Accuracy Potential of Better Performing 5.56 Self Defense Loads

**rob_s** · 03-03-12, 07:32

what I'm interested in is actual recorded group sizes for the specific loads that Doc mentions here and elsewhere in this subforum.

For the purposes of this thread I'm not looking for discussion on the price, availability, or relative performance. Doc has said that all of these perform adequately within the parameters given so let's take that at face value.

This thread is about ACCURACY.

loads pulled from the linked thread...

For longer range engagements using precision weapons like the Mk12 SPR or DMR rifles with faster 1/8 or 1/7 twist barrels
5.56 Federal 62 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC)
5.56 Federal 62 gr bonded JSP (XM556FBIT3)
5.56 mm Winchester 64 gr solid base bonded JSP (Q3313/RA556B)
5.56 mm Speer 55 gr Gold Dot JSP
5.56 mm Federal 62 gr Mk318 Mod0 (T556TNB1)
.223 55 gr Federal bonded JSP Tactical loads (LE223T1)
.223 62 gr Federal bonded JSP Tactical loads (LE223T3)
Nosler 60 gr Partition JSP
Remington 62 gr Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded JSP (PRC223R4)
.223 Federal 55 gr TSX (T223S)
.223 Speer 55 & 64 gr Gold Dot JSP's
Federal 62 gr Fusion JSP
Federal XM223SP1 62gr Bonded JSP
Swift 75 gr Scirocco bonded PT

1:12
BH 50 gr TSX
Fed 55 gr TBBC
Speer 55 gr Gold Dot
Fed 55 gr TSX

where intermediate barrier penetration is not a critical requirement... ...For 1/7 twist barrels
Hornady 75 gr OTM
Nosler 77 gr OTM
Sierra 77 gr SMK OTM
If stuck with 1/9 twist barrels
69 gr SMK OTM,
68 gr Hornady OTM
Winchester 64 gr JSP (RA223R2)
Federal 64 gr TRU (T223L) JSP
Hornady 60 gr JSP

For longer range engagements using precision weapons like the Mk12 SPR or DMR rifles with faster 1/8 or 1/7 twist barrels
Barnes 70 gr TSX (Optimized "browntip")
Hornady 75 gr TAP (#8126N)
Nosler 77 gr
Sierra 77 gr Match King (Mk262 Mod1)

From this thread on hog hunting (some redundancy with above, I'll come back and clean that up)
Federal 55 or 62 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bonded JSP
Winchester 64 gr solid base bonded JSP (Q3313/RA556B)
Remington 62 gr Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded JSP (PRC223R4)
Swift 75 gr Scirocco bonded PT
Speer 55 or 64 gr Gold Dot JSP (and identically constructed Federal 62 gr Fusion JSP and Federal XM223SP1 62gr Bonded JSP)
Nosler 60 gr Partition JSP
Barnes all copper TSX bullets, probably the 70 gr version is best for your needs

**urbankaos04** · 03-03-12, 13:28

75gr Hornady Practice ammo was also shot for groups as this is pretty much the same as .223 75 gr TAP in regards to velocity. I did not do the above shooting and the person that did, IIRC, did not have an improved trigger. All groups were at 100 yards, of course, and a Leupold VXIII 4.5-14x40mm in a LaRue SPR-E mount was used.

This particular barrel favors the 77 gr Sierras. MOLON has shown that while 10 shot groups are preferred, overlaying several 5-shot groups should give the same results.

ETA: 3-23-12 Have some 62 gr Fusion and 77 gr BH ammo coming my way. Will be shooting this out of a free floated Noveske N4 light upper. The groups above also utilized a free-floated upper.

**littlejerry** · 03-03-12, 15:35

Unfortunately I cannot provide hard data as never kept the groups that I shot(and I'm not going to give numbers from memory).

In shooting an assortment of M193, Federal Fusion .223, Speer 64gr .223, Brown Bear 55 & 62gr, Remington 55gr HP .223, and a few other assorted loads I was surprised to see the Fusion/Gold Dot ammo shoot significantly better than average from my 20" 1/7 Colt.

With 5 and 10 round groups the Fusion consistently outperformed most other loads I had with me(and was significantly better than PRVI M193). I believe this is due to the jacket plating method of "bonding" the jacket to the core. The jacket can be applied in a very consistent and uniform manner with the plating process.

For my purposes the Fusion/Gold Dot round has won me over. It has proven to be very accurate(and not just relative to soft point rounds...)

**bp7178** · 03-19-12, 17:02

I have some Speer 5.56x45mm 55gr Gold Dot ammo on the way. In addition to accuracy, I'm wondering if there will be any POI difference between that and Federal 5.56x45mm 55gr FMJ.

I'll update with some pics when the ammo arrives and I get to the range.

UPDATE;

Speer 5.56mm 55gr Bonded Gold Dot, next to a round of XM193 55gr FMJ

Speer 55gr Gold Dot

The Speer round is using a flattened ball type powder. As expected, the bullet base is enclosed in copper, as the jacket would be drawn upward, and the bullet has a cannelure. The meplats of the Speer bullets are very uniform, and appeared to have been trimmed. There isn't a lot of exposed lead at the meplat. Primers are crimped and sealed. The ogive of the Speer bullet looks slightly more to the secant side of things, as opposed to the 55gr FMJ which seems to lean a little more to the tangent side of the house.

