Gel test for Federal 223 62gr Fusion MSR?

[Jaywalker]

I understand it's possible that the 62gr Fusion and 62gr "Fusion MSR" have different velocities. Has the MSR version been tested?

It's possible the Federal "Fusion" is F223FS1," and lists 3,000fps MV, while the MSR is Federal "F223MSR1," and lists 2,750 fps. I understand the Fusion is tested from a 24-inch barrel, while the MSR is tested from a 20-inch barrel. It would be nice to be sure, however.

[Molon]

The 62 grain Fusion projectiles have the same terminal ballistic properties as the 62/64 grain Gold Dot porjectiles.








Federal 62 Grain Fusion vsFederal 62 Grain Fusion MSR vs Speer LE 62 Grain Gold Dot






The muzzle velocities shown in the tables below were obtained back-to-back during the same chronograph session using recent lots of all three of the Fusion/Gold Dot loads chrongographed.

Atmospheric Conditions

Temperature: 73 degrees F (plus or minus one degree)
Barometric Pressure: 29.68 inches of Hg
Humidity: 62%
Altitude: 950 feet above sea level



Muzzle velocities from a 20” Colt M16A2 barrel with a NATO chamber, chrome lining and a 1:7” twist.







Muzzle velocities from a 14.5 Noveske N4 light barrel with a NATO chamber, chrome lining and a 1:7’ twist.






10-shot groups were fired from one of my precision AR-15s with a Lothar-Walther barrel with a 223 Wylde chamber and a 1:8” twist. The groups were fired from the bench at a distance of 100 yards with the same sight settings on the scope for each of the three groups.




















.




Left to right: 1. 62 grain Fusion, 2. 62 grain Gold Dot, 3. 64 grain Gold Dot, 4. 75 grain Gold Dot


...



Speer LE 64 Grain Gold Dot ICE (#24447)







This review looks at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 223 Remington loading of the Speer 64 grain “bonded” soft-point (#24447).





Left to right: 1) 62 grain Fusion, 2) 62 grain Gold Dot, 3) 64 grain Gold Dot, 4) 75 grain Gold Dot.






This ammunition comes loaded in brass cases. The primer pockets are crimped and sealed. The case-mouth is crimped but is not sealed. The round is charged with a ball powder. The case-head reads:

SPEER 13 223 REM






Velocity



I chronographed the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition from a semi-automatic AR-15 with a chrome-lined, NATO chambered, 20” Colt M16A2 barrel.









Chronographing was conducted using an Oehler 35-P chronograph with “proof screen” technology. The Oehler 35P chronograph is actually two chronographs in one package that takes two separate chronograph readings for each shot and then has its onboard computer analyze the data to determine if there is any statistically significant difference between the two readings. If there is a difference, the chronograph “flags” the shot to let you know that the data is invalid. There was no invalid data flagged during this testing.

The velocity stated below is the muzzle velocity as calculated from the instrumental velocity using Oehler’s Ballistic Explorer software program. The string of fire consisted of 10 rounds over the chronograph.














Each round was single-loaded and cycled into the chamber from a magazine fitted with a single-load follower. The bolt locked-back after each shot allowing the chamber to cool in between each shot. This technique was used to mitigate the possible influence of “chamber-soak” on velocity data. Each new shot was fired in a consistent manner after hitting the bolt release. Atmospheric conditions were monitored and recorded using a Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker.









Atmospheric conditions

Temperature: 76 degrees F
Humidity: 33%
Barometric pressure: 30.05 inches of Hg
Elevation: 950 feet above sea level


The muzzle velocity for the 10-shot string of the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition fired from the 20” Colt barrel was 2830 FPS with a standard deviation of 19 FPS and a coefficient of variation of 0.67%.


For those of you who might not be familiar with the coefficient of variation (CV), it is the standard deviation, divided by the mean (average) muzzle velocity and then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage. It allows for the comparison of the uniformity of velocity between loads in different velocity spectrums; e.g. 77 grain loads running around 2,650 fps compared to 55 grain loads running around 3,250 fps.

For comparison, the mil-spec for M193 allows for a coefficient of variation of approximately 1.2%, while one of my best 77 grain OTM hand-loads, with a muzzle velocity of 2639 PFS and a standard deviation of 4 FPS, has a coefficient of variation of 0.15%.












