Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Rifles and Shotguns > Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles Dedicated to the Smith & Wesson M&P-15 Rifles


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-24-2012, 04:00 PM
Mots0311's Avatar
Mots0311 Mots0311 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Default 55 grain vs. 62 grain

When it comes to all the variables to an AR its easy to start over thinking stuff. Lately I started wondering if 55 grain ammo had enough stopping power. The civilian market seems to be geared towards 55 grain ammo, at least in the carbine catagory and optics and such are tuned to 55 grain ballistics. The standard M-16a2 I shot in the Marines was 62 grain ball. I know theres differences in barrel length and rifle twists that have a lot to do with the best performance of ammo and etc, etc.
I was curious if anyone experimented with both ammo and found much difference at say 200 yards. I would assume there would be more bullet drop with the 62 grains naturally but enough to really matter? I'm really more concerned with a carbine rifle and if its a good option to consider. Or am I just thinking to much into this??
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-24-2012, 04:10 PM
oneyeopn's Avatar
oneyeopn oneyeopn is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ford, Ks
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 5,343
Liked 2,270 Times in 1,273 Posts
Default

SemperFi brother. When I was in we shot 55gr M193. I havent tried them but from what I have read the 62 grain bullets are not quite as accurate but that is just from reading. I myself am wondering about 75 to 77 grain bullets
__________________
Grover Oathkeeper
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 06-24-2012, 04:13 PM
MPDC's Avatar
MPDC MPDC is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: sw Florida
Posts: 664
Likes: 77
Liked 178 Times in 116 Posts
Default

Stopping power how or rather for what? The steel core, 62 gr stuff will penetrate better but. the 55 should fragment more.

For short range, anti personnel use as in home defense hollow point is probably a better choice.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 06-24-2012, 05:08 PM
storeyteller's Avatar
storeyteller storeyteller is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southwest GA
Posts: 988
Likes: 521
Liked 461 Times in 294 Posts
Default

Ballistics Calculator says 0.2" drop diff. at 200yds with 100yd zero (0.6" with 50yd zero). BTW I have shot those green tip 62's at some steel targets. They penetrate 1/4" steel like a drill and make nasty divets in 1/2". Some scary stuff!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-24-2012, 05:41 PM
KeithR KeithR is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 223
Likes: 112
Liked 71 Times in 44 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by storeyteller View Post
BTW I have shot those green tip 62's at some steel targets. They penetrate 1/4" steel like a drill and make nasty divets in 1/2". Some scary stuff!
And that is why it is usually not allowed at ranges.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-24-2012, 07:42 PM
isaidme1 isaidme1 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Waco, Texas
Posts: 109
Likes: 21
Liked 23 Times in 16 Posts
Default

My M&P AR wont even stabilize a 62gr green tip bullet. I was shooting 8" high with a scattered pattern at 50 yards. 55gr xm193 shoots good tight groups. I am going to have to ditch this 1/9 twist barrel asap.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-24-2012, 07:58 PM
GMC man GMC man is offline
US Veteran
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 592
Likes: 751
Liked 305 Times in 193 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by oneyeopn View Post
SemperFi brother. When I was in we shot 55gr M193. I havent tried them but from what I have read the 62 grain bullets are not quite as accurate but that is just from reading. I myself am wondering about 75 to 77 grain bullets
Semper Fi , I also was using the M193 in the Corps, the reason I have read that the steel core rounds are not as accurate is there is a void formed at the tip unlike the lead core which is solid and the void is not the same shape in each round throwing the round off a little.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-24-2012, 09:17 PM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: God's Country
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 1,235
Liked 3,535 Times in 1,770 Posts
Default

If you are talking two legged varmints, there is a reason the military is beginning to use 77gr. OTM. I've never shot it so I'm not sure if it will stabilize in a 1-9 twist.

