AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/30/2018 7:38:38 PM EDT
|
5.56 M193 Velocity Shoot Off Part III: (16" Version!!!!)
View Part 1 HERE!!! View Part II HERE!!! 
After all my chrony testing with 18” and 20” barrels, the time had come to see how a comparable 16” barrel's velocities would perform. Are you really gaining that much velocity from a 18” barrel as opposed to a 16”? If so, how much? Is it a trivial difference, or significant difference? If the velocity difference is negligible, then there is really no need to deal with the extra length, bulk, and weight of the 2”+ longer barrel. Since the 18” barrels tested were all FN CHF barrels, I decided to test a like 16” barrel in order to ensure a apples to apples comparison. Luckily, I also happen to own a 16” FN CHF barrel with very few rounds through it so as to provide a very comparable test subject. Again, all velocities were tested at 3 yards from the muzzle. For those interested in calculating actually muzzle velocity for all of the velocities measured according to Federal's Ballistics calculator, https://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics-calculator, the actual muzzle velocity should be ~ + 10 fps from velocities recorded from 9 feet (3 yrds) I'd also like to mention that temperature does play a large role in bullet velocities. As many know, hotter temperatures will effect the gunpowder in a way that leads to higher pressures and velocities. That's why it's generally not a good idea to work up hot handloads in the winter and then use those same loads in the summer, you may get over pressure issues. The general rule of thumb is you gain / loose ~1 fps velocity for every ~1 degree F in temperature change. IE, the results I got at 50 degree temperature would be roughly 25 fps higher at 75 degrees and roughly 25 fps lower at 35 degrees. Therefore I think that ~ 50 degrees is a good baseline for testing, as many people will experience actual environment extremes of up to +/- 50 degrees from the 50 degree mark. Heck, in my part of the country, we experience that type of temperature extreme every year from winter to summer! Information on the barrels tested: 16” Spikes (FN) “Optimum Profile” Midlength CHF Barrel: This is an FN M249 barrel blank 1-7 twist barrel with the “machine gun steel” and “double thick chrome lining”. Bought directly from Spikes as an upper, the barrel is as new and has less than 500 rounds through it. According to an FN engineer when I called them, it is more so the unique proprietary composition of the M249 barrel steel itself that contributes to the super long life rather than the CHF process. The “double thick” chrome lining, is also a different type of chrome plating that plates thicker than the mil spec on the M4. It is not just the M4 chrome lining applied twice as thick. 18” CHF Barrel 2: This is an FN M249 barrel blank 1-7 twist barrel with the “machine gun steel” and “double thick chrome lining”. Bought from Riflegear.com, this is NOT the same barrel as in tests Part I and II. It is duplicate, or back up, of that first barrel bought from the same place a few years later. It only has a couple hundred rounds through it (vs. ~3k of the other barrel) and doesn't have the gas port opened up as the other one does. I wanted to use it to see how closely it would match the other 18” barrel velocity wise as it is the same barrel, but just different production run. Would velocities be the different or more or less the same? An FN engineer, when I called them, stated it is more so the unique proprietary composition of the M249 barrel steel itself that contributes to the super long life rather than the CHF process. The “double thick” chrome lining, is also a different type of chrome plating that plates thicker than the mil spec on the M4. It is not just the M4 chrome lining applied twice as thick. 