There does not seem to be any case mouth sealant, none that was as readily apparent as an asphalt type anyway. In my unscientific test, it took much more force to pull the bullet from the Speer round than the XM193. Bullet seating depth varied. Most ammo I've come across has variations in seating depth. The exception to this is the Hornady TAP T2 5.56mm 75gr load. Amazingly uniform.

XM193 55gr FMJ

Similar flattened type ball powder, but I suspect its formulation is different. Again, this is based on my highly scientific test of lighting it on fire. The Speer powder seemed to burn hotter and faster. Strangely, the Speer powder left much less ash behind. These are just to be taken as mere observations, not fact or conclusion.

On the 55gr FMJ you can see the remainder of the asphalt mouth sealant. The bullet also has a slight boat tail and has exposed lead at its base.

More to follow. Thunderstorm hit the range when I was there, so they closed up for the day. Hopefully I'll be back there tomorrow and can shoot some comparison groups.

**bp7178** · 03-23-12, 17:39

Last post updated; range trip to follow.

**bp7178** · 03-24-12, 18:22

Got out to the range and shot some groups with XM193 and the Speer 5.56mm 55gr Gold Dot.

I was a little surprised...

The gun; a SR15 E3 with an Aimpoint T-1 2moa. Shot from a front rest and rear bag. No magnification used. Only modification to the rifle is the addition of a Vltor A5 with the standard weight A5 buffer. The rifle was zeroed previously with XM193, and the XM193 tested is from the same lot.

Groups are ten rounds each.

Targets;

XM193 (1)

XM193 (2)

Speer 5.56mm (1)

Speer 5.56mm (2)

I was kind of surprised how much of a shift there was between the XM193 and the Speer load. XM193 isn't the most accurate stuff ever, but seems remarkably consistent in its performance in the tested platform.

I hadn't expected that much of a shift. I want to test some Speer .223 64gr Gold Dot next. The 64gr flavor seems remarkably accurate, and the ballistic tests are amazing as well.

XM193

ES 1.206" 1.410" (avg 1.308)
Radius .402" .462" (avg .432)

Speer 5.56mm 55gr

ES 2.614" 1.512" (avg 2.063)
Radius .608" .532" (avg .570")

Now, granted the Speer load being a bonded soft point is better in terms of ballistics. I would have expected better accuracy, even at a modest 50 yards. The radius between the two XM193 groups is almost identical. The Speer, not so much.

The lighting at the range was odd. Cloud cover was moving in and out. If you've tried to shoot a group with a RDS on a white paper target, having that target vary in the amount of the splash of sunlight you get off of it makes the shooting inconsistent. I had to keep changing the intensity of the RDS so I could see the dot on the target.

Tomorrow the skies should be perfectly clear, so we shall see...

**bp7178** · 03-25-12, 13:07

Pushed out to 100 yards today.

It was my first time shooting a red dot at that distance, and I'll say its a bit tricky. I shot two ten round groups with each, but one of each had to be thrown out because my target had 12 holes, but I was only shooting 10 round groups. Public shooting range...

Speer 55gr 5.56mm

I was holding center , which explains the vertical offset. The Speer is still about 1 1/2" right of the XM193.

XM193

For this group I held the bottom of the outer red ring. With a T-1 in a Larue LT660, its a tad low of a hold, but it got the group very close to the center, so I'll take it. Based on these results, I did add two clicks left to the T-1.

I want to try this again with a magnifier. An Aimpoint 3x and some Speer 64gr are on the list of things to buy...

If I were to conclude anything from my XM193 vs Speer test, its that the XM193 is still my general use ammunition. Its very cheap, and of decent accuracy. I keep two 30rnd PMAGs loaded with the Speer for home defense. 2 MOA at 100 yards with a RDS and 5.56mm pressure ammunition, and a chrome lined barrel is respectable.

Our duty ammo for .223 is 69gr SMK and Ballistic Silvertip, neither of which is good for barriers. Word has it our range staff is looking for a new barrier blind load, but in the mean time I'm going to grab some 69gr SMK. Between Silvertip and the 69gr, I'll take the SMK round knowing it isn't ideal, but such is life...

**BountyXP** · 03-25-12, 19:23

Originally Posted by rob_s

what I'm interested in is actual recorded group sizes for the specific loads..

Search here and TOS for Molon's threads and you'll get detailed chrono info, accuracy results, cool pics, etc for half those loads...

**BountyXP** · 03-25-12, 23:54

Rob,

Although not as nicely worded or organized as Molon's research (and fron the dreaded TOS no less), I found some links that can get you started on some of the loads listed...hopefully they can get you started or aid in further research. Disregard references to the end of the world, zombie apocalypse, and Bushmaster/DPMS/RRA fandom.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/490278_.html

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/500993_.html

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/55...ic_Heavy_.html