Any Ammo to AVOID in an M&P 10?

[2thdoc14]

I was told today that I shouldn't shoot soft point or lead tipped rounds, as they will tear up the chrome barrel. This is from a guy who I would consider an expert in ARs. I have some copper PMC and some Winchester with a small lead tip.

Thoughts?

I am going to range shoot with this and then also white tail hunt.

THX

 

[Bat Guano]

???

The M&P 10 barrel isn't chromed. It's a melonite finish.

Not that it would matter.

Find yourself another "expert".

Nice looking rifle. Which Leupold is that on it?

 

[2thdoc14]

Thanks Bat Guano...Ha...love that name!

This guy knows a ton about ARs and has been into them for a long time. Im glad I asked, cuz apparently he doesn't know S&W!

That is a VX Patrol 3-9. I have the 1.5-4 on my 223 as well. Not super expensive, but I like the reticle and the glass.

 

[MistWolf]

Soft point or lead tipped bullets won't hurt a chrome lined barrel

 

[Little Creek]

I know Jacketed 308 bullets will not hurt any 308 rifle barrel whether it is chrome lined or not. Whether the bullet is FMJ, JHP or Pointed soft point, etc. has nothing to do with it. Your expect is off the reservation on this. I have a VX-R Patrol 1.25-4 on an M4. I like the illuminated SPC reticle. What size groups (with what ammo) have you been able to shoot with your M&P 10 and the VX-R Patrol 3-9 scope?

 

[webfarmer]

???

The M&P 10 barrel isn't chromed. It's a melonite finish.

Not that it would matter.

Find yourself another "expert".

Nice looking rifle. Which Leupold is that on it?

Agree with everything except the melonite - S&W themselves say it is a Nitrite / Melonite 'like" coating. Thought I was buying the melonite barrel but it appears not. Still love the gun though

 

[LVSteve]

The only thing I worry about with lead tipped projectiles in a semi auto is feeding. Sometimes they will appear to feed OK but the process has mashed up the tip. This does not improve accuracy. I suggest you cycle a few rounds to see if any damage occurs. Hopefully S&W have given the rifle benign feed ramps. This isn't always the case with military semis.

 

[copemech]

I have no issues with soft or hollow, that is BS!

My gun did not like cheap steel cased stuff like Tula, Wolf and such, but that seemed more a gas issue and has been addressed. They like Merican made Brass and then you will have to find your guns happy spot, seems mostly in the 168 gr range for most, but you may find decent results with 150 stuff!

I believe Federal 168 OTM is a good start for accuracy and general use.

 

[HYRYSC]

I have to agree with Bat Guano, you need to find another expert. The reason that they even bother with chrome lining is to make a barrel more resistant to wear and tear than the base metal. I would ask your expert for some hard facts and case studies.

I have shot tons of soft point ammo out of my AR's. Like LVSteve mentioned though, if you cycle a round and it messes up the soft lead tip, accuracy will be diminished. With that said, I don't think you could mash up a lead tip bad enough to make you miss the vitals in a deer.