Is AAC Ammo Any Good? Our Ammo Experts Tell You Everything You Need to Know About This Ammo Maker
After scouring the internet and speaking with other ammunition experts, we’re ready to give our honest opinion on America’s Ammunition Company (AAC; not to be confused with Advanced Armament Company) ammo. In this AAC ammo review, we list the pros and cons, common problems, how it compares to other brands, what cartridges are available, where it’s made, and why it’s so inexpensive. Once you finish reading, you’ll know if AAC ammo is the right choice for you.
Spoiler Alert: AAC ammo is decent range ammo (it’s very inexpensive), but it definitely has its fair share of drawbacks – some of which are potentially dangerous.
AAC Ammo Review
AAC is owned by Palmetto State Armory (PSA) and sold online. AAC manufactures pistol and rifle ammunition in various cartridges (more on this later). In the course of my research, I found that most shooters have a decently positive experience with AAC ammo … but when things go wrong, they can go terribly wrong.
Many shooters love AAC handgun ammo and rarely report any negative experiences with it. However, the same cannot be said for their rifle ammo, especially the basic 5.56 ammo (typically packaged in a blue box). Some shooters report that 5% of the rifle ammo they purchased was unusable (improperly seated bullets, duds, and squib loads). Most suppressed shooting enthusiasts agree that AAC ammo has damaged their cans, and refuse to use it while firing suppressed. Even so, others say they've fired thousands of rounds with minimal problems.
These inconsistencies and quality-control problems seem common among PSA products. Most of the shooting community is aware of them, yet PSA doesn't seem in a hurry to fix them. Maybe that's because AAC plinking ammo is very inexpensive compared to most other brands, no matter which cartridge you're firing.
Most AAC ammo shooters agree that the higher-end Sabre (self-defense and hunting), Precision, and Match Grade series ammo tend to perform remarkably better, with fewer malfunctions. But it's also more expensive (so it should perform much better). Despite its significant drawbacks, AAC ammo still has many loyal customers who have had countless positive experiences with it.
AAC ammo is decent plinking ammo for the price, but I recommend using the more expensive ammo lines since fewer people report problems with them.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Inexpensive | ✗ Cheap ammo tends to have lots of problems |
| ✓ Wide selection of common cartridges | ✗ Quality control (or lack thereof) |
| ✓ Bulk and small batch ammo available | ✗ High cost of shipping and taxes |
What Are the Most Common Problems with AAC Ammo?
The most common problems with AAC ammo are poor quality control (improperly seated bullets being a common complaint), not suppressor-friendly, really dirty duds, inconsistent powder charges, over-pressured rounds, and recessed primers.
The 55 grain 5.56 ammo is most prone to these issues, but shooters of 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Blackout, 45 ACP, and 10mm have also reported issues.
How Does It Compare to Other Brands?
Compared to other budget-friendly brands, AAC tends to have more issues. I've used Fiocchi, Magtech, and Sellier & Bellot with no issues. However, I've also used brands like Remington and had some complications. It often comes down to what brand and load your particular firearm likes best. Testing several variations has worked well for me.
Why Is AAC Ammo So Cheap?
AAC is cheap because PSA produces a high volume of ammunition, uses less expensive components and manufacturing processes, and prices ammo low to compete for budget-minded buyers.
Cartridge and Calibers Available
Below you'll find the handgun and rifle cartridges AAC ammo produces.
Handgun Cartridges
AAC produces ammunition in several popular handgun calibers, with 9mm ammo being their most common offering for pistol shooters.
- 9mm
- 5.7x28mm
- .380 ACP
- .357 Magnum
- .38 Special
- .40 S&W
- .45 ACP
- .45 Long Colt
- 10mm
Rifle Cartridges
- .223 Remington
- 5.56x45mm
- .300 AAC Blackout
- .308 Win
- 6.5 Creedmoor
- 6.5 Grendel
- 7.62x39mm
- .338 ARC
Where Is AAC Ammo Made?
AAC ammo is made in Columbia, South Carolina.
Parting Shots: AAC Ammo Review
AAC ammo is inexpensive compared to other ammunition; however, it has significant drawbacks that can be dangerous. Most shooters agree that if you spend a little more on the higher-end AAC ammo, you'll witness better performance and quality.
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