.223 gel test: Federal 62 gr Fusion

General Firearms Terminal Ballistic Information
1

//youtu.be/otou1Fws4cQ

Link for phones that don’t embed.

Federal 62 gr Fusion was fired from 16" and 11.5" barrels into calibrated 10% gelatin. Two different hand loads were used to get a significant variation in velocity to simulate down range effect. The reduced charge used in the SBR test represents what the full power load could do at about 475 yards.

BB: 597.1 fps, 3.4"

16" barrel, 24.5 gr TAC results:

Impact velocity: 3,024 fps
Penetration: greater than 14" (exited 14" geek block but did not enter water jug)
Retained weight: 36.6 gr
Neck: less than 0.25"
TSC: 2" x 7"
Max expansion: 0.535"

11.5" barrel, 14 gr IMR 4064 results:

Impact velocity: 1,703 fps
Penetration: 14" gel + 6" water
Retained weight: 61.5 gr
Neck: 0.5"
TSC: 1.5" x 4"
Max expansion: 0.384"
Min expansion: 0.264"
Min expansion: 0.352"

2

That velcoity seems a bit extreme out of a 16" barrel. I believe Molon’s chrono data has the fusion load going well under 2900fps out of a 20" barrel.

3

That’s because he tested the factory load.

4

Great post. Whats your conclusion about the performance of that round at 1700fps? Also, do you know what the SBR chrono’s with the full power load?

5

I have to start with the caveat that I am no expert. The expansion at 1,700 fps did look pretty decent. I would be confident with this bullet for home defense and SHTF.

I did not shot the full power load from the SBR but I’ll probably do some more testing with this bullet, assuming there is enough interest.

6

Thank you. Once again, a great thread. I’m very interested in more as this round is extremely popular (my goto), but there is little GOOD testing out there.

7

Dang, that’s a good test; Even at the SBR/low power load, it expanded pretty well. I think I might have to grab a few boxes next time I see it.

8

I’m very interested in this round as well. I’d love to know the performance differences when fired from a barrel with a 1:7 twist and a 1:9 twist.

9

Cool test! Thanks for doing the hard work & sharing the results.

10

Great test, and real good idea testing high and low. I’ve been slowing purchasing up a supply of this, a box or two every week.

Currently have my HD rifles loaded with Prvi 75gr, considering swapping out to the fusion eventually.

11

Thank you. Same here. My HD and first line SHTF mags are all full of 75 gr PPU but this is looking to be a real strong contender.

12

Always a good idea to have multiple quality rounds to choose from, especially the way supply has been.

Thinking that maybe the PPU is better for HD rounds, and the Fusion might be better when a barrier blind load is required.

We gotta get you into doing some gel tests for .300blk. Not a lot of loads that have had good gel tests done so far.

13

I certainly wouldn’t complain if you sent me a 12" .300 Blackout upper. :wink:

14

I think it would be easier for you to bring a gel block to Vegas. Besides, I only have a 10.5" upper. :cool:

15

Easier for who? :smiley:

16

Both will stabilize the 62g pill, so assuming they are the same barrel lenth it should be indistinguishable.

17

Wow. Impressive. Amazing what such a small round can do huh? :wink: