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Posted: 8/1/2026 3:35:36 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Teller_Ulam][Edited]
I tested some older jsoc ammo today. 300blk 110gr copper solids. Same as Barnes Blacktip but the tips are brown due to a chemical added to make them xray opaque. Also some subsonic 220s.  Blackout fired at 50 yards (pics say 100. These were 50) Eotech and a G$ 3 gun trigger. My groups were bad. Maybe the trigger, but there may be an issue with the rifle. Copper solids average 2103.7. SD 20.5 es 56.1. Subs avg 1046.4 SD 15.4 es 46.5     5.56 70gr Browntip optimized and M855A1 out of an 18" noveske barrel. The 855a1 grouped so bad I didn't shoot it again. The browntip grouped pretty good for a copper solid. 70gr avg 2910.9 SD 14.1 es 38.3. M855A1 3083.9 SD 21.1 es 61.9       
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Just confirm: The M885A1 was shot at 100yds? You were getting 6" groups at 100yds? WOW. The 300blk 110gr copper solids, Same as Barnes Blacktip ammo............ where does it say it's "the tips are brown due to a chemical added to make them xray opaque?" Where are you getting that from, instead maybe if the originals are black-tipped and black tips mean it's AP, that they changed it to brown to avoid confusion. My guess is it has nothing to do with being xray opaque. But I could be wrong. |
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Correct. M855A1 was at 100. Clearly this barrel does not like that ammo. It's an moa rifle otherwise. I'd like to try it in a chrome lined barrel next. The plastic tips in the 300blk copper solids have barium added to make them xray opaque. Has to do with some obscure land warfare law thing. |
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Originally Posted By Teller_Ulam: Correct. M855A1 was at 100. Clearly this barrel does not like that ammo. It's an moa rifle otherwise. I'd like to try it in a chrome lined barrel next. The plastic tips in the 300blk copper solids have barium added to make them xray opaque. Has to do with some obscure land warfare law thing. Wow, that is bad. FWIW, I'm not Special Forces, not CIA not used 300 AAC in the military, but I'm calling BS on the barium filled tip ammo. But I've been wrong before. |
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Originally Posted By TGH456E: Wow, that is bad. FWIW, I'm not Special Forces, not CIA not used 300 AAC in the military, but I'm calling BS on the barium filled tip ammo. But I've been wrong before. You're welcome to look it up. Info on the blackout round is difficult to find but here's some info on a 5.56 round with barium added to the polymer tip https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/5-56x45mm-with-77gr-bs-tip-projectile-black-hills-barium-sulfate-infused-plastic-ballistic-tip-bullet/68828 And here's an old archived thread where it was discussed. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Military-300-blackout-thread/16-769222/? |
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Originally Posted By Teller_Ulam: You're welcome to look it up. Info on the blackout round is difficult to find but here's some info on a 5.56 round with barium added to the polymer tip https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/5-56x45mm-with-77gr-bs-tip-projectile-black-hills-barium-sulfate-infused-plastic-ballistic-tip-bullet/68828 And here's an old archived thread where it was discussed. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Military-300-blackout-thread/16-769222/? Thanks! I do stand corrected. Back to what I do know about: Have you shot that A1 in other uppers of yours, does it shoot poorly in just that one? or others? |
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Originally Posted By TGH456E: Thanks! I do stand corrected. Back to what I do know about: Have you shot that A1 in other uppers of yours, does it shoot poorly in just that one? or others? I've shot it in a few and I remember it grouped ok but not great. I should be able to get back out with it and some different rifles in the next couple days and will post results. |
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Got some more M855A1 results. Better groups today but still not great. Fired out of a Noveske Holland barrel and a 14.5 chf skinny profile. The Holland was fired with an Mk5HD 2-10 and the skinny with a Razor 1-10. Both rifles capable of sub moa with Bonefrog 77gr Match Burners and mk262. Holland avg 3016 fps SD 14.8 ES 46.5 14.5 avg 2931 SD 19.4 ES 56.1     |
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Originally Posted By JohnDough: I found m855a1 to be about a 3.5moa round for me. Browntip is 1.5-1.8moa in every gun ive shot it in. I've been happy with browntip. It's an impressive loading. It would be a great hd/sd round if it were more readily available/affordable. M855A1 seems to be similar to regular M855 wrt accuracy, at least in my rifles. |
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Originally Posted By Teller_Ulam: I've been happy with browntip. It's an impressive loading. It would be a great hd/sd round if it were more readily available/affordable. M855A1 seems to be similar to regular M855 wrt accuracy, at least in my rifles. |
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Originally Posted By Teller_Ulam: I've been happy with browntip. It's an impressive loading. It would be a great hd/sd round if it were more readily available/affordable. M855A1 seems to be similar to regular M855 wrt accuracy, at least in my rifles. LE556TSX is a civilian/LE loading equivalent with sealed necks and primers, but 50-75fps hotter. The easiest COTS solution is Barnes VorTx 70gr TSX, which is about 25fp or so hotter, but lacks neck sealant. I have found all three to produce 1.5-1.8moa groups out of my lightweight chrome lined SBR's. |
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Originally Posted By Teller_Ulam: You're welcome to look it up. Info on the blackout round is difficult to find but here's some info on a 5.56 round with barium added to the polymer tip https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/5-56x45mm-with-77gr-bs-tip-projectile-black-hills-barium-sulfate-infused-plastic-ballistic-tip-bullet/68828 And here's an old archived thread where it was discussed. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Military-300-blackout-thread/16-769222/? Very interesting about the "Barium" aspect... Thanks for en-lighting me / us. And Thank you for sharing your group sizes and photos... I am glad your M855A1 did so much better in other barrels. |
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Originally Posted By bfoosh06: Very interesting about the "Barium" aspect... Thanks for en-lighting me / us. And Thank you for sharing your group sizes and photos... I am glad your M855A1 did so much better in other barrels. You're welcome! And, me too. I like to have a mag or two of 855A1 around, but I'll need to remember to keep it away from the 6" grouping rifle |
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We used that Barnes ammo for the Rattler qualification years ago. Not sure what the current hotness is, but back then it maxed out at 50 yards and worked in close to end with a couple FA stages. Fairly short in stages and ranges compared to all the other qualifications. I don't have any stand out memories of the Barnes ammo being good or bad, but it's sort of hard not to hit what you intend to hit at 50 and under. |
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Originally Posted By Twitchy: We used that Barnes ammo for the Rattler qualification years ago. Not sure what the current hotness is, but back then it maxed out at 50 yards and worked in close to end with a couple FA stages. Fairly short in stages and ranges compared to all the other qualifications. I don't have any stand out memories of the Barnes ammo being good or bad, but it's sort of hard not to hit what you intend to hit at 50 and under. I thought those were the Lehigh round? |
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