18.5” CHF Barrel: Barrel was a FN M249 1-7 twist barrel blank same as the above 18” but was originally a 20” FN CHF purchased from PSA and cut down to 18.5”. Why 18.5”? For two reasons. One, it still allows use of a bayonet (where as the 18” requires an extended flash hider for the same) and two it allows for more dwell time / gas port pressure without having to open up the gas port. Since my 18” is modified to allow attachment of a bayonet with the extended flash hider, it is actually the same length as the 18.5” barrel w/ standard A2, so might as well have more barrel length than flash hider length. This barrel also has around 2,000 – 3,000 rounds through it, which again is nothing for this barrel. 20” Colt C7 Upper A1 Surplus Barrel: Wanted to test a different 20” barrel than the others I had tested so far, not as a comparison between the other barrel lengths, but just to see what this old surplus Colt barrel would do. Bought this upper used, it is a colt C7 upper with a Colt A1 1-12 twist chrome lined surplus barrel. I am not sure if the upper came as is, or if it was pieced together to be in this configuration. No idea how many rounds might be through it. Was just curious how it would perform. Details on the Testing: The testing was broken up into 2 days, the temperature on the first day was around 40 degrees F. I used this day to shoot and test the 16” barrel exclusively. I used a lot of the same ammunition that I used in tests I and II as controls to test through the 16” barrel in order to get a comparison of the differences in the velocity one could expect from 16” to 18” to 20”. The second day I just brought out the 18”, 18.5”, and 20” barrels to test some new ammo types. Temperature on the 2nd day was around 50 degrees. Testing Part III: Day 1: Conducted November 24th 2018 ~ 1pm. Temperature ~40 degrees Distance from Chrony 9 ft / 3 yrds Testing Part III Day 2: Conducted December 15th 2018 ~ 1pm. Temperature ~50 degrees Distance from Chrony 9 ft / 3 yrds Guide: H = Highest velocity of a string. L = Lowest velocity of a string. Avg = The mean of all shots fired in a string. ES = Extreme spread in a string. SD = Standard Deviation of a string (calculated by the chrony Testing Part III: Day 1 & 2 Combined for comparative results: Federal XM193 2018 Lot # SMQ18C815-409 (Packaged in 20 round boxes) (Same lot used as in Test Part I) 16” CHF 1. 2,962 2. 2,959 3. 3,027 (H) 4. 2,960 5. 2,960 6. 2,942 L 7. 2,988 8. 3,017 9. 3,021 AVG: 2,982 fps ES: 85 SD: 32 18” CHF 2 1. 3,258 H 2. 3,109 3. 3,165 4. 3,103 5. 3,138 6. 3,123 7. 3,149 8. 3,070 9. 3,152 10. 3,134 AVG: 3,140 fps ES:188 SD: 50 *** Only a -13 FPS difference from the other 18" CHF Average in Testing Part 1. Safe to say the barrels give comparable velocities (difference from 16” 158 fps) 20” Colt C7 Surplus 1. 3,143 2. 3,113 3. 3,069 4. 3,118 5. 3,136 6. 3,069 L 7. 3,102 8. 3,153 H 9. 3,089 10. 3,138 AVG: 3,113 fps ES:84 SD: 30 (difference from 18” -27 fps) The new production Colt AR15A4 20” barrel from Test 1 averaged 3,180 FPS with this same load, so it's safe to say that this barrel has had a good deal of rounds through it! Federal XM193 2017 Lot # SMQ17B815-334 (Packaged on 10 round stripper clips) Same lot as in Tests Part 1 & II 16” CHF 1. 3,091 2. 3,062 3. 3,059 4. 3,122 H 5. 3,056 6. 3,107 7. 3,070 AVG: 3,081 fps ES:66 SD: 26 *** -131 FPS difference from 18" Average in Testing Part II Federal XM193 2016 Lot # SMQ16J815-290 (Packaged loose in 150 round boxes) Same lot as in Tests Part 1 & II 16” CHF 1. 3,032 L 2. 3,095 3. 3,061 4. 3,034 5. 3,089 6. 3,077 7. 3,058 8. 3,115 H AVG: 3,070 fps ES: 84 SD: 29 (-146 FPS difference from 18” combined Average from Testing Parts I & II) Federal XM855 2017 Lot # SMQ17L814-243 (Packaged loose in in 150 round boxes) 16” CHF 1. 2,931 L 2. 2,966 3. 2,958 4. 2,968 5. 2,969 6. 2,941 7. 2,974 H 8. 2,941 9. 2,963 10. 2,968 AVG: 2,958 fps ES: 43 SD: 15 18” CHF 2 1. 3,052 H 2. 3,042 3. 3,030 4. 3,019 5. 2,947 L 6. 3,048 7. 3,030 8. 3,033 9. 3,044 10. 3,051 AVG: 3,030 fps ES:106 SD: 31 (difference from 16” 72 fps) 18.5” CHF 1. 2,998 2. 3,062 3. 3,039 4. 3,081 5. 3,117 H 6. 2,926 L 7. 3,076 8. 3,091 9. 3,042 10. 3,011 AVG: 3,044 fps ES:191 SD: 55 (difference from 18” 14 fps) 18” CHF Barrel 1 (Recorded this during Test II on 10/19 but didn't post it because only 3 shots were recorded) 1. 