Winchester 64gr Power-Point is designed as a deer load. Any load using Barnes TSX would be a good choice. Over penetration is not an issue if you hit what you are shooting at. If you miss, it's a problem with any load.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 06-24-2012, 09:21 PM
GMC man GMC man is offline
US Veteran
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 592
Likes: 751
Liked 305 Times in 193 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganScott View Post
. Over penetration is not an issue if you hit what you are shooting at. If you miss, it's a problem with any load.
Ain't that the truth at the range its called maggies drawers
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-24-2012, 09:35 PM
oneyeopn's Avatar
oneyeopn oneyeopn is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ford, Ks
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 5,343
Liked 2,270 Times in 1,273 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidme1 View Post
My M&P AR wont even stabilize a 62gr green tip bullet. I was shooting 8" high with a scattered pattern at 50 yards. 55gr xm193 shoots good tight groups. I am going to have to ditch this 1/9 twist barrel asap.
What model M&P15 do you have with the 1-9 barrel. and the 62 grain xm855 is inherently not as stable as the 55 grain or basically any bullet that doesnt have the steel core. The steel core is not perfectly centered and therefore doesnt stabilize as well as the other weight bullets.
__________________
Grover Oathkeeper
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-24-2012, 10:09 PM
RainDodger's Avatar
RainDodger RainDodger is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: The Great Northwest
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Liked 47 Times in 21 Posts
Default

Well, I'll tell you. I get decent/satisfactory groups out of M855 with my Sport. I get somewhat less decent groups out of the 193 (55 grain). The 855s seem more consistent. That goes for my 20" SGW also, which is a 1:9 SS barrel. With the 193s, my groups opened up about an inch, and I'd get an occasional flyer at maybe 2".. so, I don't shoot much 193 anymore. But I don't shoot much 855 either, as I'm a handloader. That's what I found though.

What works the very best in both are my handloads, which are 60 grain Sierra Varminter hollowpoints (Sierra #1375). Very nice groups; tighter than either the 193s or the 855s.

I figure, shooting with an EoTech that has a "1MOA dot" and no magnification, a baseball-sized group at 100 yards is just fine. It will do the job that the rifle is made for. If I want to shoot bullseye or want to really reach and touch someone/something, I have other, more suitable armaments.... and I want to stress that I feel the Sport and it's barrel are very capable of doing that with the correct optics on board.
__________________
Roger
USN, Retired, NRA Lifer
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #12  
Old 06-24-2012, 10:28 PM
MPDC's Avatar
MPDC MPDC is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: sw Florida
Posts: 664
Likes: 77
Liked 178 Times in 116 Posts
Default

My OR stabilizes 855 , at least at 100 yds. I don't shoot much of it because it costs more than 193. Stabilization becomes more critical with longer distances but up close , even heavy HP defensive rounds will stabilize fine.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #13  
Old 06-24-2012, 10:38 PM
Mots0311's Avatar
Mots0311 Mots0311 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by oneyeopn View Post
SemperFi brother. When I was in we shot 55gr M193. I havent tried them but from what I have read the 62 grain bullets are not quite as accurate but that is just from reading. I myself am wondering about 75 to 77 grain bullets
I thought the Marine Corps always used the M855 ball. I was in the early 90s where carbine length rifles was a BIG no no. In which I am glad to see that attitude has change since the Iraq war. Did you use the M193 with an M4?

Semper FI!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-25-2012, 12:01 AM
GMC man GMC man is offline
US Veteran
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 592
Likes: 751
Liked 305 Times in 193 Posts
Default

I was in from 1985-1989 and we had the M16 A2 and the A1 was still being used mostly for the MP's
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-25-2012, 12:17 AM
isaidme1 isaidme1 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Waco, Texas
Posts: 109
Likes: 21
Liked 23 Times in 16 Posts
Default

oneyeopn just the standard M&P15 model. I could have got a bad box but alot of people have problems with 1/9 twist barrels and some have gotten lucky. I was one of the unlucky ones, it looked like I was shooting a shotgun.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 06-25-2012, 03:04 AM
imku imku is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pearl Harbor Hawaii
Posts: 42
Likes: 52
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidme1 View Post
My M&P AR wont even stabilize a 62gr green tip bullet. I was shooting 8" high with a scattered pattern at 50 yards. 55gr xm193 shoots good tight groups. I am going to have to ditch this 1/9 twist barrel asap.
This might not have anything to do with your problem, but the first time i sighted in the magpul gen II flip sights shooting 62grain it was 6" to 8" high.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 06-25-2012, 11:39 AM
oneyeopn's Avatar
oneyeopn oneyeopn is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ford, Ks
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 5,343
Liked 2,270 Times in 1,273 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mots0311 View Post
I thought the Marine Corps always used the M855 ball. I was in the early 90s where carbine length rifles was a BIG no no. In which I am glad to see that attitude has change since the Iraq war. Did you use the M193 with an M4?

