View Full Version : 18" AR-15 with Hornady 62 FMJ
TomPenguin5145
09-14-18, 16:29
Some of you might have seen my previous post where I was experimenting with 60 Vmax. Here is the link if you want more background.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?206676-18-quot-AR15-with-Hornady-60VMax0
My setup is an inexpensive AR15 with a KAK Value Line 18" Mid Length 5.56 1/7 twist. It has a Primary Arms 3-9 scope on top and a cheap bi-pod on the free float hand guard. It is kind of a parts bin gun.
After playing with 60 VMax and a few 69SMK, I decided to try Hornady's 62 FMJ. The one without the steel insert.
https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/22-cal-.224-62-gr-fmj#!/
Here is the load data from Hornady.
https://press.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/5-56-nato-60-62gr.pdf
I loaded up 7 loadings using once fired PMC Brass trimmed to 1.750.
I used CCI 450 Primers
4 Loads were H322. 23.3gn, 23.5gn, 23.7gn, and 23.9gns. The last two are over max, but my gun had never shown pressure signs at max with any powder. I guess my camber is large?:confused:
3 Loads were H335. 24.0gns, 24.3 gns, 24.6gns.
MagnetoSpeed Chrono was used.
53797
The Targets. Groups are rounded to the nearest 1/4" and measured for extreme spread. I also marked 2 rounds that I knew I threw.
Normally there is a Vortex 3x Spit-Fire that sits on top of this rifle. I tried a PA 1-6, but didn't like it. It was heavy, eye relief was less than the Spit-Fire and the 6x was not as good as the 9x for shooting at targets. I sold that replaced it with the PA 3-9.
It looks like H335 gives me what I was looking for. That is a round that can work with the sub tensions for hold over in a Vortex Spitfire when zeroed at 50 yds. I also needed the ammo to use in a urban precision carbine course. It's not a sniper course but I wanted the ammo to shoot sub 1 1/2" MOA and do it cheap. The 62 FMJ is about .11 a round right now. It needs about a .03 primer and .10 of powder. So for .24 cents I can get a decent performing round. The H335 is nice as it makes bulk loading easy with the powder throw.
I guess I need to load a few more up and confirm it with a few more groupings. H322 also did well, but H335 loads a touch easier and is about 4 dollars cheaper per lb here.
For those out there looking to push the round....at least in my gun there seems to be significantly more velocity that could be gained if needed.
I have photos of the casings after being fired that I wanted to add but I keep getting an Error about exceeding my "Quota".
Ok, I delete some images and was able to upload a few. (They only give you 2mb of space here?). I now how this weird Attached Thumbnails I can't seem to get rid of tho...
Anyway, here is the image of the casings. H322 on the left, H335 on the right. Charges go up from low to high going Left to Right.
53798
You ought to try the Hornady 62 gr HPBT W/C bullet. We used to shoot a bunch of the FMJ like you're loading, but the HPBT is damned near Match King performance. Buncha guys here getting sub MOA groups.
TomPenguin5145
09-17-18, 15:54
I saw that bullet and will take a look at it the next time a place an order. It looks like it's only available at one supplier? Think that bullet is going to stick around for a while or is it some one off deal? I also think I am going to use the "cheap" FMJ round and easy to load H335 and work my personal shooting skills at this point. I think I have more to do with the lack of consistency in the groupings then the gun or ammunition :-).
We thought it was a "one off" deal at first, but it seems to be sticking around. It's a GOOD bullet. But on Sunday at 750 yards, we saw where the 77 gr OTM really out shines. 14.5 BCM middy with an ACOG, shot like 1 out of 5 on steel with 62 gr, and I was chasing it around a bit. Loaded 3 77s just to compare, and went 3 for 3 with 2 center flapper hits.
I'm pretty much in love with that Horn 62gr BTHP. Shot a 5rd group of 1.86" at 200 yards the other day with it, seems like the best value out there right now.
I'm pretty much in love with that Horn 62gr BTHP. Shot a 5rd group of 1.86" at 200 yards the other day with it, seems like the best value out there right now.
Nice. Our shooting spot isn't very conducive to groups beyond 100 due to the wind. It's not terrible wind, but it's all over the board.
Got a bunch of these, anyone ever load any?
Yes. They were minute of shotgun no matter what I tried between two different rifling's and four different powders in lots of ladder development. The best I could get was using CFE 223 using the OAL of 2.230 and CCI SRP's or #41's with exactly 26 grains using both primers. Weird. Other powders used were TAC, BL-C(2), and Varget. TAC surprised me, as I thought that if CFE couldn't do it, then TAC WOULD.
Everything else from Hornady has been spectacular from the 55 FMJ, SP's, to the ELD's.
Odd. I load Hornady bulk 55 FMJ and with no special trouble, can improve on factory loadings.
TomPenguin5145
01-30-19, 04:26
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?209624-18-quot-AR-15-with-Hornady-62-FMJ
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?209624-18-quot-AR-15-with-Hornady-62-FMJ
Your best groups is what I was getting. I was very disappointed in their 62, especially when using both Hornady FMJBT and SPFB in 55 were both sub MOA at 100.
Sounds like for a bulk purchase the 55 gr FMJ Hornadys may be a lot better?