Accuracy


I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any group-reduction techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, butterfly Shots).

The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Also, a control group was fired from the test-rifle used in the evaluation using match-grade, hand-loaded ammunition; in order to demonstrate the capability of the barrel. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation.

All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The barrel used in the evaluation was free-floated. The free-float handguards of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold Competition Series 45x45mm scope adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shield was attached to the objective-bell of the scope. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below.









The Wind Probe.






The test vehicle for this accuracy evaluation was one of my Krieger barreled semi-automatic AR-15s. The barrel has a 5.56mm Match chamber with a 1:7.7” twist. Prior to firing the 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition, I fired a 10-shot control group using match-grade hand-loads topped with the Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing. That group had an extreme spread of 0.68”.













Three 10-shot groups of the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition were fired in a row with the resulting extreme spreads:

1.36”
0.98”
1.16”

for a 10-shot group average extreme spread of 1.17”. The three 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius for the 30-shot composite group was 0.36”.

The smallest 10-shot group . . .






The 30-shot composite group . . .









And for any Internet Commandos in our viewing audience today, here’s a pic of a 3-shot group of the 64 grain Gold Dot ICE load. The group has an extreme spread of 0.16”.







.....

[WDR]

I don't have any gel test data, but can attest to the fact that the Fusion/Gold Dot bullets work pretty well on deer sized game. I've shot a few deer and antelope with them, and my primary defensive guns are kept loaded with them.

My understanding is the "MSR" versions of Fusion are loaded a bit hotter than the .223. Not a huge difference, but it might be enough to make a finicky AR run a little better, vs the .223 pressure stuff.

ETA: I'm using Gold Dot now, but have used all three versions of the 62/64gr weight with good results. I have not shot any game with the 75gr Gold Dot, but wouldn't hesitate to use it for hunting or defense use.

[Jaywalker]

Thanks, Molon, and WDR.

[Default.mp3]

Strangely, my chrono data on the Fusion MSR is much higher than I anticipated and higher than what @Molon recorded.

Rifle	Ammo	Sample Size	Average (FPS)	Max (FPS)	Min (FPS)	SD (FPS)
CA 14.5" Unsuppressed	Federal Fusion MSR F223MSR1	8	2814	2836	2789	14.5
CA 14.5" Suppressed	Federal Fusion MSR F223MSR1	5	2850	2861	2834	10.4
CA 14.5" Suppressed	Federal Fusion MSR F223MSR1	15	2825	2865	2795	19

CA being Centurion Arms (a 16" cut down to 14.5"), the can used was a SureFire SOCOM556-RC, data was recorded with a MagnetoSpeed V3. I don't remember the weather I recorded this data on, but the extra ~200 FPS is pretty striking. Not sure when the ammo was manufactured, but the data was generated some time in 2017.

[spyderco monkey]

Whats nice is the Fusion still expands down to pretty low velocities.

Reviewer uses a reduced powder handload + 11.5" barrel to test Fusion at 1703fps impact velocity; bullet still expands and penetrates very well.

[Colt191145lover]

The Federal Fusion MSR load had remarkably good velocity out of my 12.5 Centurion Arms. Average was 2807 FPS

[LockedBreech]

The 62 grain Fusion projectiles have the same terminal ballistic properties as the 62/64 grain Gold Dot porjectiles.








Federal 62 Grain Fusion vsFederal 62 Grain Fusion MSR vs Speer LE 62 Grain Gold Dot






The muzzle velocities shown in the tables below were obtained back-to-back during the same chronograph session using recent lots of all three of the Fusion/Gold Dot loads chrongographed.

Atmospheric Conditions

Temperature: 73 degrees F (plus or minus one degree)
Barometric Pressure: 29.68 inches of Hg
Humidity: 62%
Altitude: 950 feet above sea level



Muzzle velocities from a 20” Colt M16A2 barrel with a NATO chamber, chrome lining and a 1:7” twist.







Muzzle velocities from a 14.5 Noveske N4 light barrel with a NATO chamber, chrome lining and a 1:7’ twist.






10-shot groups were fired from one of my precision AR-15s with a Lothar-Walther barrel with a 223 Wylde chamber and a 1:8” twist. The groups were fired from the bench at a distance of 100 yards with the same sight settings on the scope for each of the three groups.




















.




