Head stamp

[Jim]

I got some .223 brass that's marked 'M193' with the date '08'. Anybody got any idea what this is?

[wiljen]

Federal made XM193 as sold through AIM Surplus awhile back. Should be good brass.

[MtGun44]

Never seen that as a headstamp. US mil brass is marked with a plant
and year like LC 99 or WCC 06. LC is Lake City arsenal in east KC area, WCC
is Winchester.

M193 is the spec for Vietnam era 55gr FMJ US military ammo in 5.56 NATO, but
it is normally not seen as a headstamp.

I have some XM193 made at Lake City, but it was marked a few years out of date
when shipped, I presumed it was old brass that couldn't be used for the military
since the headstamp date did not reflect the delivery or contract year that was
current. I think once the brass is a few years out of date and unloaded it has
to be gotten rid of via other channels outside of the US military. That XM193 (X
may imply it did not really meet M193 specs) was only on the box, headstamps
were LCC 98 or similar.

[JIMinPHX]

I found a bunch of that M193 headstamp brass out in the desert a few months ago. It seems like OK brass.

M-193 is the military spec for 55-grain FMJ 3250fps +/- 40fps. It's the stuff that is supposed to be used in the older 1:12 twist M-16. It's still in use today, but it has largely been replaced by the newer M-855 62gr 3020fps ammo that works well in the faster twists & has a composite core.

It's unusual to see M193 as a headstamp. I've only seen it recently & only as fired brass. I haven't seen the box it comes in.