Semper FI!
Gentleman, I was in 75-79. We used the M193 with M16A1's. The Army may have had the A2's by then but we didnt. I disliked Mattels toy so much that as soon as I got to the position where I could, when I got to the fleet, I always humped an M60. That was firepower LMAO!!
__________________
Grover Oathkeeper
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #18  
Old 06-25-2012, 02:39 PM
isaidme1 isaidme1 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Waco, Texas
Posts: 109
Likes: 21
Liked 23 Times in 16 Posts
Default

imku, this was while using a scope that had been zeroed on xm193 ammo. I knew it was going to be off slightly but the scattering pattern is whats bothering me. It really does resemble shotgun peppering.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-25-2012, 03:01 PM
storeyteller's Avatar
storeyteller storeyteller is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southwest GA
Posts: 988
Likes: 521
Liked 461 Times in 294 Posts
Default

Different guns like different ammo, even guns made by the same manufacturer with the same twist rate. Find what it likes and shoot it.

"If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward".
Thomas A. Edison
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #20  
Old 06-25-2012, 03:50 PM
bigedp51 bigedp51 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 409
Likes: 6
Liked 399 Times in 195 Posts
Default

Weatherby rifles and cartridges are famous for their sizzling hot muzzle velocities. They do this with a longer throat or free bore than a standard rifle to allow the bullet to get a running start at the rifling and thus lower the chamber pressure. You also wont see any standard Weatherby rifles winning any bench rest competition with these long throated rifles because they are not as accurate.

I have a AR HBAR with a 1 in 9 twist and a bull barrel .223 bolt action with a 1 in 9 twist and they both like 55 grain bullets and are very accurate.

In my opinion the military didn't do anyone a favor by going to the M855 round with the M193 round being more accurate and having better stopping power. On the flip side of this the troops in Viet Nam complained that the M16 lacked penetration when firing through obstacles, barriers, etc compaired to the M14 or M60 which would go through them and hit the VC or NVA.

Last edited by bigedp51; 06-25-2012 at 03:58 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #21  
Old 06-25-2012, 04:56 PM
oneyeopn's Avatar
oneyeopn oneyeopn is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ford, Ks
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 5,343
Liked 2,270 Times in 1,273 Posts
Default

55gr seems to be the most common and best all around bullet for rifles in the 1-7 to 1-9 range. The other weight bullets have jobs in which they are very good at and better than the 55gr but for all around plinking or 100 yard or less target shooting the 55gr seems to set the standard. I will eventually load some 75 to 77 just because at longer distances they receive less deflection from wind and such but it is the length of the bullet and not the weight that does the work. Some Coyote hunting friends of mine in GA swear by the 52 or 53 grain bullet, they claim it is longer than the 55 and sails better, this too I will check out.
__________________
Grover Oathkeeper
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 06-25-2012, 05:26 PM
storeyteller's Avatar
storeyteller storeyteller is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southwest GA
Posts: 988
Likes: 521
Liked 461 Times in 294 Posts
Default

I'll swear by the 53's. Havn't shot the 52's cause I got the 53's first!
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 06-25-2012, 05:47 PM
imku imku is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pearl Harbor Hawaii
Posts: 42
Likes: 52
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidme1 View Post
imku, this was while using a scope that had been zeroed on xm193 ammo. I knew it was going to be off slightly but the scattering pattern is whats bothering me. It really does resemble shotgun peppering.
I zeroed my red dot with xm855 @ 50yrds, and have about 1k of xm193. I'll be shooting it next range trip i take. I'm interested to see if I'm going to have similar results... With that said, I have a 1:8 twist, so its probably going to work differently.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 06-27-2012, 08:47 AM
jdad jdad is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 13 Posts
Default

This is a little more expensive than "plinking" XM855, but it sure shot better groups.


