Choosing our new .223 Duty Rounds

**gamewarden** · 01-17-12, 12:37

This is my short list in order from least expensive to most.

1. Speer 55 grain gold dot SP 24446
2. Federal LE223T1 (TBBC) ($10 more a case)
3.Federal LE223T3 (same price as T1) was told this is the equivalent to the FBI's:XM556FBIT3 has brass case, FC-MN223LET3 has nickel case. Supposedly we cannot get the actual FBI round.
4.Federal TRU T223S w/55 grain TSX (about $30 more a case)
5.Mk318 Mod 0 was ($70 more per case). Not a consideration just wanted to see where it came in price wise.

I need to make the reccommendation by the end of the month. I'm leaning heavily toward the LE223T1.

Any thought or opinions? These will be for use in are newly acquired M16A1's with collapsible stocks but original 1:12 barrels...??

I also am looking for a new .308 round for our M14's instead of our 150 grain Nolser Tipped Federals. This is what i'm leaning toward: Gold Dot .308 150 grain bonded soft point 24457.

We have over 200 M14's in our inventory and will be getting 30-50 M16A1's.

thanks!

**kenndapp** · 01-17-12, 16:57

Looking for good .308 duty ammo as well. Looking forward to this thread.

**Beat Trash** · 01-17-12, 19:01

If you're stuck with the 1/12 barrels, then you need to limit yourself to the 55 gr loadings. The new FBI loading is either a 62 gr (Federal) or a 64 gr (Winchester) loading.

Whoever told you that your agency can't get the new FBI loading is wrong.

My agency has to have it's annual ammunition order in by the first of January. We hosted ballistics workshops by ATK and Winchester last November, as we were in a unique (for us) position to change duty ammunition in all calibers.

I don't have the data with me currently (at home on an off-day), but I wasn't impressed with the penetration we got form the 55gr Speer God Dot loading.

Tests were bare gel, auto glass, wall board, FBI heavy clothing, and 4 layer denim.

The Federal 55gr LE223T1 did well and was an acceptable load that I would have felt comfortable with. I'd look real hard at this load especially considering you are using 1/12 barreled guns.

With the state bid contract price for Ohio, the LE223T1 is more expensive than the Gold Dot loading. But the difference in performance I witnessed with our testing justifies the cost difference in my opinion.

When the decision was made for my agency's new duty rounds, additional factors had to be considered in addition to the results from the ballistic gel tests.

In 5.56, we are switching to the Winchester 64 gr FBI loading for our 5.56 guns. But our guns are either 1/7 or 1/9 barreled guns.

**DocGKR** · 01-17-12, 19:20

For M16A1's with 1/12 twist barrels, stick with the Fed 55 gr TBBC (LE223T1), BH 50 gr TSX, Speer 55 gr Gold Dot, or Fed 55 gr TSX (T223S).

For .308 semi-autos, the 150 gr Speer Gold Dot, 150 gr Rem CLUB (PRC308WA), or 150 gr Swift Scirocco (previously loaded by Remington as the PRSC308WA but now seems to be discontinued from the current Rem catalog)

**johnnychimpo** · 01-17-12, 23:51

My choices were limited to whats on TN state contract. Rem 55gr SP or 55gr HP. I went with the SP. Bullet performance wasn't a factor only cost.

**wilco423** · 01-18-12, 02:10

Originally Posted by Beat Trash

Whoever told you that your agency can't get the new FBI loading is wrong.

Our ATK rep told me last week that we wouldn't be able to get it until next year.

FWIW

**Beat Trash** · 01-18-12, 02:37

We went with the Winchester version of the FBI loading. It's due in within the next month or so.

**Generalpie** · 01-18-12, 03:34

We have used both versions of the TBBC in 62 grain. I would personally be happy with any of those choices and would add the 50 grain TSX loading there as well.

**SgtSabre** · 01-18-12, 04:17

Originally Posted by gamewarden

This is my short list in order from least expensive to most.

1. Speer 55 grain gold dot SP 24446
2. Federal LE223T1 (TBBC) ($10 more a case)
3.Federal LE223T3 (same price as T1) was told this is the equivalent to the FBI's:XM556FBIT3 has brass case, FC-MN223LET3 has nickel case. Supposedly we cannot get the actual FBI round.
4.Federal TRU T223S w/55 grain TSX (about $30 more a case)
5.Mk318 Mod 0 was ($70 more per case). Not a consideration just wanted to see where it came in price wise.

Of those you listed, I would choose LE223T1 for the M16a1.