The Winchester Lake City M193 5.56x45mm NATO 55-grain Full Metal Jacket (Winchester part no. WM193DRUM) is loaded to the original M193 specification, the standard 5.56 ball round adopted for the M16 rifle before the heavier, steel-cored M855 replaced it. Unlike M855, M193 carries a plain lead core with no steel penetrator, a straightforward full metal jacket bullet built for reliable feeding and consistent accuracy rather than hard-target penetration. The Lake City headstamp identifies this ammunition as coming from Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, the U.S. military’s primary small-arms ammunition facility. This listing is sold as a massive 14,000-round bulk case, built for high-volume shooters, training programs, and range operators rather than individual range trips.

Key Specifications

• Chambered in .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, and built to the original M193 ball specification.
• The 55-grain bullet is a plain lead-core Full Metal Jacket, without the steel penetrator core found in the heavier M855 loading.
• The Lake City headstamp identifies this as coming from Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, the U.S. military’s primary small-arms ammunition facility.
• This is sold as a 14,000-round bulk case, a volume format built for high-volume shooters and training programs rather than individual range trips.
• Cost works out to about $0.55 per round, competitive bulk pricing for genuine Lake City 5.56 ammunition.
• M193 was the original 5.56 NATO ball specification adopted for the M16, and remains widely trusted for reliable feeding and accuracy.
• Cases are brass, standard for reliable ignition, unlike some steel-cased bulk imports.
• This bulk case format is aimed at clubs, training programs, and range operators buying by the pallet rather than the box.
• It cycles reliably in any rifle chambered in .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, from AR-15-pattern rifles to bolt-action platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between M193 and M855? M193 is a plain lead-core FMJ, the original 5.56 ball specification. M855 (green tip) later added a steel penetrator core for improved hard-target performance.

What does the Lake City headstamp mean? It identifies the ammunition as manufactured at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, the U.S. military’s primary small-arms ammunition facility.

How many rounds come in this case? It’s sold as a 14,000-round bulk case, built for high-volume buyers rather than individual range trips.

Buy the Winchester Lake City M193 5.56x45mm 55gr FMJ, 14,000-Round Case

For clubs, trainers, and high-volume shooters who measure ammunition in cases rather than boxes, genuine Lake City M193 at this scale is hard to beat. Order it from our Winchester lineup at our Lubbock, Texas gun shop and it ships fast to your door, or browse the full rifle ammunition selection for more bulk 5.56 options.