5.56mm 70gr TSX SSA & .223 62gr Remington Bonded Test

[DRT]

I shot some 5.56mm 70gr TSX SSA & .223 62gr Remington Bonded this weekend and thought I'd share the results.

http://s773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/ghostrider1krr/bullet1/?action=view&current=P8030008.jpg

Weapon: Colt Sporter (circa 1993) 20" 1:7 gov't profile barrel, freefloated, 3x9x50 Nikon Prostaff scope, 4# Bill Springfield modified stock single stage trigger.

Distance: 50 yards

Temp = ~70F

Altitude = 1300ft

Competition Electronics ProChrono @ ~10'

Overcast

Position: Bench

70gr TSX by SSA:

Lot # = couldn't find a specific #, however box lid showed "May 29 2009".

2917
2976
2930
2923
2949
====
ave = 2939 (yes, they moved right along)
SD = 21.4
50yard 5-shot group (CTC) = 1.02"

http://s773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/ghostrider1krr/bullet1/?action=view&current=P8030004.jpg

While the bullet holes look like they are to the right side of the target, they are actually 3" to the left of the target on the right side on the same sheet of paper.


.223 62gr Remington Bonded:

Lot # = G15 HB30 L

2898
2923
2886
2892
2873
====

ave = 2894
SD = 16.5 (prior chrono data with same ammo previously yielded much higher SD. Guess I picked 5 good ones though you can't tell by the group size)
50yard 5-shot group (CTC) = 1.51"

http://s773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/ghostrider1krr/bullet1/?action=view&current=P8030003.jpg


69gr Federal GMM (Control Load):

Lot # = 290456W068

Not chrono'd during this outing though I've previously measured this ammo at ~2720fps out of this weapon.

50yard 5-shot group (CTC) = 0.43" ***Most accurate load in my weapon***

http://s773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/ghostrider1krr/bullet1/?action=view&current=P8030002.jpg


As a side note, this weapon typically shoots 50yard, 5-shot groups with 5.56mm 75gr TAP into 0.6"-0.75". Not bad for a gov't barreled weapon. Here's an example.

http://s773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/ghostrider1krr/bullet1/?action=view&current=P8040002.jpg

I also fired one round of remington bonded and one round of TSX into a water barrel. The Remington mushroomed with a retained weight of 54gr, the TSX mushroomed but 3 of 4 petals sheered off.

http://s773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/ghostrider1krr/bullet1/?action=view&current=P8030007.jpg

http://s773.photobucket.com/albums/yy19/ghostrider1krr/bullet1/?action=view&current=P8030006.jpg


One final observation. My weapon is sighted in for 75gr TAP. At 50 yards, the 62gr Remington bonded grouped ~ 1.25" to the left and ~0.5" low vs TAP. The 70gr TSX grouped ~3.0" to the left and ~ 1.0" high vs TAP. I was quite surprised by the TSX's POI shift vs TAP. I shot a quick 5 rounds of TAP to confirm 50yard zero was still valid, and it was.

[.45fmjoe]

I guess it is safe to assume those 70gr TSX bullets are really moving. :D

[DRT]

Yes they were. For reference, 75gr 5.56mm TAP typically does around 2820fps out of this weapon. 75gr BH BB does 2630-2660fps.

[Pilgrim]

70gr TSX by SSA:

Lot # = couldn't find a specific #, however box lid showed "May 29 2009".

2917
2976
2930
2923
2949
====
ave = 2939 (yes, they moved right along)
SD = 21.4
50yard 5-shot group (CTC) = 1.02"


HOLY MOLY!!! :eek: 2939 FPS is approaching the .243 Winchester's 70 grain bullet starter loads.

Cases/primers look OK after firing?

That much speed with a theoretical 2 MOA group size... I'm very interested in taking this round hunting.

[DRT]

You know, I didnt check the primers but I saved the brass at my place up North so I'll check them the next time that I go up there.

I want to shoot a few in my LE6920 (also sighted in for 5.56mm 75gr TAP, my duty ammo) to see if the POI shift is as large as it was in my 20" Colt.

[AmmoUp]

Nice.

Anyway you can shoot at something hard.

Got any cars doors laying around. :D

[Ak44]

Good Stuff