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

[SBRSarge]

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?

For your use, I would not let the 223 v 556 pressure factor into the decision. Unless you need to reach wayyyy out, the difference wouldn’t be material.

I’d stick with the barrier blind choice. If I remember the FBI tests, the TMKs don’t hold together as well as a bonded bulet.

[vicious_cb]

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?

Well the alternative answer to "get both" is "it depends" is probably not the definite answer you are looking for. For general purpose use bonded all the way. If you are at a place you can take advantage of the increased BC like in an extended range LPVO carbine or SPR then TMK is a good option or conversely inside your house for HD for its devastating terminal ballistics and you don't have a bunch of hardwood furniture bad guys can hide behind. TMK will also penetrate one less interior wall or two depending on construction from some tests so MAYBE a good option if you live in an apartment complex. Its really up to your situation.

[ABNAK]

Well the alternative answer to "get both" is "it depends" is probably not the definite answer you are looking for. For general purpose use bonded all the way. If you are at a place you can take advantage of the increased BC like in an extended range LPVO carbine or SPR then TMK is a good option or conversely inside your house for HD for its devastating terminal ballistics and you don't have a bunch of hardwood furniture bad guys can hide behind. TMK will also penetrate one less interior wall or two depending on construction from some tests so MAYBE a good option if you live in an apartment complex. Its really up to your situation.

I think that may be the answer. They have great terminal ballistics AND are barrier blind. As BufordTJustice mentioned above the Fusion MSR seems to be loaded to the high end of .223 from chrono results I've seen online. From visual examination of the Fusion MSR and the vaunted "FBI Load" (62gr TBBC at 5.56 pressure), since I have both, it would "appear" that the Fusion will be more aerodynamic and therefore more accurate. The "FBI Load" tip is sloppier, with what looks like lead overspill and these are not factory seconds either. I've read where it isn't made necessarily for accuracy but terminal performance.

[jbdesigns]

These bullets are all great performers, but very expensive.

How many rounds are you all keeping on hand of these rounds? And do you practice with them at the range?

I might be guessing wrong, but I think many have a couple hundred of these grest rounds but don’t practice with them because they are expensive. And if you’re not practicing with them, how well do you know how they shoot in your rifle?

And if you do stack em deep, I don’t have the pockets to keep up with that


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[ABNAK]

These bullets are all great performers, but very expensive.

How many rounds are you all keeping on hand of these rounds? And do you practice with them at the range?

I might be guessing wrong, but I think many have a couple hundred of these grest rounds but don’t practice with them because they are expensive. And if you’re not practicing with them, how well do you know how they shoot in your rifle?

And if you do stack em deep, I don’t have the pockets to keep up with that

I've got 400rds of the Fusion MSR and am probably going to buy more. I haven't bought any TMK yet, but do have 1K of the IMI Razor OTMs. The Black Hills 5.56 TMK are $80 for a box of 50, so yeah they're pricey.

The fly in the ointment of these type of questions: where does the Barnes 70gr 5.56 TSX ("brown tip" clone) fall into the pecking order? It is also expensive but slightly less so than the TMK. It too is barrier blind and *should* do well at longer distances.....maybe the best of both worlds?

I also have 300rds of 64gr Gold Dot and 700+ of the "FBI Load" (XM556FBIT3 to be precise).

[prepare]

Wonder why the 62 grn Gold Dots are unobtainium?

[Disciple]

Wonder why the 62 grn Gold Dots are unobtainium?

The 55 and 75 grain GD are also absent from AmmoSeek.

[prepare]

The 55 and 75 grain GD are also absent from AmmoSeek.

They have been for quite awhile. I called them and they were unable or unwilling to tell me why or when it would be.

[MegademiC]

These bullets are all great performers, but very expensive.

How many rounds are you all keeping on hand of these rounds? And do you practice with them at the range?

I might be guessing wrong, but I think many have a couple hundred of these grest rounds but don’t practice with them because they are expensive. And if you’re not practicing with them, how well do you know how they shoot in your rifle?

And if you do stack em deep, I don’t have the pockets to keep up with that


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Can you hit a head on demand at 500yds with your setup?
How often do you practice that or a more demanding scenario?
How often do you practice to less demanding standards?

[MegademiC]

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?

62gr fusion is my first line serious ammo.

Its accurate and terminal performance in tests is great... also has a good rep with hunters.

First round :
- headshots @ 300yds
- czone @ 500yds
- with 11.5"