Mk318 vs 5.56 75gr TAP

[Team Chuck Norris]

Not Doc, but will answer question 1 from a dealer standpoint.

5.56

The SPEER 24455 (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...tion&key=24455), BH D556N1 (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...ion&key=D556N1) and Hornady 8125N (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...tion&key=8125N).

The SPEER 24455 is actually a rare bird and we are lucky to have found some of it. The BH D556N1 is easily obtained, but DAMN if isn't expensive as is the 8125N.

.223

The SPEER 24448 (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...tion&key=24448), Federal T1 (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=LE223T1) and T3 (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=LE223T3).

The Federal T1/T3 are great loads, but are very hard to get ahold of and are expensive. The SPEER 24448 is pretty easy to acquire and is priced well I think.



C4

Thank you for this answer. Can you/anyone answer the following:

1. Is the Hornady LE T2 TAP 75gr 556 NATO ( 8126N ) round

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...ategory%3DHORN

considered a "barrier blind" round? I see that the 62 gr. TAP 5.56 round specifically speaks to its ability to pass through barriers, but is this the case with the 75 gr 5.56 TAP as well?

2. I would guess that the Federal Tactical Bonded 62gr .223 Bonded SP ( LE223T3 ) is not the same as the 5.56 mm Federal 62 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC) bonded JSP (XM556FBIT3), but is the latter available at all? I have never seen it listed anywhere. Is it a special order item anywhere? I see it listed as a recommended round in the 5.56 mm Duty Loads sticky, but does it actually exist?

It would seem that at this time the only 5.56 (not .223) barrier blind round which is readily available - to the civilian market - and at semi-reasonable prices - would be the Mk318.

[C4IGrant]

Thank you for this answer. Can you/anyone answer the following:

1. Is the Hornady LE T2 TAP 75gr 556 NATO ( 8126N ) round considered a "barrier blind" round? I see that the 62 gr. TAP 5.56 round specifically speaks to its ability to pass through barriers, but is this the case with the 75 gr 5.56 TAP as well?

In the past it wasn't (more like M855), but they have re-designed it to be a barrier blind round.

Regular TAP (55gr or 75gr) is going to fragment and not work well with certain barriers.

2. I would guess that the Federal Tactical Bonded 62gr .223 Bonded SP ( LE223T3 ) is not the same as the 5.56 mm Federal 62 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC) bonded JSP (XM556FBIT3), but is the latter available at all? I have never seen it listed anywhere. Is it a special order item anywhere? I see it listed as a recommended round in the 5.56 mm Duty Loads sticky, but does it actually exist?

I have never been able to track down the TBBC or XM556FBIT3) and don't know if they are still produced. So IMHO, it would be hard to get on the Civy side.

It would seem that at this time the only 5.56 (not .223) barrier blind round which is readily available - to the civilian market - and at semi-reasonable prices - would be the Mk318.

The SPEER 24455 is a 5.56 and is pretty well priced and will perform better in accuracy tests than the MK318 (IMHO).



C4

[Belmont31R]

Is there an advantage to the 24455 (55 GDSP) load to the 24456 (64 GDSP)? Both in 5.56....

[C4IGrant]

Is there an advantage to the 24455 (55 GDSP) load to the 24456 (64 GDSP)? Both in 5.56....

I don't think so. Also, the 24456 is basically vaporware.


C4

[KhanRad]

Is there an advantage to the 24455 (55 GDSP) load to the 24456 (64 GDSP)? Both in 5.56....

Most likely the 55gr load was produced for the large number of M16A1s still in service in many agencies.

[Belmont31R]

I don't think so. Also, the 24456 is basically vaporware.


C4

Most likely the 55gr load was produced for the large number of M16A1s still in service in many agencies.

Hmm. Local store has had some in the past. Going today anyways so Ill see what they have. Didn't know it was hard to get.

[C4IGrant]

Hmm. Local store has had some in the past. Going today anyways so Ill see what they have. Didn't know it was hard to get.

I have been trying to find it (as a dealer) for awhile. So if you have a local store with it, buy it (as long as it isn't rape).



C4

[Belmont31R]

I have been trying to find it (as a dealer) for awhile. So if you have a local store with it, buy it (as long as it isn't rape).



C4

All their Speer GDSP 223/556 loads are under 20/box. Usually closer 15 IIRC.




FWIW worth relating to this thread I had rather large groups with Mk318 I tested in a couple different guns that are capable of much better accuracy. 3-4" at 100 was what I was getting with many other loads in the >1"-2" range.

[C4IGrant]

All their Speer GDSP 223/556 loads are under 20/box. Usually closer 15 IIRC.




FWIW worth relating to this thread I had rather large groups with Mk318 I tested in a couple different guns that are capable of much better accuracy. 3-4" at 100 was what I was getting with many other loads in the >1"-2" range.

Was the MK318 loose or in boxes that looked like this:




C4

[Ironman8]

Thanks for the reply Grant...definitely lays out some options.

Can you comment on the accuracy of the various loads and which you would use in a precision application for 4-500m and in?

Also, I guess I just need to boil the question about fragmenting vs barrier blind down to this: If I had an AR loaded up for home defense where I am 99% sure that I wouldn't have to shoot through a barrier any harder than a wall, what would I want it loaded with? Does the answer differ if in an apt vs a house? I guess I'm still not understanding the penetration/lethality capability of one round over the other in a circumstance such as a miss where there may be family in the room behind the bad guy...

Thanks again for all the info.