Sounds like for a bulk purchase the 55 gr FMJ Hornadys may be a lot better?Speaking for myself, I will say yes.
https://i.imgur.com/rnBwENO.jpg
Ten shot groups is my way of verifying actual accuracy based on the merit of Molon's knowledge sharing. That was 9 in one jagged hole at 100 yards, and the lone flyer for the tenth...well nobodies perfect and it's a curse of mine. I used various lots of LC, all trimmed to exactly 1.750 because I didn't want bullet jump differences making things weird and powder used was CFE223 seated to 2.200 and CCI SRP. This was developed for a 1/8 that also works quite well in the few 1/7 that I own as well.
I used to load them for blasting, but like others posted, they're not thrilling. The 62 gr Hornady hpbt bullets on the other hand are great.
Played with the 60 gr V-Max a few years ago, Behind a stiff charge of N-140 I was amazed how well it shot out of a V Match with 20" barrel.
I would also give the 62 HPBT a chance, but for a general blasting load I think you are doing just fine.
H335 is a great powder, and seems to shoot consistently well through all of my AR's as well. It is kind of flashy, and temperature sensitive, but has always produced good accuracy and velocities. My sweet spot has always been around 24.5 gr under 55-60 great stuff.
Hearing the positive of the HPBT 62 and the validation that the 62 FMJBT was and is still blah, I am interested now in finding some to load. However, I have not seen any for sale at the local Sportsmen Warehouse. Is this going to be an online purchase only thing too like the 60 TMK that is only available online?
Yes, they are only available from one source....which I can't recall at the moment.
I still need to work up a load with the ones I bought months ago.
Yes, they are only available from one source....which I can't recall at the moment.
I still need to work up a load with the ones I bought months ago.Midsouth?
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/001532276c1500/22-caliber-point224-diameter-62-grain-bthp-with-cannelure-1500-count
I only need two boxes of 100, one to ladder and one to stock after the data has been collected and saved.
Not sure what the purpose is for the 62 gr HPBT ?
Not sure what the purpose is for the 62 gr HPBT ?Well for me, it would be to collect data on it. It's my hobby.
Not sure what the purpose is for the 62 gr HPBT ?
In general or for someone specific??
For us the 62 gr HPBT runs nearly as good as the 77 gr OTM (at nearly half the price) out to 600 yards. Starting at 750 yards, the 77s really start to outshine the 62s with ACOGs.
TomPenguin5145
01-31-19, 11:43
If you Google "62 BTHP Gel" you will find a video showing what the bullet will do in gel if you care for that stuff.
Tha's kinda what I was wondering? Is the 62 gr HPBT a better bullet then the 55gr FMJ for stocking up just in case.
I fully expect them to fly better than 55 gr FMJ, while likely also delivering improved fragmentation.....for roughly the same price.
Tha's kinda what I was wondering? Is the 62 gr HPBT a better bullet then the 55gr FMJ for stocking up just in case.
They honestly seem like the single best overall bang for the buck right now.
So your good with these if trouble was at the door? Now keep in mind we're talking about three bullets ( 55gr FMJ, 62 gr FMJ and 62 gr HPBT ) , I know there are better choices but I'm only talking about these three.
So your good with these if trouble was at the door? Now keep in mind we're talking about three bullets ( 55gr FMJ, 62 gr FMJ and 62 gr HPBT ) , I know there are better choices but I'm only talking about these three.
Hell no. I won't use any of those for typical home defense purposes. Why are you asking this?
Easy answer, Why not? The 62 grain HPBT from Hornady must have some purpose other then holding powder in casings. There are better choices for target and hunting so just what can we ask from this bullet? This is a fair Question.
My purpose for the 62 grain Hornady HPBT bullets is to inexpensively punch holes in paper and other non-living objects at ranges up to 200 yards with precision beyond what a lousy FMJ is able to deliver.
As you stated, there are better choices for targets (especially at longer range) and much better choices for hunting, but those choices don't cost $0.09 per bullet.
TomPenguin5145
02-01-19, 12:59
Any bullet in 223/5.56 will work and work well in a SHTF scenario in which your thinking your going to need stock piled ammunition. Wanna have the best of the best and can afford it. Cool, do it. Can't afford it? Just buy a small amount of premium to cover the "man at the door" threat and stock up on whatever you can if you feel you need to. Lets not get too hung up on this.
I see a lot of these bullet arguments the same as 9mm vs .45 vs .40. Even "lowly" M193 works just fine at short to mid range. That's not the reason the military replaced it. IMO, the only people that really need to pay special attention to what they are shooting are the ppl with the really short barrels.
So your good with these if trouble was at the door? Now keep in mind we're talking about three bullets ( 55gr FMJ, 62 gr FMJ and 62 gr HPBT ) , I know there are better choices but I'm only talking about these three.
The hornady 62 hpbt is monumentally better than the other two. It'd be decent to fight with, although the 77 otm is still my pick.
As you stated, there are better choices for targets (especially at longer range) and much better choices for hunting, but those choices don't cost $0.09 per bullet.
Exactly. You can shoot at the target twice for the price of a 77 gr. :cool:
Not a bad reply! The point I was trying to make is (was) what box does this bullet fit in, plinking, Hunting, Defense, maybe fishing. Hornady say's the bullet jacket is thicker so does that mean it's "what" and what rolls will it be used in or take on?
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.