I will preface this by saying I used an Aimpoint and a magnifier, and fired from a bench while seated, using my magazine as a monopod. The rifle used was my Daniel Defense 16.1" DDM4 equipped with a CHF chrome-lined barrel of government profile, utilizing a mid-length gas system, a Surefire 212a muzzle-device, and with a Surefire 556-212 suppressor in place for all testing. I feel that with a quality stainless barrel and a precision optic of more than 3.25X magnification, better groups are very attainable. However, I’m no Molon, so you get what you get, which is a CHF .gov barreled carbine sighted with a magnified aimpoint, lol!
Accuracy evaluation was conducted at 50, and 100 yards. PMC XTAC M193 is included at 50 yards, as it is my training round, and I wish to show the POI shift between training, and HD/Duty type ammunition. I shot a group at 100 yards with the XTAC, as well, but did not picture it. It wasn’t pretty. However, the center of it was exponentially as close to the RA556B and Black Hills as it was at 50 yards, which, as you will see, is close enough that your ammunition’s accuracy would be more likely to cause you a missed training opportunity than would any POI shift between duty and training ammunition, IN THIS circumstance (my rifle, my can, my ammo, etc.)
“Terminal performance” was tested using milk jugs full of water, shot at 15 yards. Both bullets “exploded” the first 2 jugs in line, and they were both recovered in the 4th jug. The Barnes, however, split the 3rd jug slightly inside the handle area, and managed to puncture the 5th jug. I believe it may have exited the 4th, compromised the 5th, and “bounced back into” the 4th jug. That’s what it looks like to me, anyway. The RA556B simply dented the living hell out of the 4th jug’s opposing side, and maybe have made it spring a tiny leak there. The jugs were placed in a line, touching. There was so much water it was hard to be sure. Regardless, the Barnes seemed more “violent”, and penetrated ever so slightly more. These are unscientific observations in unscientific mediums.
The recovered Barnes bullet had a largest and smallest diameter of 0.490" and 0.330", respectively, for an average diameter of 0.410". Its recovered length was 0.510".
The recovered RA556B bullet had a largest and smallest diameter of 0.454" and 0.420", respectively, for an average diameter of 0.437". Its recovered length was 0.40".
Both bullets appear to have retained 100% of their weight, however, I do not have a scale to verify this with.
Both rounds are sealed at the case necks (Black Hills uses a sealant with a slight reddish hue that is mostly clear, or maybe it’s clear and the copper of the projectile gives it a hue? It can barely be seen in the photographs.). RA556B uses Black Lucas/tar.
The Black Hills felt to me like it was loaded JUST A TOUCH hotter, but with no chronograph, that’s mere supposition.
