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Posted: 7/27/2012 1:22:40 AM EDT
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BARRIER BLIND LOADS ARE PREFERRED: There has been a shift away from fragmenting ammunition and toward barrier-blind bonded loads.
Doctor Roberts' latest take on this: "For LE and other individuals not restricted by the Hague convention, because of their good terminal performance across a wide spectrum of potential engagement scenarios, the bonded barrier blind projectiles have moved ahead of the fragmenting OTM loads we previously recommended, as the best general purpose loads available." The better bonded loads like TBBC, are definitely MORE effective than the TSX style all copper bullets, as they expand better, retain more mass, and offer a larger surface area, especially through intermediate barriers. The current generation of LE barrier blind loads like 5.56 mm Federal 62 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC) bonded JSP (XM556FBIT3) and 5.56 mm Winchester 64 gr solid base bonded JSP (Q3313/RA556B) developed for the FBI, are at 5.56 mm pressures using appropriate crimped & sealed primers, sealed case neck, same trajectory as M855 so it matches many common ACOG BDC's, etc... The new Black Hills 5.56 mm 50 gr TSX loading is another 5.56 mm offering which offers many of these same features––it matches closely with 5.56 mm 55 gr M193 practice ammo..." To summarize: Fragmenting loads are still fine if you can anticipate unobstructed shots, but even a home owner may have to deal with barriers and could potentially benefit from barrier blind loads. Should you panic and throw out all your heavy OTM stuff? Not at all - you might simply want to keep the above paragraphs in mind. If using a short-barreled weapon: The same guidelines apply as for barrier penetration loads. SBRs usually have insufficient velocity to achieve fragmentation velocity. http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De...index.htm#.223 I reload and its about time to stock up on bullets again. I have a question. Going with the info above how do you guys think 55 grain hornady spire points will do. They are priced nicely and my other option would be the Winchester 64 grain power point at double the price. Is double the price worth it? I have always used the 77 grain nosler but the info above has me thinking about switching to the cheaper spire point or jsp. Thanks. |
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Those bullets were chosen for specific and real reasons. They were designed for a pretty set window of operation, what I mean to say is they are cutting edge, and very well engineered. They are not your average JSP. They are just about the best because of this. The bullets you mentioned share none of the qualities with any of the recommended bullets. They look the same, and are all mostly JSP (TSX ain't), that's where the similarities end. The ones you mentioned have more in common with varmint bullets then a bonded barrier blind round.
Just no. |
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Quoted:
Those bullets were chosen for specific and real reasons. They were designed for a pretty set window of operation, what I mean to say is they are cutting edge, and very well engineered. They are not your average JSP. They are just about the best because of this. The bullets you mentioned share none of the qualities with any of the recommended bullets. They look the same, and are all mostly JSP (TSX ain't), that's where the similarities end. The ones you mentioned have more in common with varmint bullets then a bonded barrier blind round. Just no. +1 Regular JSP/SP bullets are a regular lead core while Barrier blind ones are either chemically or mechanically bonded to the jacket for weight retention. If you were looking at going that way, every now and again, you can find air pulls of the 62gr Federal Fusion or 64gr Speer Gold Dot. Personally, I love the Fusions. I buy them loaded from work, but whenever I can find some air pulls, I'll be buying them too. (Last I saw was at RMR $75/1000) |
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