Hornady 223 Rem 75gr BTHP TAP Gel Test Results

[plouffedaddy]

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/tiffani33/Picture1-3_zps40c3e219.png

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/tiffani33/Picture2-7_zpsb5c00ad7.png

Just finished up testing the Hornady 223 75gr BTHP round (#80265) from my 1 in 7 Palmetto State Armory 14.7'' CHF 1 in 7 twist barrel. The test was shot at 15 ft, 60 degrees, and 300 ft of elevation and the Clear Ballistics FBI spec gel block was used with 4 layers of denim.

Results:

-2386fps, 948 ft/lbs energy
-Expansion/fragmentation started at the 4''
-Jacket separation occurred at 10''
-Deepest penetration point was 19''

The manufacture of the gel block, Clear Ballistics, claims their gel meets FBI specs for testing. I calibrate my gel per their specs prior to testing and use 4 layers of denim per IWBA protocol.

However, by no means am I saying this test is a substitute for the great work industry professionals like Dr. Roberts and others do. I'm just a shooter that likes to learn about the products I use.


Here's the video of the test:

Hornady TAP 223 75gr BTHP HD Video Test Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q_5nwfX1KI)

[michael word]

would it be possible to redue the test with a 16" and 20" barrel for comparrison on velosity and fragmentaion. would love to see that. dont know where you are located, but if close enough I would even donate my rifles for the test.

[Shao]

Thanks for posting that... I've only shot 3 boxes of this ammo and was impressed enough with the accuracy and reliability that I keep two 30 rnd pmags loaded as spares nearby for home-defense situations and a 20 rnd Lancer AWM with Winchester Supreme 55gr ballistic silvertips in the gun. 2386fps seems slooowwww though... I was expecting a little more...

[Zane1844]

WOW, no joke just woke up this morning wondering how these bullets do, and came across your video, now its up here :D

Are the "Match, or Super performance" bullets of the same construction?

[BigLarge]

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing

[Sixgun_Symphony]

the overall penetration is much deeper than I've seen in most other tests to include Hornady testing...

[Nightvisionary]

the overall penetration is much deeper than I've seen in most other tests to include Hornady testing...

Likely due to the low velocity and lack of fragmentation normally associated with this bullet.

[Shao]

Likely due to the low velocity and lack of fragmentation normally associated with this bullet.

Good point...

[plouffedaddy]

would it be possible to redue the test with a 16" and 20" barrel for comparrison on velosity and fragmentaion. would love to see that. dont know where you are located, but if close enough I would even donate my rifles for the test.

I have both length ARs. I may get around to it one of these days but it just takes time and I have a lot of other ammo I'd like to get to before I start re-testing ammo with different variables. Recycling the gel is a b**ch...


Likely due to the low velocity and lack of fragmentation normally associated with this bullet.

That was my thought as well.

[Clint]

Nice test.

The 4" neck length or initial penetration may not be ideal.

Hornady's own testing shows a 1" neck in bare gel and a wider cavity.

They have all the other cases except 4LD.

There may be a gel calibration issue, as I don't expect the 4LD to affect a rifle round significantly.

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/223-remington/75-gr-bthp-tap

[SunTzu]

Thanks for the video! I've been eyeballing this ammo as well and your video pretty much covers all I wanted to know. Subscribed.

[Clint]

From a terminal effects standpoint for HD/SD, I like the ~60gr bonded projectiles better than the 75-77 grain match.

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=38029

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/223-remington/62-gr-tap-barrier

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=88215

[vicious_cb]

Below 2400 fps is pretty bad especially since it looks pretty warm where you're at. Better off buying the Black Hills load using the Hornady 75gr as this load doesnt seem to be using the T2 version of 75gr bullet.

[plouffedaddy]

Below 2400 fps is pretty bad especially since it looks pretty warm where you're at. Better off buying the Black Hills load using the Hornady 75gr as this load doesnt seem to be using the T2 version of 75gr bullet.


The test was shot at 15 ft, 60 degrees, and 300 ft of elevation

Indeed.

[AndrewWiggin]

Nice test.

The 4" neck length or initial penetration may not be ideal.

Hornady's own testing shows a 1" neck in bare gel and a wider cavity.

They have all the other cases except 4LD.

There may be a gel calibration issue, as I don't expect the 4LD to affect a rifle round significantly.

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/223-remington/75-gr-bthp-tap


The clear gel appears to be significantly more elastic than ordnance gelatin. I don't think it shows TSC very well.

[plouffedaddy]

The clear gel appears to be significantly more elastic than ordnance gelatin. I don't think it shows TSC very well.

I agree. The TSC is the biggest 'con' for the clear gel that I've seen so far.

[AndrewWiggin]

Not a big deal for testing pistol ammo and it seems that the clear gel shows comparable penetration and expansion figures there. As long as we know that TSC isn't going to be accurately portrayed in rifle tests, it can still yield good penetration and expansion/fragmentation numbers.


How did you determine the point at which the jacket separated or was that just where the first jacket fragments came to a rest?

[DocGKR]

Keep in mind that Clear Ballistics blocks are not an "FBI spec gel block".

4LD is a simple engineering test to assess handgun projectile resistance to plugging with clothing material--this is not an issue with rifle projectiles; as such 4LD is NOT a necessary protocol when testing rifle loads.

So far, NONE of the polymer gel blocks accurately represent TSC in static testing.

A minimum of 5 rounds are needed to get a sense of how a projectile is going to perform.

[BuckskinJoe]

Keep in mind that Clear Ballistics blocks are not an "FBI spec gel block".

4LD is a simple engineering test to assess handgun projectile resistance to plugging with clothing material--this is not an issue with rifle projectiles; as such 4LD is NOT a necessary protocol when testing rifle loads.

So far, NONE of the polymer gel blocks accurately represent TSC in static testing.

A minimum of 5 rounds are needed to get a sense of how a projectile is going to perform.

Party pooper! :D

[plouffedaddy]

Keep in mind that Clear Ballistics blocks are not an "FBI spec gel block".

4LD is a simple engineering test to assess handgun projectile resistance to plugging with clothing material--this is not an issue with rifle projectiles; as such 4LD is NOT a necessary protocol when testing rifle loads.

So far, NONE of the polymer gel blocks accurately represent TSC in static testing.

A minimum of 5 rounds are needed to get a sense of how a projectile is going to perform.

I appreciate you taking the time to contribute here, sir. I always pick up a little knowledge when you do.

[nml]

Good velocity for a 10.5". Nice job Hornady.

[Firefox]

Plouffedaddy,

I realize the point of your work was to test the round at 15ft however I am curious if you have any data on how this round performs at longer ranges (100yds and beyond). I am just getting my feet wet in the world of reloading and have been looking at using Hornady 75gr HPBT in a rifle of mine. Thanks!

[plouffedaddy]

Plouffedaddy,

I realize the point of your work was to test the round at 15ft however I am curious if you have any data on how this round performs at longer ranges (100yds and beyond). I am just getting my feet wet in the world of reloading and have been looking at using Hornady 75gr HPBT in a rifle of mine. Thanks!

I do plan on doing tests at at least 100m as well as using barriers down the road but I want to get a baseline at SD distances for the rounds first so I have something to compare it to when I incorporate different variables...