Palmetto has Federal xm855 and american eagle xm855cs on a pretty good deal. I can't figure out what the difference between them.

I think the cs suffix indicates that it was either part of a special contract or for some reason the govt rejected it (didn't meet qc)

I read somewhere else that cs was for case as in loose and not in a can. Any difference between federal and american eagle? Both are lake city brass.

If it's rejected it will have an X prefix. XM855 for instance.


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I picked up some XM855 that was rejected for not having an even green stripe on the tip, another because the inspector didn't like the look of the heat treating.
Never had any problems with it.

Correct...the suffix is to indicate how it's packed.

Good to know. I've read somewhere that loose ammo (federal/lake City) is typically a worse grade than boxed ammo. True?

I actually called and talked to someone at Federal. He informed me that the cs, indicates the way its packed. Also, both are the same, Lake city is owned by the US government, but run by Federal. He also informed me that it is all made on the same machines. So if the Government orders 500,000 rounds, federal may make 1,000,000 incase something is wrong, does not pass inspection, has a dent, or anything.

On that note, if the dent is small on the shoulder radius of a 5.56mm/ .223 round, is it generally safe to shoot?

Well, apply your own judgment based on the situation, of course ... but yes, I will shoot ammo with small dents in the shoulder. It’s the only way to get them out!

glad I'm not the only one.