5.56 75g, 77g
- Thread starter ESQ
- Start date
There is no 77 grain TAP variant. The .223 stuff ranges from 40 through 75 grain, the 5.56 NATO pressure stuff is only available in 75 grain.
Black Hills uses the 77 grain SMK OTM projectile.
If you've got a couple of hours and want to read the most complete ballistics / range / terminal ballistics / muzzle velocities from 14.5", 16" and 20" barrels write-up on TAP EVER!, check out Molon's post over at AR15.com in the ammunition forum. That guy knows his sh*t inside and out... and knows how to explain it. It's a long read, but you won't be disappointed... you will however want to buy some of the 5.56 75 grain NATO stuff once you're done.
ESQ is right... there is a difference in the projectiles used and muzzle velocities between the .223 and the 5.56 TAP variants, and it does make a difference to the terminal effects as they relate to your range of engagement.
Black Hills uses the 77 grain SMK OTM projectile.
If you've got a couple of hours and want to read the most complete ballistics / range / terminal ballistics / muzzle velocities from 14.5", 16" and 20" barrels write-up on TAP EVER!, check out Molon's post over at AR15.com in the ammunition forum. That guy knows his sh*t inside and out... and knows how to explain it. It's a long read, but you won't be disappointed... you will however want to buy some of the 5.56 75 grain NATO stuff once you're done.
ESQ is right... there is a difference in the projectiles used and muzzle velocities between the .223 and the 5.56 TAP variants, and it does make a difference to the terminal effects as they relate to your range of engagement.
The reliable fragmentation range is about double for the 5.56 out of an M4 14.5in barrel. That is significant.
Here are the velocity comparisons. I don't know where you get 41fps from.
14.5in bbl: .223 is 2450 5.56 is 2627 Difference of 177fps
16in bbl: .223 is 2528 5.56 is 2713 Difference of 185fps
20in bbl: .223 is 2638 5.56 is 2821 Difference of 183fps
The 5.56 is loaded with a grain more powder and used ball powder, not cut/extrude.
I got the 41 off hornadys website
.223 Tap 2609 fps 75 gr bthp
5.56 Tap 2660 fps 75 gr bthp
Im sorry i was wrong it was 51 fps difference have a look for yourself
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/more_detail.php?id=72&sID=75&pID=1
The .223 Tap i have is 75 gr bthp and on the box muzzle reads 2630 fps . What about reliable frag range both bullets are exactly the same, just one is going a little faster . I would argue the double the frag range with simple physics F=MA. I dont feel as cool shooting 223 either when i can pay more for 556
.223 Tap 2609 fps 75 gr bthp
5.56 Tap 2660 fps 75 gr bthp
Im sorry i was wrong it was 51 fps difference have a look for yourself
http://www.hornadyle.com/products/more_detail.php?id=72&sID=75&pID=1
The .223 Tap i have is 75 gr bthp and on the box muzzle reads 2630 fps . What about reliable frag range both bullets are exactly the same, just one is going a little faster . I would argue the double the frag range with simple physics F=MA. I dont feel as cool shooting 223 either when i can pay more for 556
I have a box of 75 gr tap and one of 75 gr match. the tap shows 2630 fps while the match shows velocity of 2790, only difference between the two is the tap has the cannaluer (sp??) match doesn't. Talked to the hornady rep last week and asked if it was possible to purchase 75 gr match bullets and he wouldn't even take the time to find out as he thought they'd be impossible to get and said to buy sierra WOW. Wanted to load them in some LC stamped brass from american eagle to 5.56 specs. Oh well, I have yet to see 5.56 hornady tap for sale anywhere.
Actual Velocity Testing TAP FPD vs. 5.56 TAP
Dudes... you need to read Molon's thread linked below. No conjecture, just actual chrono data plus everything else you could ever want to know about these rounds... including pics of hogs shot with them...
You'll note that ESQ has correctly relayed this information in his posts here...
Velocities
Conservative Frag Ranges Based on a BC of .352 using above chrono data
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=283506&page=1
Dudes... you need to read Molon's thread linked below. No conjecture, just actual chrono data plus everything else you could ever want to know about these rounds... including pics of hogs shot with them...
You'll note that ESQ has correctly relayed this information in his posts here...
Velocities
Conservative Frag Ranges Based on a BC of .352 using above chrono data
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=283506&page=1
They are using different barrels.... so the Hornady numbers aren't comparable. The aftermarket testing was done with statistically significant numbers of rounds out of the same barrel and chrono'd agains control loads. The 5.56 is much hotter.
Frag range is a function of velocity over a cutoff threshhold. So if you start out with a couple hundred fps more velocity, you will see a much longer frag range as you only drop off a two or three hundred feet per second within 150 or so metres.
Anyway, this thread is off topic. I just want to know if anyone has the 5.56.
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