3,112 H 2. 3,065 3. 2,966 L (Had a lot of error readings and only 3 recorded shots) AVG: 3,048 fps South African M193 PMP NF Year: ?? 20xx Lot # 195 (Packaged in 50 round boxes, in 200 round plastic “battle packs”, 5 packs per .50 cal metal ammo can) 16” CHF 1. 3,215 H 2. 3,090 3. 3,072 4. 3,175 5. 3,129 6. 3,039 L 7. 3,094 8. 3,116 9. 3,053 10. 3,109 AVG: 3,110 fps ES: 177 SD: 54 (difference from 18” total average in Tests 1 + II -140 fps) 20” Colt C7 Surplus 1. 3,214 2. 3,227 3. 3,270 H 4. 3,222 5. 3,213 L AVG: 3,229 fps ES: 57 SD: 24 (difference from 16” 119 fps, from 18” -21 fps) South African M193 PMP NF Year: ?? 20xx Lot # 165 (Packaged in 50 round boxes, in 200 round plastic “battle packs”, 5 packs per .50 cal metal ammo can) 16” CHF 1. 3,054 2. 3,014 L 3. 3,131 H (Had a lot of error readings this string and only 3 recorded shots) AVG: 3,066 fps (-111 fps difference from 18” Total Average in Test II) Independence XM193 2017 Lot # FC17C001-183 (Packaged in 20 round boxes, 25 boxes per .50 cal metal ammo can) – Same Lot as in Test Part 1 & II 16” CHF 1. 3,174 2. 3,148 3. 3,163 4. 3,101 5. 3,131 6. 3,246 H 7. 3,146 8. 3,095 L 9. 3,143 10. 3,119 AVG: 3,147 fps ES: 151 SD: 43 *** -128 FPS difference from 18.5" Average in Testing Part II Federal Fusion 62 grain “ICE Round” 2010 Lot # 49P659X005 (Packaged in white 20 round boxes, sold from PSA some years back. Same lot used in Test I) 16” CHF 1. 2,625 2. 2,616 L 3. 2,644 4. 2,668 H 5. 2,661 AVG: 2,643 fps ES: 52 SD: 22 (difference from 18” CHF -107 fps) Speer Gold Dot 62 grain 2016 Lot # ? (Bought Loose off AR15.com) 16” CHF 1. 2,652 2. 2,640 3. 2,683 4. 2,637 L 5. 2,706 H AVG: 2,664 fps ES: 69 SD: 30 Testing Part III: Day 2 Only: (No 16” comparative testing was done for these loads) Independence XM193 2013 Lot # ? (Bought Loose off AR15.com) 18” CHF 2 1. 3,265 2. 3,295 H 3. 3,240 4. 3,274 5. 3,254 6. 3,209 7. 3,240 8. 3,276 9. 3,194 L 10. 3,222 AVG: 3,247 fps ES: 101 SD: 32 Federal XM193 2014 Lot # ??? (Packaged loose in 1,000 round box) 18” CHF 2 1. 3,305 H 2. 3,227 3. 3,226 4. 3,247 5. 3,254 6. 3,196 L 7. 3,205 8. 3,240 9. 3,247 AVG: 3,238 fps ES:109 SD: 32 18.5” CHF 1. 3,221 2. 3,243 H 3. 3,190 4. 3,175 5. 3,210 6. 3,172 L 7. 3,201 8. 3,239 9. 3,227 10. 3,205 AVG: 3,208 fps ES:72 SD: 25 (difference from 18” -30 fps) Federal XM193 2010 Lot # SMQ116037-513 (Packaged on stripper clips) 18” CHF 2 1. 3,210 2. 3,226 3. 3,229 H 4. 3,172 5. 3,144 6. 3,159 7. 3,189 8. 3,171 9. 3,144 L AVG: 3,183 fps ES:86 SD: 33 18.5” CHF 1. 3,118 2. 3,148 3. 3,190 4. 3,191 H 5. 3,072 L 6. 3,179 7. 3,188 AVG: 3,155 fps ES:119 SD: 46 (difference from 18” -28 fps) Winchester Q3131 (M193) 2017 Lot # MN51 5526 (Packaged in 20 round boxes) 18” CHF 2 1. 3,186 2. 3,266 3. 3,282 4. 3,232 5. 3,178 6. 3,189 7. 3,278 8. 3,292 H 9. 3,238 10. 3,177 L AVG: 3,232 fps ES:115 SD: 46 18.5” CHF 1. 3,291 H 2. 3,213 3. 3,196 4. 3,275 5. 2,969 L 6. 3,183 7. 3,190 8. 3,203 9. 3,227 10. 3,200 AVG: 3,195 fps ES:321 SD: 87 (difference from 18” -37 fps) Winchester Q3131 (M193) 2017 Lot # MD70 4188 (Packaged in 20 round boxes) 18” CHF 2 1. 3,148 2. 3,127 L 3. 3,221 4. 3,183 5. 3,171 6. 3,167 7. 3,207 8. 3,204 9. 3,232 H 10. 3,150 AVG: 3,181 fps ES:105 SD: 34 18.5” CHF 1. 3,050 L 2. 3,144 3. 3,164 H 4. 3,095 5. 3,092 6. 3,159 7. 3,109 8. 3,133 AVG: 3,118 fps (difference from 18” -63 fps) Winchester 5.56 62 grain OTM 2017 Lot # 170301 01-31 (Packaged in a 180 round box comprised of six 30 round boxes) 18” CHF 2 1. 2,874 L 2. 3,021 H 3. 3,010 4. 2,952 5. 3,002 6. 2,966 7. 2,996 8. 3,014 9. 3,002 10. 2,991 AVG: 2,983 fps ES: 147 SD: 44 18.5” CHF 1. 2,964 2. 2,989 3. 2,993 4. 2,893 5. 2,884 L 6. 3,017 7. 3,107 H 8. 3,019 9. 2,958 10. 