Ammunition To Go : 20rds - 5.56 Winchester ZQ3314 Open Tip 62gr. FBI Training Ammo [ZQ3314] - $12.95
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 06-27-2012, 09:58 AM
rebs081 rebs081 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 507
Likes: 58
Liked 191 Times in 109 Posts
Default

I talked to a guy at the range the other day and he was getting lousy groups with the green tipped rounds with the steel pin in them. I mean at 50 yds he was getting 6 to 8 inch groups. With his hand loads he was getting less than i" groups.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 06-27-2012, 10:51 AM
BoDog BoDog is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: central Kalifornia
Posts: 176
Likes: 71
Liked 22 Times in 14 Posts
Default

Each gun has its own preferances, generally The longer the bearing surface of the bullet the faster the rifling needs to be. The heavier the bullet and the length the bullet is at bore diameter will effect the accuracy. There are many variables including distance the bullet jump to the lead of the is. You have to load for each bullet in every gun,do you want minute of angle or minute of buck?
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #27  
Old 06-27-2012, 10:50 PM
batmann batmann is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Greenwood, IN USA
Posts: 446
Likes: 18
Liked 67 Times in 49 Posts
Default

I'm not a very good shot, but my M&P likes the 55 gr FMJ better than the 62 gr Green tip @ 100 yards. Mine is a 1/9 twist and I'm not sure how it will stabilize heavier rounds.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 06-28-2012, 08:35 AM
storeyteller's Avatar
storeyteller storeyteller is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southwest GA
Posts: 988
Likes: 521
Liked 461 Times in 294 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by batmann View Post
I'm not a very good shot, but my M&P likes the 55 gr FMJ better than the 62 gr Green tip @ 100 yards. Mine is a 1/9 twist and I'm not sure how it will stabilize heavier rounds.
1:9 twist should be good up to 70gr.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 06-28-2012, 08:55 AM
MPDC's Avatar
MPDC MPDC is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: sw Florida
Posts: 664
Likes: 77
Liked 178 Times in 116 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by storeyteller View Post
1:9 twist should be good up to 70gr.
This is the accepted wisdom. All else being equal, at shorter distances, 1:9 bbl.s stabilize almost anything. This ability diminishes with range BUT at 50 yards you shouldn't notice variances not due to inherent characteristics of the ammo in any bbl.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #30  
Old 06-28-2012, 10:48 PM
rojodiablo rojodiablo is offline
Banned
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 613
Liked 1,190 Times in 626 Posts
Default

I can tell you one thing, that is a certainty: XM855 and Wolf WPA ammo are equally as accurate, with XM193 being a bit more accurate and it does hold a bit better groups.

Federal Fusion hunting ammo in 62 gr. is really, really accurate stuff.
Reply With Quote
  #31  
Old 06-29-2012, 10:53 AM
storeyteller's Avatar
storeyteller storeyteller is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Southwest GA
Posts: 988
Likes: 521
Liked 461 Times in 294 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPDC View Post
This is the accepted wisdom. All else being equal, at shorter distances, 1:9 bbl.s stabilize almost anything. This ability diminishes with range BUT at 50 yards you shouldn't notice variances not due to inherent characteristics of the ammo in any bbl.
Also my experience, although I must admit, I don't shoot at 50yds. My 1:9 twist RRA will shoot 70gr bullets 1 MOA, while 80gr bullets are 3 MOA and keyholed at 300yds. As you get closer to point blank range the groups will tighten up but this is true with any barrel whether it is rifled or smoothbore.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #32  
Old 06-29-2012, 01:34 PM
MPDC's Avatar
MPDC MPDC is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: sw Florida
Posts: 664
Likes: 77
Liked 178 Times in 116 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by storeyteller View Post
Also my experience, although I must admit, I don't shoot at 50yds. My 1:9 twist RRA will shoot 70gr bullets 1 MOA, while 80gr bullets are 3 MOA and keyholed at 300yds. As you get closer to point blank range the groups will tighten up but this is true with any barrel whether it is rifled or smoothbore.
Yes, the actual number that has been mentioned by ballistic folks on other sites has usually been deterioration begins about 200 yards. I mentioned fifty because many consider the home defense, anti personnel rounds used by Police departments as not good for their home defense with an AR. I am a proponent of the AR for home defense as opposed to a shotgun but that is a different thread.

