I give big kudos to my friends over at bulkammo.com, as they
have been patiently waiting for over 6 months to me mange to get a post out on
a box of ammo they sent me. After initially discussing what I would be
interested in testing, they agreed to send me a box of their 55 Grain Fiocchi PSP cartridges.
What impressed me most about this ammo is its ability to
cycle flawlessly in my R15. This was a relief, as I patiently work my way
through over 500 rounds of budget level Herter’s ammo, I purchased at Cabelas. What is most unfortunate about this budget level ammo is its less than stellar performance in my R15. More below on this cycling problem.
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| FIOCCHI at 100 Yards |
What many fail to consider when
selecting ammo, for their semi automatic rifles, is not only the ammo’s down range
performance but also its ability to cycle properly. Unless cycling through a
newly cleaned firearm, the budget level Herter’s cartridges, just didn’t
provide consistent performance. It just goes to show that when you pay a little
bit more for quality ammo, you will be rewarded by increased performance. 18 rounds of the Fiocchi loads, screamed through my heavily used R15 with absolutely NO hesitation. (Why only 18 rounds and not 20 you ask? Well, I need at least two rounds to test the penetration ballistics on the coyotes!!)
In terms of hunting, inside of 50 yards there is little
noticeable difference between the various .223 Rem. ammo types in terms of
group size. Even the worst functioning ammo I have tested to date, is capable of
pulling small enough groups to kill any predator from coyote to bobcat to prairie dog that manages to scurry, creep, crawl or scamper into that range. Stretch this yardage out, however, and you quickly begin to
identify large gaps between individual shots. By the time you are out to 300
yards, shot inconsistencies not apparent at 50 yards are easily recognizable.
When shooting at extended ranges buy the best ammo you can afford, to
ensure you make an ethical kill shot at the animal you are pursuing.
Lastly, when hunting it is vital that we examine a bullets ability to properly mushroom upon
impact with a game animal and maintain its lethal nature despite what it may
encounter. This "lethal" test remains yet to be determined with the Fiocchi PSP ammo and
is likely to be determined sometime after the snows fall and coyote night
hunting begins in the state of Maine.
As the season for night coyote hunting begins around the middle of December, I am sure you will hear more
about this tale in the near future!
I would have been more impressed if you had said, "Only one round remains saved for the glorified opportunity that waits before me"...
ReplyDeleteI'm predator ready my man, December vacation?
I can see that despite your years of intensive tutelage in your valiant attempts to make me a man, I continue to disappoint.
ReplyDeleteHow about Jan 28th for a pike/yote adventure. Just this year please remember to bring a fresh change of underwear!
During basic training the Drill Sargent burned into our brains the maximum effective range of the M-16 in 223 is 400 meters. The M-60 in 308 Nato is as far as the eye can see!!! Now the problem for most sportsman is were do we find a 400 meter rifle range. Most guys that I have guided can't shoot efficiently past 100 feet let alone 100 meters, and with the wind blowing at even 5mph could not hit the broadside of the barn at 300 yards,just because we read about a cartridges effectiveness does not mean you or I could make the shot.BY the way I qualified experyt in both the M-16 and the M -60
ReplyDeleteI agree, I have seen a lot of "sportsmen" shoot and many are WAY beyond their abilities at 300 yards.
ReplyDeleteWith the AR15 in .223, seated and with an attached bi-pod, I can hit a tin can sized target consistently at 200 yards (9 for 10). This is a lethal combination on coyotes.
Deer hunting in the thick Maine woods is typically 100 yards or MUCH less unless you are hunting a power line.
I wouldn't attempt a shot beyond my "perceived" abilities on a deer BUT I would have no problems stretching my maximums on a coyote.