I’ve been looking into a heavy weight home defense load for my AR. I have a Ruger SR-556c with a 1/9 twist, and I read I shouldn’t fire anything heavier than 77 grains. One of the top reccomended rounds was Hornady TAP 75gr BTHP. It’s $25/box at my local store, and features a steel or nickel coated case. http://www.hornadyle.com/products/detaila8d3.html?id=130&sID=141
I also found standard match ammo, Hornady 75gr BTHP Match. It has a brass case and copper jacketed bullet…but everything seems identical to the TAP, aside from the casing. They were $21/box. I ended up purchasing 3 boxes to fill 2 mags. http://www.hornady.com/store/223-Rem-75-gr-BTHP-Match/
Are they the same? Did I save cash with the same product or is there something fancy about the TAP? Some of the TAP rounds had rubber tips I think but these did not.
Generally speaking you shouldn’t fire anything over 69gr. on a case by case basis. So the smart thing to do would be to try those loads and see how they work.
That said I would look into getting a bonded round as they perform better than OTM rounds in a variety of areas.
For military applications bonded rounds like what work best are not allowed, and thus OTM rounds are the best choice available like the Mk318 and MK262.
I personally use the Federal Tactical LE223T3 round. Pricey and hard to get but I believe they rate one of the best.
You can get Hornady 75 grain rounds much cheaper than 25/box. Check out Palmetto State Armory. I think the regular match rounds are 16.XX a box there. Same projectile as the TAP FPD rounds just don’t have a shiny case.