At the distances contemplated for AR use in home defense or close quarter combat (which is the realm of unmagnified red dots and 1-4 power scopes many of us buy) the heavier, hollow point anti personnel rounds produced by Hornady, etc. will serve just fine and have the same advantages they offer in 1/7 bbls. Of course the 1/8 bbl. will also do fine with it, even at longer than the 200 yd. distances I had mentioned.

Very long military rounds, intended really as mid distance sniper rounds that can be used in ARs without going to larger calibers, may present problems due to their lengths and require as fast a twist as possible.

An interesting sidenote is that in the early years of military use of the AR, the tendency of the bullet to spin, end over end, was touted as a big advantage in close quarter combat and the twist rates were much higher (like 1/12) than in common use today.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #33  
Old 07-29-2012, 11:50 PM
imku imku is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pearl Harbor Hawaii
Posts: 42
Likes: 52
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Talking M855 vs XM193

Finally got back out to the range and was looking for differences between the two for my rifle (1/8 twist). I am shooting off the bench with a rest, no magnification using a Aimpoint PRO (2MOA dot). The M855 is Federal and XM193 is American Eagle. 200 rounds each, 15 rounds per group. In my opinion, the XM193 was slightly more accurate holding groups of 3-6", the M855 was 4-8"...I almost always have a flyer. Here a pic of a 15 round group of XM193 and my best lookin 5 round group of M855. Targets are 1" squares
Attached Images
File Type: jpg target.jpg (57.4 KB, 577 views)
File Type: jpg 5 round.jpg (71.5 KB, 568 views)

Last edited by imku; 07-30-2012 at 12:37 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #34  
Old 07-30-2012, 03:05 AM
gunfighter48's Avatar
gunfighter48 gunfighter48 is offline
US Veteran
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Mill Creek, WA
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
Liked 171 Times in 93 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RainDodger View Post
Well, I'll tell you. I get decent/satisfactory groups out of M855 with my Sport. I get somewhat less decent groups out of the 193 (55 grain). The 855s seem more consistent. That goes for my 20" SGW also, which is a 1:9 SS barrel. With the 193s, my groups opened up about an inch, and I'd get an occasional flyer at maybe 2".. so, I don't shoot much 193 anymore.
The best I could do with my Sport with M193 was 3 - 5 shot groups into a 3X4" box at 100 yards. I put a free float handguard on my Sport and 3 shot groups with M193 were cloverleafs at 100 yards, when I could hold still enough to get good groups. Here's the M193 at 100 yards 3 shot groups. The red bullseye is 1.5" in diameter.

My Sport really likes PMC 223 55 grain. Gets even smaller groups at 100 yards.

__________________
gunfighter48
NRA Life Member
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #35  
Old 07-30-2012, 03:31 AM
Culina's Avatar
Culina Culina is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DPRK (CA)
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 367
Liked 1,273 Times in 466 Posts
Default

I shot a 200 yard 100/100 3x at Saturdays highpower match, rapid sitting with 69gr Sierra matchkings. It was a group of just under 6" so I guess at 100 yards that would be about a 3" group. Not great as far as groups go but good enough. I am trying to shoot up all my 69gr ammo so I can switch over to 77's since that is the new cats meaw for 223/5.56

I load the pull down M855 projectiles for my wife to shoot, at her favorite distance of 50yards, I can't tell any difference between the M193 and M855, both of these rifles are 1/7 though.
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 07-30-2012, 05:45 AM
ParadiseRoad's Avatar
ParadiseRoad ParadiseRoad is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,774
Likes: 17,025
Liked 39,804 Times in 7,848 Posts
Default



