Chrono Data - Federal XM223SP1 62gr Bonded

[DRT]

Temp = 58F
Elevation = 1300'
prochrono @ 15'

Federal XM223SP1
62gr bonded .223
20" Colt 5.56mm 1x7", freefloated with 3x9 Nikon Scope
Lot # 49P659X005

2777
2743
2760
2751
2778
-------
2762 fps ave (relatively mild for a 20" barrel)

Other observations: Accuracy was reasonably good at about 2MOA (1") at 50yards, much better than 62gr Remington Core Lokt Ultra Bonded, but not as good as 75gr Hornady 5.56mm TAP in this rifle. I also shot it into water at close range and it did not hold together as well as the 62gr Remington that was going probably 75fps faster. Bottom line is it's a relatively cheap ($9.90/20 rounds), reasonably accurate load that maintains decent, but not spectacular, bullet integrity.

[Stump70]

Seems weak. Did you by chance measure COAL? Would be grateful to get a charge weight on a pulled round.

[DRT]

Seems weak. Did you by chance measure COAL? Would be grateful to get a charge weight on a pulled round.

Not the most powerful .223 for sure, but I honestly think that this bullet would do better, by that I mean hold together better, when fired out of a shorter barrel with less velocity.

COAL = 2.231" (via lyman dial caliper)
Charge Wt. = 24.2gr (Wonder how this compares to the 64gr Gold Dot?)
Bullet Wt. = 61.8gr (somewhat mangled getting it out of the case since I don't have a bullet puller)

Weights measured with an old RCBS beem scale.

[Stump70]

Thanks DRT. I have 62gr and 64gr pulls of this flavor and am trying to figure out some loadings for them. 24.2 grs. would explain the slow velocity. That would only be about 2500fps out of 16" or shorter barrels.

[Ironman8]

These rounds were designed to expand and perform at much lower velocities though I'm sure...

And thanks for the info!

[DRT]

These rounds were designed to expand and perform at much lower velocities though I'm sure...

And thanks for the info!

I think you are spot on. They definitely expand. Water at close range is tough on a bullet but I bet they'd do much better in a 10.5"-14.5" weapon. They probably won't come apart so much at the lower speeds.

[DRT]

Thanks DRT. I have 62gr and 64gr pulls of this flavor and am trying to figure out some loadings for them. 24.2 grs. would explain the slow velocity. That would only be about 2500fps out of 16" or shorter barrels.

My experience is that my 16" LE6920 generally runs about 4% slower than my 20" rifle. I'm guessing that'll put them in the 2650fps range. I'll chronograph them out of my carbine next time I have a chance just to confirm.

I dont reload .223 but you got my interest up so I did a search and found this.

http://beta.ar15.com/archive/topic.h...&f=16&t=510446

Very similar COAL and 24.1gr so I guess it's typical. What charge weights have you measured in your fusion and gold dot?

[Stump70]

My experience is that my 16" LE6920 generally runs about 4% slower than my 20" rifle. I'm guessing that'll put them in the 2650fps range. I'll chronograph them out of my carbine next time I have a chance just to confirm.

I dont reload .223 but you got my interest up so I did a search and found this.

http://beta.ar15.com/archive/topic.h...&f=16&t=510446

Very similar COAL and 24.1gr so I guess it's typical. What charge weights have you measured in your fusion and gold dot?

I am reloading these, so don't have factory ammo to compare with.I was doing accuracy testing on loads from 24.4 up to 25.6 on the 64grainers, 25.6 having the best results.Around 25 is what the 62 grain Fusions liked. Not trying to start this into a reloading thread.

I appreciate the testing and the info.

[shootist~]

I chronographed lot number 49Q660X005 this morning in a 14.5" DD LW and a 16" Noveske N4 Light. Both are chrome lined barrels. From a velocity standpoint the 14.5" gun was surprisingly slow at < 2,500 FPS. Not sure if it's a slow barrel or if the powder does not perform well at this barrel length.

Temp: ~56*.
Altitude: 5,000'
PACT Chronograph at 10'.
Wind 10+ early. Worse later.


14.5 DD LW - 10 shot string:
(Cold/Dirty barrel.)

Avg - 2,469 fps
H - 2,564
L - 2,405

16" N4 Light - String 1; 11 shots:
(Cold/Clean barrel).

Avg - 2,583
H - 2,622
L - 2,518

[16" N4 Light - String 2; 10 shots:
(Cool/Dirty barrel).

Avg - 2,586
H - 2,629
L - 2,548

It's interesting that the 16" barrel ran over 100 fps faster. This makes a huge difference if shooting any distance at all.

With the 16" N4 and Aimpoint Micro, I got a rough 200M zero using +2" high on the 100 Yd gong. I was then able to get consistent hits by going to the top edge of an 18x18" gong at 300 Meters. Warm and fuzzy on this part.

Temp = 58F
Elevation = 1300'
prochrono @ 15'

Federal XM223SP1
62gr bonded .223
20" Colt 5.56mm 1x7", freefloated with 3x9 Nikon Scope
Lot # 49P659X005

2777
2743
2760
2751
2778
-------
2762 fps ave (relatively mild for a 20" barrel)

[Ironman8]

I'm really interested in seeing the velocity out of a 10.5".

I would think that the velocity would still be high enough to expand reliably, but hopefully I could get a good 100 yds out of it (ballistics wise)