3,017 AVG: 2,984 fps ES: 223 SD: 65 (difference from 18” 1 fps) Observations: There indeed is a very significant difference in velocities between 16” and 18” barrels, especially with the M193 type lighter grain faster loads. You're looking at ~150 FPS difference between M193 type loadings and even more if it's a 20” barrel! The difference is less pronounced with the heavier loads, about 70 – 100 FPS depending on the loading, but that is still a notable difference, and more of a difference than there is between 18” and 20” barrels. The newer production lots of Federal XM193 are indeed loaded much weaker than the older lots. Averaging under 3,000 FPS for a 16” barrel is pathetic. You're almost getting the same velocity with XM855 through a 16” barrel as you are with the newer production XM193 loads. I hope federal puts a stop to this and loads them back to pre nerf levels. The Winchester M193 clones seem inconsistent. Two lots from the same year showing drastically different velocity results. Older barrels with a lot of rounds through them will have lower muzzle velocities than newer barrels with less wear. There is no telling how many rounds have been shot through that surplus C7 upper, but my guess is it has been a lot since the velocities were significantly less than both prior 20” barrels tested in Tests I and II. Even still, the velocities were still much greater than a 16”, but ~ 25 FPS less than a 18” and ~50 - 60 less than a comparable 20” barrel. |
Put down the Optic! Learn how to shoot the REAL way!
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
|
Originally Posted By Toddles:
Thanks for the data. I already spent a bunch of money on SA 193... and now I feel like spending more.  Originally Posted By Toddles:
Thanks for the data. I already spent a bunch of money on SA 193... and now I feel like spending more. However, the SA appears to have a thicker than normal jacket, and the cannelure isn't as conductive to splitting as a regular ridged one is. When @Buffman tested the SA out of a 10.5" barrel, he didn't get any fragmentation even at almost 2,700 FPS. Every other 55 grain FMJ test I have seen, the bullet will fragment at that speed. It did seem to have some good yawing / tumbling damage but it had a fairly long neck. It wasn't measured in the video, but I'd say it was ~ 4.5" - 5"? Ironically, the lower velocity performance at 2,200 FPS was better than the 10.5" barrel's performance, had a neck half the size and what looked like really nice cavitation / permanent wound channel from tumbling. On the 10.5" results, the block already had a lot of other wound channels in it, which may have impact performance. I was trying to convince Buffman to retest the SA out of the 7.5" and 10.5" barrels again in fresh blocks and measure the necks / wound paths to verify performance, but I know how busy he is! :)  5.56x45mm, 62gr OTM, USA3162W, Winchester Made In Sweden Originally Posted By jblomenberg16:
Good stuff. Any chance you could put the data into a summary table? |
Put down the Optic! Learn how to shoot the REAL way!
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
|
Originally Posted By Glock9mm1990:
Their velocities should be above 3000 fps from a 16” barrel, at least I hope anyways. And As always, Thank You, Buffman for your dogged sharing of your results. Just an FYI, and not Blain's barrels but...( so just for FYI ) MEN 56gr  5.56x45mm, 56gr FMJ M193, MEN Velocity Test IMI 55gr ...  5.56x45mm, 55gr FMJ, M193 IMI Systems, Velocity and Accuracy Test |
*Hold on to your AR-15s. Their magic must be very powerful, or they wouldn’t want them.*
JAFOM.... Just another fat old man.
JAFOM.... Just another fat old man.
|
Originally Posted By bfoosh06: Not to detract from Blains excellent testing... And As always, Thank You, Buffman for your dogged sharing of your results. Just an FYI, and not Blain's barrels but...( so just for FYI ) MEN 56gr  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYW69N0Uzag
IMI 55gr ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_H7lTngjbE |
Put down the Optic! Learn how to shoot the REAL way!
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
|
Originally Posted By swampvol:
It's also interesting how you got more velocity out of the Gold Dots than the Fusions. |
Put down the Optic! Learn how to shoot the REAL way!
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
***************************************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligUEAJH25E
AR Sponsor