...168 grain works for me...
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #37  
Old 07-30-2012, 12:45 PM
Matthew Courtney Matthew Courtney is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 11
Liked 80 Times in 44 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidme1 View Post
My M&P AR wont even stabilize a 62gr green tip bullet. I was shooting 8" high with a scattered pattern at 50 yards. 55gr xm193 shoots good tight groups. I am going to have to ditch this 1/9 twist barrel asap.
Green tip is less accurate than many loads out of most guns. Before you spend big $ to replace a barrel, try some other 62-69 grain projectiles.
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 07-30-2012, 04:18 PM
Wraith413's Avatar
Wraith413 Wraith413 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 54
Liked 18 Times in 14 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ParadiseRoad View Post


...168 grain works for me...
*drools*
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 07-30-2012, 10:17 PM
Maddmax's Avatar
Maddmax Maddmax is offline
US Veteran
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: N.E. Iowa Boondocks USA
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 5,524
Liked 1,597 Times in 993 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by oneyeopn View Post
55gr seems to be the most common and best all around bullet for rifles in the 1-7 to 1-9 range. The other weight bullets have jobs in which they are very good at and better than the 55gr but for all around plinking or 100 yard or less target shooting the 55gr seems to set the standard. I will eventually load some 75 to 77 just because at longer distances they receive less deflection from wind and such but it is the length of the bullet and not the weight that does the work. Some Coyote hunting friends of mine in GA swear by the 52 or 53 grain bullet, they claim it is longer than the 55 and sails better, this too I will check out.
Might also try 52 grain BT hollow points using IMR 4895 powder. Very stable out past 250+ yards and plenty of knockdown for Coyote. Mini 14 with a wide angle 3-9x40 scope.
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 07-30-2012, 10:27 PM
Maddmax's Avatar
Maddmax Maddmax is offline
US Veteran
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: N.E. Iowa Boondocks USA
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 5,524
Liked 1,597 Times in 993 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ParadiseRoad View Post


...168 grain works for me...

Nice seeing an old best friend that could and would reach out and touch at 800 yards. Reliable and one of the best.
Reply With Quote
  #41  
Old 07-30-2012, 11:52 PM
ParadiseRoad's Avatar
ParadiseRoad ParadiseRoad is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,774
Likes: 17,025
Liked 39,804 Times in 7,848 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maddmax View Post
Nice seeing an old best friend that could and would reach out and touch at 800 yards. Reliable and one of the best.
...Patton said the Garand was "the greatest battle implement ever devised"...well...the M-14 is...SUPER GARAND!...
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 07-31-2012, 02:23 AM
Chromedhearts Chromedhearts is offline
US Veteran
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Alabama
Posts: 565
Likes: 383
Liked 620 Times in 202 Posts
Default

Plus one on the comment on Fusion 62 grn. Very accurate out to 200 yds. Out of my old Armalite.
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 07-31-2012, 10:02 PM
Stainless44 Stainless44 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 236
Liked 578 Times in 192 Posts
Default

If you're concerned with "stopping power" then I don't know if I'd use any of the military's experience with your decision. While the 5.56 has had it's detractors as a fight stopper...those were based off military FMJ ammo.

As a civilian you can use hollow-point, soft-point, etc, which will have much different terminal ballistics than military FMJ ammo.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #44  
Old 08-01-2012, 07:10 AM
jsimmons's Avatar
jsimmons jsimmons is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
Liked 73 Times in 56 Posts
Default

Optimum bullet weight is determined by barrel ROT. A 1:9 barrel should be able to handle everything up to about 75GR.

I shoot 62gr in both my 1:9 and my 1:8 barrels.

Regarding stabilization - a study was conducted (Army or Marines, I don't remember) that found the vast majority of infantry engagements happened with 75 yards (or less) separating opposing forces. If your standard engagement ammo stabilizes properly out to 100 yards, you're gold. If you're interested in longer ranges, get a faster barrel (1:8 or 1:7) and use heavier ammo (70+).

FWIW, the steel core stuff is used specifically for its penetration capabilities at close ranges (out to 100 yards), such as going through glass windshields, thin walls, and even steel plate, and not being affected by incidental contact with obstructions in the line of sight.

