.223 62gr Fusion MSR vs 5.56mm 77gr Black Hills TMK

[ABNAK]

One is "barrier blind" but at a .223 velocity. The other is not and runs at 5.56mm NATO pressures.

I know the usual choice is "get both" but if you had to pick one for slightly-more-than-home-defense purposes, which would it be?

[BobinNC]

In my view I see the 62 grain Fusion (or Gold Dot) as a superb sub-300 yd house cleaning round. The 77 TMK I view as a superb north of 300 yd round for neighborhood sanitation. Much depends on your platform, short barrels ergo shorter range engagements, and usually non-magnified Red Dot sights. Longer barrels ergo longer range engagements if your skill, barrel and magnified optics allows.

For what it worth I run the 62 grain Gold Dot handloaded to 5.56 pressure, and the 77 TMK in 5.56 pressure handloads or the 77 SMK in the form of IMI factory loads. I also handload the 77 Nosler CC to 5.56 pressures.

The 62's I run in my 16" GPR with Holosun Red Dot, and the 77 grainers in my 18" SPR with Trijicon 2-10x36mm scope.

For practice I run handloaded 68 grain Hornady's in both loaded to just over 223 Max pressure (light 5.56).

IMHO and YMMV

[Pappabear]

For HD, I would choose Fusion and I have been slightly impressed with its accuracy as well. I think it was another caliber but it shot well.

PB

[Ned Christiansen]

The Fusion has impressed me in 7.62X39 and M1 carbine, accuracy-wise. Oddly I've never gel-tested in in .223 but we do test Federal Tactical Bonded twice a year and it's very good, I've been wondering if they are the same bullet. We shot some Fusion the other day from a Stag barrel and it was between 1.5 and 2 MOA.

[Ned Christiansen]

This just in. The two bullets are both bonded 62's but are not the same bullet.

[SBRSarge]

The Fusion has impressed me in 7.62X39 and M1 carbine, accuracy-wise. Oddly I've never gel-tested in in .223 but we do test Federal Tactical Bonded twice a year and it's very good, I've been wondering if they are the same bullet. We shot some Fusion the other day from a Stag barrel and it was between 1.5 and 2 MOA.

Hey Ned,

Do you do factory gel tests with Vista (or any other manufacturer), or do you do them on your own? I have a new range guy I am breaking in and would love to get him to a ballistics gel test demonstration.

[Ned Christiansen]

Hey Ned,

Do you do factory gel tests with Vista (or any other manufacturer), or do you do them on your own? I have a new range guy I am breaking in and would love to get him to a ballistics gel test demonstration.

We do it as part of a five-day (LE) Patrol Rifle class... been doing them twice a season for over twenty years, our instructor who does it went to Federal for the training on how-to, many years ago.

This year, we skipped it for the first 5-day.... not sure about the next one. I hope we don't drop it from the program.

[Todd.K]

Gold Dot and Fusion share the same bullet.

I’m completely over chasing velocity and NATO pressure ammo. Running with less safety margin, really needing crimped primers, and “fragmentation range” are not as important when we have lower velocity opening bonded options. My opinion.

Unless you need the precision of heavy OTM, barrier blind is recommended for it’s more consistent terminal performance.

[B Cart]

I personally run 62gr Gold Dot in my defensive guns, and the accuracy is decent. I like having a bonded barrier blind bullet with reliable expansion. If i was planning on doing most of my shooting past 200-300 yards, i might opt for the 77.

[markm]

I’m completely over chasing velocity and NATO pressure ammo. Running with less safety margin, really needing crimped primers, and “fragmentation range” are not as important when we have lower velocity opening bonded options. My opinion.

Unless you need the precision of heavy OTM, barrier blind is recommended for it’s more consistent terminal performance.

I've trending towards everything you posted. I'm moving from 11.5 to a 14.5 Home D gun and would like to enjoy the reliability of .223 pressure ammo again. (the longer barrel will make up velocity)

My only concern is POI shift. I just have to test/confirm, then dedicate a carbine to a 62gr zero if needed.