Left to right: 1. 62 grain Fusion, 2. 62 grain Gold Dot, 3. 64 grain Gold Dot, 4. 75 grain Gold Dot


...



Speer LE 64 Grain Gold Dot ICE (#24447)







This review looks at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 223 Remington loading of the Speer 64 grain “bonded” soft-point (#24447).





Left to right: 1) 62 grain Fusion, 2) 62 grain Gold Dot, 3) 64 grain Gold Dot, 4) 75 grain Gold Dot.






This ammunition comes loaded in brass cases. The primer pockets are crimped and sealed. The case-mouth is crimped but is not sealed. The round is charged with a ball powder. The case-head reads:

SPEER 13 223 REM






Velocity



I chronographed the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition from a semi-automatic AR-15 with a chrome-lined, NATO chambered, 20” Colt M16A2 barrel.









Chronographing was conducted using an Oehler 35-P chronograph with “proof screen” technology. The Oehler 35P chronograph is actually two chronographs in one package that takes two separate chronograph readings for each shot and then has its onboard computer analyze the data to determine if there is any statistically significant difference between the two readings. If there is a difference, the chronograph “flags” the shot to let you know that the data is invalid. There was no invalid data flagged during this testing.

The velocity stated below is the muzzle velocity as calculated from the instrumental velocity using Oehler’s Ballistic Explorer software program. The string of fire consisted of 10 rounds over the chronograph.














Each round was single-loaded and cycled into the chamber from a magazine fitted with a single-load follower. The bolt locked-back after each shot allowing the chamber to cool in between each shot. This technique was used to mitigate the possible influence of “chamber-soak” on velocity data. Each new shot was fired in a consistent manner after hitting the bolt release. Atmospheric conditions were monitored and recorded using a Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker.









Atmospheric conditions

Temperature: 76 degrees F
Humidity: 33%
Barometric pressure: 30.05 inches of Hg
Elevation: 950 feet above sea level


The muzzle velocity for the 10-shot string of the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition fired from the 20” Colt barrel was 2830 FPS with a standard deviation of 19 FPS and a coefficient of variation of 0.67%.


For those of you who might not be familiar with the coefficient of variation (CV), it is the standard deviation, divided by the mean (average) muzzle velocity and then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage. It allows for the comparison of the uniformity of velocity between loads in different velocity spectrums; e.g. 77 grain loads running around 2,650 fps compared to 55 grain loads running around 3,250 fps.

For comparison, the mil-spec for M193 allows for a coefficient of variation of approximately 1.2%, while one of my best 77 grain OTM hand-loads, with a muzzle velocity of 2639 PFS and a standard deviation of 4 FPS, has a coefficient of variation of 0.15%.












Accuracy


I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any group-reduction techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, butterfly Shots).

The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Also, a control group was fired from the test-rifle used in the evaluation using match-grade, hand-loaded ammunition; in order to demonstrate the capability of the barrel. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation.

All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The barrel used in the evaluation was free-floated. The free-float handguards of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold Competition Series 45x45mm scope adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shield was attached to the objective-bell of the scope. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below.









The Wind Probe.






The test vehicle for this accuracy evaluation was one of my Krieger barreled semi-automatic AR-15s. The barrel has a 5.56mm Match chamber with a 1:7.7” twist. Prior to firing the 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition, I fired a 10-shot control group using match-grade hand-loads topped with the Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing. That group had an extreme spread of 0.68”.













Three 10-shot groups of the Speer LE 64 grain Gold Dot ICE ammunition were fired in a row with the resulting extreme spreads:

1.36”
0.98”
1.16”

for a 10-shot group average extreme spread of 1.17”. The three 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius for the 30-shot composite group was 0.36”.

The smallest 10-shot group . . .






The 30-shot composite group . . .









And for any Internet Commandos in our viewing audience today, here’s a pic of a 3-shot group of the 64 grain Gold Dot ICE load. The group has an extreme spread of 0.16”.







.....

Really appreciated this thorough writeup, thank you.

[GJM]

I zeroed an AR15 at 50 yards today with PMC 55 ball. I then shot five rounds of the 62 grain Fusion at 50, and it hit coincident with the PMC, which is convenient. I really like the PMC 55 as shooter ammo.

[LOBO]

Thanks for this Molon!!!!!

Chris