It's not just about the weight of the bullet, but how it's made. When we switched to widespread use of SBRs we moved to the 75grain Gold Dot because it was what would reliably expand at lower velocities. The lighter bullets are made to be pushed fast and hold together at those speeds.
It's not just about the weight of the bullet, but how it's made. When we switched to widespread use of SBRs we moved to the 75grain Gold Dot because it was what would reliably expand at lower velocities. The lighter bullets are made to be pushed fast and hold together at those speeds.
Blue,
Do you have any info comparing the GD's performance to a Hornady 75 BTHP or a Sierra 77 SMK or a TMK? Either in gel or some other test?
It's not just about the weight of the bullet, but how it's made. When we switched to widespread use of SBRs we moved to the 75grain Gold Dot because it was what would reliably expand at lower velocities. The lighter bullets are made to be pushed fast and hold together at those speeds.
Blue,
Do you have any info comparing the GD's performance to a Hornady 75 BTHP or a Sierra 77 SMK or a TMK? Either in gel or some other test?
Thanks.
MM
75gr gold dot from 10.5" and 20" barrels in gel, and through a windshield into gel.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
That looks like pretty good performance............pretty significant difference in the violence of the impact of the gel block between the 20" barrel & the shorter version, even though the overall wound channel was that much different.
I'll have to go & try to dig up some gel test on the Hornady 75 & the SMK's for comparison.
Thanks, AS. I'll have to go & try to dig up some gel test on the Hornady 75 & the SMK's for comparison.
MM
I already posted them above.
The 77gr Sierra TMK and 62gr bonded bear claws are pretty impressive as well.
Bottom line is , regardless of what the narrator in the video says, they would all be highly effective as home defense loads.
For environments where low penetration is desired, such as dense dwelling environments, check out the 55gr Sierra Blitz kings are pretty wicked as well.
If you want the best of both worlds, a mag a heavy bonded bullets coupled to a mag of the Blitz Kings, or something in that class.
Last edited by antelope_sniper; 05/18/20.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
Went back & looked at those...............good info & thanks for posting.
Yes, the TMK's are impressive as are the IMI 77's................for non-handloads, I shoot the IMI stuff quite a bit, both 55's & the 77's.
And I've loaded a lot of the 77 & 69 TMK's & both shoot well for me; I'm not splitting hairs for minor absolute differences in group size compared to SMK's, so I'm satisfied with both.
My only complaint with the TMK's is that when loaded to 2.250, the case neck is right at the ogive.......any deeper & you are into the ogive for sure. I usually use them in ASC mags which allow a little more length.
Here's a link & some pics from a MOLON post on SH that clearly shows what I just said.
It's not just about the weight of the bullet, but how it's made. When we switched to widespread use of SBRs we moved to the 75grain Gold Dot because it was what would reliably expand at lower velocities. The lighter bullets are made to be pushed fast and hold together at those speeds.
Blue,
Do you have any info comparing the GD's performance to a Hornady 75 BTHP or a Sierra 77 SMK or a TMK? Either in gel or some other test?
Thanks.
MM
Somebody has the gel test results but I don't have them handy. I wasn't directly involved in the testing. But our selection accounted for things that might not matter to anyone else.... We had to have a round that would expand at 200 yards from whatever velocity it produced in an 11.5" barrel, would stabilize in a 1-9" barrel, and we could reliably source in very large quantities.
Pretty solid info on this site. Black column on left side opens up with variety of info. AR15 Ammo Oracle
Beauty of AR platform is the variety forms it can be made into. Service rifle, CQB carbine, DCM target, DMR, hunting etc. I shoot 16" 1:7 twist with Sierra 77OTM, and have no intention of using my carbine >200yrds. So my standard ammo is HFC. Debate of light & fast vs heavy & slow is never going to end, regardless of application. 2 holes are better than 1.
funny thing about all of this, American Soldiers in Korea complained about 110 grain bullets at 2000 fps, and yet today we seem to be happy with short barreled results of 2200 with a 75 grain bullet. Given the 110 was a FMJ, OTOH the M1 carbine has not been used much as a deer rifle.
I think the terminal performance is much different, and most of that is based on bullet construction.
Fixed that for ya.
Jimmyp, if you're trying to form a conclusion about 5.56 based on a round nose 30 carbine FMJ bullet - just stop. They have very little in common and do not perform at all the same way. The type of bullet used makes a huge difference.