I was reading a thread on TOS concerning the possible differences in accuracy between Black Hills 77 grain 5.56 (red box) and 77 grain 5.56 factory seconds (white box). I had a question and thought it might be simpler to just ask it on their site rather than starting a new thread over here (first mistake). Average number of users online for the last 2 days on TOS has been around 7,000 and the particular thread I was reading had almost 800 views. Zero response. Bumped the thread and asked again - zero response. I thought it was a simple question. Maybe I hadn’t followed some unwritten protocol where I needed to “pay homage” before I am worthy of a response. Or maybe TOS is mostly comprised of airsoft warriors who don’t know the answer?? Like I said, I thought it was a simple question.
Here’s the question: Is Black Hills red box 5.56mm 77 Gr OTM, Black Hills white box 5.56mm 77 Gr Match HP (factory seconds made with SMK’s), and MK262 Mod 1 all one and the same?? Same powder, same brass and primers, same Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point bullet, same velocity, etc. (cosmetics aside on the white box factory seconds)?? It wasn’t clear to me from looking at the box label if the red box bullet is both cannelured and an SMK.
I read an article in this month’s issue of Shooting Times (may be remembering wrong) about this very thing.
According to them, the Black Hills red box labeled 5.56 77gr. OTM is the exact same round as the MK262 Mod 1 that comes in the cardboard box. I can’t comment on the white box though.
The propellants should be the same in all, but older MK262 used 77gr. Matchking bullets without the cannelure.
Thirty minutes after posting a question here and I get a knowledgeable reply, seconded by a respected Dealer and frequent contributor. Outstanding!!
It was important to me to confirm that the red box consisted of a round having an SMK and a cannelure for both accuracy and better fragmentation / terminal performance (at least, that’s what my research on the MK262 Mod1 had led me to believe).
This has been my experience. A few dings here and there but it’s the same stuff. Besides, those small dings tend to go away when you actually shoot it.
So it’s confirmed - it is the exact same stuff. And the MK262 Mod 0 is the same load with no cannelure.
From Article: “The round developed a cult following, even packed as cosmetic seconds,” Hoffman said. “So last year we started offering it to the public. The only difference is the packaging—it is the exact same ammunition as is delivered to the U.S. military—loaded to the exact same specs. The guy shooting iron sights at beer cans at 100 yards probably has no reason to shoot this, but a man that has the skill and firearm to extend the range, this is his round.”
“Sold in 50-count boxes for around $1 per round, with a rather mundane “5.56mm 77-Gr. OTM” printed on the label, there is little to separate it from other Black Hills offerings. But in the right rifle at longer ranges, shooters can really see a difference in accuracy, wind drift, and terminal performance. On the battlefield the same stuff in plain, 20-round cardboard boxes printed with “5.56mm SPECIAL BALL, LR MK 262 MOD 1” can be found in the packs of any soldier, sailor, or Marine looking to extend the range of his optically sighted precision rifle or increase the lethality of an SBR.”