 |
| The AR-15 platform chambered in 5.56mm NATO with a 16" barrel is the default firearm in America today. |
 |
| 50 grain Hornady V-Max starting at 3080fps. Three different zeros. Sights 1.5" above bore. All data collected from the on-line Hornady Ballistic Calculator |
 |
| 55 grain Hornady soft point with cannelure starting at 2900fps. Three different zeros. Sights 1.5" above bore. |
 |
| 60 grain Hornady V-Max starting at 2790fps. Three different zeros. Sights 1.5" above bore. |
 |
| Three different weights with 200 yard zero over-plotted. Max range reduced to increase resolution between offerings. |
 |
| Same as above but plotted out to 400 yards. |
- Once zeroed in, the differences in trajectory are small out to 250 yards.
- The slippery 60 grain V-Max never overcomes it disadvantage in starting speed, at least not within the first 400 yards.
- The 50gr V-Max stays above 1700fps past 400 yards. 1700fps is sometimes used as the threshold for expansion or mushrooming for rifle bullets.
- The 55gr soft point stays above 1700fps to 325 yards
- The 60gr V-Max stays above 1700fps to 350 yards.
- Initial velocities were fudge-factored down from Hodgdon reloading data for H-335 for the respective weight bullets and a 24" barrel.
- On a short range, a 200 yard zero can be approximated by "zeroing" at 1.0 inch above line-of-sight at fifty yards or 2 inches above line of sight at 100 yards.
Joe, have you ever tried the 53gr V-max? I haven't had a chance to shoot it much but it seems like a nice compromise for weight vs BC, especially with the cute little boat-tail.
ReplyDeleteI have not tried them. I am still pretty new to this 5.56X45mm .223 Rem game.
DeleteI am a whiz on the computer, though...and you should see my ninja moves at the local mall.
One thing that was not discussed was wind. Gravity is a constant and is easy to compensate for if you have a range finder and time. Wind is a fickle bitch.
My interests are more along the lines of the quick-and-dirty. Can a man with old eyes, shooting from field positions with a non-magnifying scope. I am most likely to NEED a firearm when the target is within fifty feet as opposed to 300 yards.