[elb]

Back in 97 I was heading for Saudi Arabia for an all expenses paid year-long trip arranged by the travel agents at the USAF's Personnel Center.

At that time, was lots of talk that a certain presidential administration was going to make things tougher on gun owners by taxing ammo more heavily, putting markers in reloading powder, and things of that nature. Before I departed, I took advantage of several sales and bought 9mm FMJ in bulk and stashed it away for my return. I am still living off that stash (didn't get nearly enough time to shoot until I retired recently).

One good deal I bought at the time was an overrun of Federal ammo produced for the DoD. It is in plain white boxes of 50, marked 9mm Ball M882, looks just like what I used when qualifying with the M-9. Head Stamped FC 96 with the NATO standardization symbol, which I believe indicates it was produced in by Federal Cartridge in 1996.

My question is what is the actual bullet weight of this ammo? It is not marked on the box. Googling produces two different answers - 112grains, and 124 grains. I believe 112 grains is correct, since I have found Army Tech Manual from 1994 that specifies 112 grains, and Olive-drab.com replicates that info, but there are a number of other sites that list it as 124 grains.

Anyone know for sure? Would appreciate it.
elb

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. You know I could be wrong on this, but I seem to remember something about the bullet weight being variable so long as the respective velocities met certain range standards. I do believe that the FC headstamped M882 is 112-grs. Again I could be wrong on the requirements allowing for a slight range of bullet weights for M882.

Best.

 

[pff]

Now y'all have me wondering about something.....

Some time back I bought a few cases of Winchester whitebox (USA) and in one of them the brass had a NATO stamp. Think I'll pull a couple this afternoon and weigh them. I just figured the brass was an overrun or didn't quite meet spec.

If there's anything unusual I'll set up the 33 and clock a few.


Regards,

Pat

 

[elb]

If I hadn't already packed up all my reloading stuff in preparation for a move, I'd get my bullet puller and scale out and just measure them myself. I am pretty sure 112 grains is the correct anwer. Not hugely important, I just use this ammo for practice and fun, but I now keep more detailed records than I use to and it bugs me to not know the answer for sure.

Thx all.

elb

 

[jonnyc]

I thought all NATO-spec 9mm ball was 124 grain. If true, the NATO mark should indicate it as such.
I'll have to ask my 9mm expert friends.