The Hornady Frontier 5.56 NATO 55-grain M193 Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Brass 50-round box is a full-pressure centerfire rifle cartridge engineered specifically for high-volume training, tactical carbine drills, and competitive target shooting in 5.56 NATO AR-15 platforms and modern sporting rifles. A primary friction point when running budget practice ammunition in 5.56 NATO gas systems is under-pressurized commercial loading, which leads to short-stroking, fail-to-eject stoppages, and erratic velocity spreads. Hornady resolves this operational vulnerability by loading this Frontier round to true M193 military specifications, ensuring full gas-system backpressure, positive bolt cycling, and clean brass extraction under demanding firing schedules.
The technical advantage centers on military-grade manufacturing precision combined with a non-magnetic lead-core projectile. Produced at the legendary Lake City Army Ammunition Plant using military loading machinery, this cartridge launches its 55-grain M193 FMJ bullet at a blistering muzzle velocity of 3,240 FPS from a 20-inch test barrel. Mechanically, the boat-tail FMJ design provides flat downrange trajectories and predictable windage drift. Because the projectile features a 100% lead core enclosed in a drawn copper jacket with zero steel components, it is entirely non-magnetic—making it fully compliant at indoor and outdoor shooting ranges that strictly ban magnetic or steel-core M855 penetration rounds.
Slinging its 55-grain M193 FMJ bullet at 3,240 FPS, this military-spec load is optimized for flawless mechanical function across direct-impingement and piston-driven 5.56 NATO rifles. Assembled in military-grade, factory-annealed reloadable brass cases with sealed Boxer primers, it offers superior neck elasticity to resist splits under rapid semi-automatic bolt slamming. The sealed primer pocket and case mouth prevent moisture ingress during field transport, while the clean-burning propellant minimizes carbon fouling inside gas ports, bolt carrier groups, and lower receivers.
Key Benefits
- True M193 Military Spec Loading: Delivers full 5.56 NATO pressure to guarantee reliable gas-system cycling and bolt lock-back.
- Lake City Army Plant Production: Manufactured using military-grade equipment and stringent quality control protocols.
- 100% Non-Magnetic Construction: Lead core with copper jacket allows unrestricted use at ranges that prohibit steel-core M855 ammo.
- Sealed Annealed Brass Casings: Weatherproof primer sealant and case neck annealing protect against moisture and extend case reloadability.
Technical Specification
- Ballistics: 5.56x45mm NATO | 3,240 FPS Muzzle Velocity (20" Barrel) | Full-Pressure M193 Military Profile
- Projectile: 55 Grain | Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) M193 Spec | Lead Core | Non-Magnetic Copper Jacket
- Case/Primer: Lake City Annealed Reloadable Brass Case | Sealed Non-Corrosive Boxer Primed | Clean-Burning Propellant
- Logistics: 50 Rounds Per Box | Hornady Frontier Series
- Dimensions: 5.56 NATO Geometry | AR-15 & Modern Sporting Rifle Configuration | SKU: FR2005
- Application: High-Volume Target Practice, Tactical Drills, Range Training, and Match Preparation
- Standards: US Military M193 Spec Compliant | SAAMI & NATO Pressure Benchmarks
When dependable M193 performance, consistent cycling, and military-specification manufacturing matter, choose Hornady Frontier 5.56 NATO 55gr M193 FMJ Brass Ammo 50Rds from SMKW, your trusted source for premium ammunition, firearms accessories, and shooting gear.
