to agree with you, they are good, and they do need to be sorted. Some major differences in the M80 Ball bullets.
Hooah!- Mil Spec bullets arrived, 62 gr. FMJ lead core, nonmagnetic.
Bullets are packaged in 500-piece vacuum-packed polypropylene pouches, no labeling. Pouches are packaged in a corrugated box, of the type of corrugated board that's not made stateside; it's rather crude and may even be recycled material. Labeling on corrugated box has been razor bladed off, so the bullet manufacturer remains unknown, but box suggests 'import'. Invoice offers no clue as to manufacturer either. OK, inquiring minds must know, I'll call 'em and ask.
Bright, clean bullets, no oxidation, brand new appearance. Lead bases are of uniform geometry, i.e. no unevenness/asymmetry or flash visible. Just what you'd like, a consistent surface. In contrast to other bulk 5.56 bullets sold as "seconds" which have plenty of base flash and asymmetry.
In two weeks I'll do weight and diameter measurements, will share results. Also let folks know how well they shoot.
First impression is extremely positive.
I'd be willing to look at their 30 cal offerings too from what I've seen so far.
Shot about 80 or so of the 55 grain Widener's "mil-spec" bullets this weekend and they ran fine, using mixed HS brass and 25.2 grains of H335 with the CCI 400 primer (still waiting on some CCI 41 mil spec primers). Held group with Remington factory 55 grain MC at 50 meters (didn't have a longer range to test) and functioned flawlessly. Runout in the bullets is minimal, as is the weight variation. Weighed about 25 or so and the variance was about .2grains plus-or-minus over the lot, with most falling right on 55 grains.
Update: Shot the 55 grain "mil spec" bullets from Widener's at the Jan. 5-6 AS in Davilla and they performed really well. Nice, tight groups, when I was able to shoot nice, tight groups that is. No flyers that I could tell that weren't my fault. 300-400 rounds without a hitch. Had some groups that were just ragged holes on the sighters. Too bad I couldn't do the same on the 4th stage AQT targets! Darn Fred and his making them low contrast! ;D