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Sinister · 06-14-2010, 09:57

Precision 5.56mm ammunition has evolved from the initial tasking by Colonel Mac Johnson, USAMU Commander, to the Army Rifle Team gunsmiths back in the early 90s.

The force does not shoot M14s. His tasking and direction was to make the M16 a Camp Perry-winning platform. The rest is history as the rifles left the shop to "Let the ass-kickings begin."

The M16 has since broken nearly all M14 records including the Interservice 10-man team score that stood for over 25 years.

The 69-grain Sierra Match King is roughly the same length as the M855 Ball bullet -- the solid lead core weighs slightly more than Green Tip's steel penetrator but is a hell of a lot more accurate to 500 yards. It is more sensitive to wind past 300 yards than heavier bullets but provided the Army Team with the highest "X-count" on NRA targets at 200 and 300 yards.

The Berger 73 is the most accurate "Heavy" to 300-500. It was tested and used for several seasons, however it is also blown around a little more than 75s and 77s at 300, 500, and 600 yards (where the M16 is expected to hit E-type silhouettes in the rapid-fire National Infantry Trophy Team Match). The reason it is not the bullet in Mark 262 is Walt and Eunice Berger retired in the critical period when competitive teams needed a consistent bullet source and no one knew whether or not Berger bullets would be produced after Walt retired -- hence Hornady 75s and Sierra 77s got the nod).

Both 69s and 73s generally shoot well in 1-9 twist or faster commercial barrels.

Hornady 75s and 77s are good bullets to 500-600 yards. They fly true and hit where you aim. You get more kills because the bullets go where pointed (as opposed to GI Green Tip with wildly varying lot-to-lot accuracy). Directly after 9-11 a 5th Group truck arrived at the AMU ammo dock and left with a metric ass-load of 77s for SPRs.

Powell River Laboratories and DRT ammunition use the same sintered tungsten and polymer core frangible bullets designed by "Bubba" Beal in Tennessee. With cores heavier than lead they fly true at long to very long range and hit well -- they are, however, designed to come apart if they contact something hard (walls, steel, etc.).

The heaviest (limited availability) lead-core magazine-length bullet is the Hornady 82-grain for hand loaders.

None of this makes a bit of difference if you can't hit the damn target -- paper, animal, goblin, or Hajji.

Most M4gery shooters don't shoot much past 50-100 yards. Someone who doesn't handload will do well with 55-grain plain box Winchester, Federal, etc.

06-14-2010, 09:57	#71
Sinister Quiet Professional Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 261	5.56mm "Heavies" Precision 5.56mm ammunition has evolved from the initial tasking by Colonel Mac Johnson, USAMU Commander, to the Army Rifle Team gunsmiths back in the early 90s. The force does not shoot M14s. His tasking and direction was to make the M16 a Camp Perry-winning platform. The rest is history as the rifles left the shop to "Let the ass-kickings begin." The M16 has since broken nearly all M14 records including the Interservice 10-man team score that stood for over 25 years. The 69-grain Sierra Match King is roughly the same length as the M855 Ball bullet -- the solid lead core weighs slightly more than Green Tip's steel penetrator but is a hell of a lot more accurate to 500 yards. It is more sensitive to wind past 300 yards than heavier bullets but provided the Army Team with the highest "X-count" on NRA targets at 200 and 300 yards. The Berger 73 is the most accurate "Heavy" to 300-500. It was tested and used for several seasons, however it is also blown around a little more than 75s and 77s at 300, 500, and 600 yards (where the M16 is expected to hit E-type silhouettes in the rapid-fire National Infantry Trophy Team Match). The reason it is not the bullet in Mark 262 is Walt and Eunice Berger retired in the critical period when competitive teams needed a consistent bullet source and no one knew whether or not Berger bullets would be produced after Walt retired -- hence Hornady 75s and Sierra 77s got the nod). Both 69s and 73s generally shoot well in 1-9 twist or faster commercial barrels. Hornady 75s and 77s are good bullets to 500-600 yards. They fly true and hit where you aim. You get more kills because the bullets go where pointed (as opposed to GI Green Tip with wildly varying lot-to-lot accuracy). Directly after 9-11 a 5th Group truck arrived at the AMU ammo dock and left with a metric ass-load of 77s for SPRs. Powell River Laboratories and DRT ammunition use the same sintered tungsten and polymer core frangible bullets designed by "Bubba" Beal in Tennessee. With cores heavier than lead they fly true at long to very long range and hit well -- they are, however, designed to come apart if they contact something hard (walls, steel, etc.). The heaviest (limited availability) lead-core magazine-length bullet is the Hornady 82-grain for hand loaders. None of this makes a bit of difference if you can't hit the damn target -- paper, animal, goblin, or Hajji. Most M4gery shooters don't shoot much past 50-100 yards. Someone who doesn't handload will do well with 55-grain plain box Winchester, Federal, etc. Last edited by Sinister; 06-14-2010 at 10:07.
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