[frogman]

Let's take a 580 series Ranch rifle, with an 18.5", 1:9" twist rate barrel. I know that 55 gr is optimal for this configuration, but what's lost when a heavier bullet, like a 62 gr green tip is fired through it? Does accuracy suffer, and if so, at what range would that become evident?

 

[frogman]

Thanks for the info Grumpy. The reason I asked is because I've run across more 62 gr Federal green tips in the last month or so, than anything else. These are the 420 rnd bulk cans too. I was wondering if I should get these when I find them, or hold out for the lighter 55 gr rounds. I didn't want to be throwing away money if they wouldn't shoot well in a late model Mini.

 

[frogman]

Hi frogman;

You lucky dog!!

If you can get the M855 62 grain LC (Lake City Arsenal mil surp which is what is marketed under the Federal name - check the brass, it should read LC xx where xx is the year of manufacture) at a reasonable cost I'd snag 'em. They are my preferred long range loading, and the only reason I don't cycle out all of my M193 ball and replace with M855 is cost and availability. I had already cycled through all my .223AE and Prvi, upgrading with M855 and M193 when the world went crazy last December. If Sandy Hook had never happened, by now I would be on my way to having 5k of M855 and the remaining dregs of M193 on their way down range during routine practice.

The only way to know for sure how your particular mini will do is to try 'em out and see. They should be fine though if my experiences have been any guide. Careful about the M856 though - that's the "long trace" loading and it may not shoot so well out of a 1:9 bbl. I haven't tried any out of my 1:9 twist mini yet, since my range down here does not allow tracers. Usually those are marketed in a red box under the Federal name.

All the best,
Grumpy
PS Just be sure not to overpay. There is a LOT of price gouging going on now. Not sure what "fair" is, but in this neck of the woods, M193 is about 50 cents a pop. Before Sandy Hook I was paying 45 cents a pop on M855 and 40 cents a pop for M193 to put it into context.

The prices have been anywhere from .45 to .47 per round. I picked up a couple of cans (before this thread) thinking less than optimal was better than nothing at all. Now that I know, and as long as prices stay good, I'll grab all that I can. Thanks again for clearing up the differences, and glad I didn't go wrong w/ the two cans I bought.