.223 gel test: Black Hills 77 gr TMK, carbine & SBR

[Andrew Wiggin]

Black Hills 77 gr Sierra Tipped Match King fired from 11.5" and 16" barreled AR pattern rifles into calibrated 10% gelatin and water jugs.

BB: 597.3 fps, 3.6"

11.5" barrel results:

Impact velocity: 2,572 fps
Penetration: 14.2"
Retained weight: 32.8 gr
Max expansion: 0.543"
Min expansion: 0.312"
Neck length: 0.7"
TSC: 3" x 7"


16" barrel results:

Impact velocity: 2,775 fps
Penetration: 13.1"
Retained weight: 39.2 gr
Max expansion: 0.581"
Min expansion: 0.335"
Neck length: 0.6"
TSC: 2.5" x 7.5"


On the water jug portion, the bullet passed completely through two jugs and dented the far wall on the third jug for a total penetration of 18" of water. The first jug was literally split in two separate pieces, which were both thrown well away from the table. The bullet left a lot of fragments throughout the remaining jugs.

[oldtexan]

OP, thanks for posting. One question: is that ammo .223 or 5.56mm? I thought BH currently was only loading the 77gr TMK bullet in 5.56mm, but your post says .223.

[Andrew Wiggin]

The ammo was provided by a member on another forum. You're probably right.

[Alpha Sierra]

I just looked at the BCs of those new TMKs, they are awesome.

That 77 TMK has the potential to have one single 223 load for all three across the course distances without penalty or compromise and the 30 cal 168 TMK will likely be the bullet of choice for 308 work out to 1000.

[Wondering Beard]

I just looked at the BCs of those new TMKs, they are awesome.

That 77 TMK has the potential to have one single 223 load for all three across the course distances without penalty or compromise

All three what?

I'm not much of a rifle shooter, so I may be missing something obvious.

[JHC]

Cool. BH 77 gr OTM was dramatically successful on 2 deer I've shot with it.

[littlejerry]

Cool. BH 77 gr OTM was dramatically successful on 2 deer I've shot with it.

JHC, can you provide details on those deer(distance, result, barrel length)? I'm looking at my ammo inventory and trying to decide on what I zero with for deer season. It would be really nice to use the same ammo for matches and hunting

[JHC]

JHC, can you provide details on those deer(distance, result, barrel length)? I'm looking at my ammo inventory and trying to decide on what I zero with for deer season. It would be really nice to use the same ammo for matches and hunting

One was a good sized (for GA) 7 point buck that I hit broadside, front shoulder, midway up him. Must have hit or stunned the spine as he dropped where he stood. No exit wound. It was last light, cold and blowing so no detailed exam of the wound. Range about 15 yards (thick woods)

Other was a small doe I hit from above being uphill from about 50-70 yards IIRC. I was up a pretty steep hill, but only had the neck clear of a tree. Hit was centered to the back of the neck and created a big exit wound out the throat. Like 4" in diameter. Bang flop.

Both with a 16" N4 Recce.