Hornady TAP LE vs. FPD?

[rmecapn]

I am trying to determine the terminal and ballistic performance difference (if any) between the Hornaday 75 gr. TAP LE only load versus their 75 gr. FPD (For Personal Defense) load.

So far, from the box and Hornady's website I get the FPD is faster (box marked 2790 fps muzzle velocity) than LE (box marked 2630 fps muzzle velocity). Also, the website (and observation) indicates the FPD are nickle plated cases where the LE are brass.

It appears that the FPD is a hotter round. Does anyone have confirmation of this? Is the terminal and ballastic performance of the FPD equal to the LE? I have a couple of boxes of Mk262 Mod1 from BH that work very well in my 14.5" 1:9 twist barrel and I am hoping these FPD rounds would be comparable as I know the Hornady LE TAP and Mk262 Mod1 are very similar in performance. Any info would be appreciated on how the LE, FPD, and Mk262 compare.

[docsprague]

Does the FPD box also list its velocity as out of a 14.5 inch barrel. I was always told there is about a 200 fps difference between the LE stuff and the FPD. The FPD being the slower of the two.

Edit: This might help http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=283506

[rmecapn]

Thanks for the link doc. It gave me what I needed to know. The box of LE TAP I have is marked 223, not 5.56 so I'm guessing it's the practice ammo. My dealer also had Mk262 and for less than the TAP FPD. I'm going to stick with the Mk262 for serious work.

[Chris Poston]

Our dept. uses the T2 /5.56 TAP and it is a bit faster than the .223 TAP by 150 fps. avg. It seems to work well in our 16" carbines and has a fairly low flash with the A2 suppressor and none with the Vortex. We get an avg. of 2702 FPS. out of our 6920's with the T2 load and 1- 1 1/2 " groups @ 100 yards avg.

Recoil reminds me of M855.