For practice, I use Tula 62gr, but my "ready" mags are filled with 855 steel core, and I have no problems with accuracy with either one, regardless of the rifle I use it in.
__________________
*Aim small, miss small...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #45  
Old 08-06-2012, 12:29 AM
NotObvious NotObvious is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Upper Midwest
Posts: 133
Likes: 13
Liked 43 Times in 30 Posts
Default

My DPMS 1:8 will shoot under MOA with 77gr SMK and 75gr OTM/Hornday and PPV.

My VTAC M&P will nearly match it out to 100yrds with no problem. It works "best" with the 68gr Hornady OTM handloads I feed it.

Both work equally well with 55gr XM193.

I stopped buying/shooting 62gr SS109/M855 stuff a while back. None of the ranges I shoot at like to see folks with steel core ammo these days.
Reply With Quote
  #46  
Old 08-06-2012, 07:47 AM
rebs081 rebs081 is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 507
Likes: 58
Liked 191 Times in 109 Posts
Default

what is the heaviest bullet that can be hand loaded and will fit in the magazine ?
Reply With Quote
  #47  
Old 08-06-2012, 10:40 AM
oneyeopn's Avatar
oneyeopn oneyeopn is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ford, Ks
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 5,343
Liked 2,270 Times in 1,273 Posts
Default

Rebs, I have read that 75 is about it although some people have been able to load 77's, all the 80's I have read about require hand insertion!
__________________
Grover Oathkeeper
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old 09-03-2014, 09:41 PM
Damn Yankee Damn Yankee is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Gulf Coast Mississippi
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 147
Liked 1,067 Times in 376 Posts
Default

Just ordered 500 LAKE CITY .224 62 GRAIN SS109 STEEL CORE BULLETS. Going to load a few with Accurate 2460 for SHTF and some 100 yard plinking. Has anyone used any of these bullets in their hand loading?

My rifle is Frankin with a 1:7 twist with a 3 power Nikon P223.
Reply With Quote
  #49  
Old 09-04-2014, 02:56 PM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: God's Country
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 1,235
Liked 3,535 Times in 1,770 Posts
Default

Zombie thread.

When I handload, I use quality bullets capable of good accuracy on target. The SS109 ain't one of them with the accuracy requirement being about 4 MOA. However, most guns will shoot 2" groups at 100 yards.
Reply With Quote
  #50  
Old 09-06-2014, 12:10 PM
L Pete L Pete is offline
Member
55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain 55 grain vs. 62 grain  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 665
Likes: 16
Liked 383 Times in 213 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganScott View Post
If you are talking two legged varmints, there is a reason the military is beginning to use 77gr. OTM. I've never shot it so I'm not sure if it will stabilize in a 1-9 twist.

Winchester 64gr Power-Point is designed as a deer load. Any load using Barnes TSX would be a good choice. Over penetration is not an issue if you hit what you are shooting at. If you miss, it's a problem with any load.
Well, I got my Sporty a few months ago. I bought some Winny made M855, and some of that Winchester 64 gr. PowerPoint, and headed to the range to sight in. Started shooting the M855, and got it sighted in, at 100 yds., and then started shooting for group. I got some nice 1.25 inch groups with the M855, and then, I started with the 64 gr. PowerPoints. When I checked my spotting scope after the first four shot group, I was amazed to see a tiny 4 shot group inside the 1.25 inch group of the M855. For me, social work will be done with the Winchester .223 64 gr. PowerPoints. I believe that they would do the job, quite handily.......
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Xtreme penetrater 350 grain vs 700 grain hardcast AveryR Ammo 8 03-09-2017 08:07 PM
9.5 Grain BE-86, 250 Grain RNFP, .45 Colt, S&W 625-3 Velocities Southern-Shooter Reloading 5 01-20-2017 05:42 PM
150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? kbm6893 Reloading 5 06-24-2014 06:55 PM
Hornady Free 9MM 115 Grain HP/XTP or .38 110 Grain HP/XPT? kbm6893 Reloading 4 06-15-2014 12:52 PM
.45ACP Carry Ammo: Corbon 185 grain JHP +P vs. 230 grain RN FMJ? perpster Ammo 35 04-24-2012 06:28 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:49 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)