Range Report Need help with round choice for sniper class

[western131]

I'm fairly new around here and i've gained a lot of information by searcing and reading posts. Now I've got a question that I need some help with. I am attending a LEO sniper course that starts on Monday and need help with choosing my ammo. I only have two choices because that's all we have at the moment. I would prefer to have FGMM 69grSMK but we could not get it ordered in time. So my two choices are Winchester Ranger RA223R 55gr PSP or Federal Tactical TRU 55gr BTHP. Accordng to Federal the bullets in the TRU are 55gr SMK's so that is the round that I am leaning towards. I shot both yesterday but getting a good group was hard due to 20-30mph wind gusts at the range yesterday. I do have both available so should I just take the TRU or take both and decide once I get to class?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

Sierra does not make a 55gr HPBT MatchKing.

They make a fair number of 55gr bullets, they are all good bullets, but none of them are MatchKings.

The 55gr FMJBT-W/C is a GameKing, good ballistics, matches the GI 55gr, and is good on pelts for fur hunters. Good for penetration.

The HPBT is also a GameKing, and my experience with it in both .223 and .22-250 chamberings is very good on varmints, more to the explosive side. As a disrupter, it's got game.

Either one will take out a perp DRT with proper placement.

If I had the option, I would take a full complement of each type of ammo.

Where situations permit, it could be advantageous to know how each performs/compares under individual circumstances. Just don't make a pest out of yourself.

Greg

 

[Sig685]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

I believe the Federal TRU 55 is a 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, which is a fine bullet.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

+10 for the 55NBT.

 

[western131]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sig685</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe the Federal TRU 55 is a 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, which is a fine bullet. </div></div>

The rounds that we have are the T223E and the label on the case lists them as 55grSMK which I thought was strange since I have never seen a 55gr SMK for sale just the game king that was mentioned above. I guess I will just take both. Thanks for the input.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

There are four (4) different TRU 223 55gr offerings; T223A is loaded with a 55gr Hi-Shok Spire point; T223E is loaded with a 55gr SMK; T223F is loaded with a 55gr Nosler BT; T223S is loaded with a 55gr Barnes Triple Shock-X bullet. They also have 43gr, 50gr, 64gr, 69gr and 77gr bullets in .223.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

OK, I'm confused. I don't doubt the TRU offering uses a 55gr SMK. I guess it's just not available to the public at large.

Before I posted above, I took the time to review the .224" diameter bullets listed at the Sierra site; and that's what i based my post upon. But it wouldn't surprise me to find they sell an unlisted bullet to a commercial ammo maker.

I will not dispute Sig's info, I'm pretty sure he (and lot of ather people, too) know more about this than I do and I'm happy to defer to his info.

Greg

 

[Sig685]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

If it's on the Internet somewhere, I will find it; I am that good.

Here is where I got my information:
http://le.atk.com/general/federalproducts/rifle/tacticaltru.aspx

 

[Lindy]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">T223E is loaded with a 55gr SMK;</div></div>

Not according to the Federal web site. They say it's loaded with a 55 grain Sierra BTHP, which is not the same thing as a Matchking.

Note that the T223M and the T223M3 <span style="font-weight: bold">are</span> loaded with Matchkings.

The web site is here.

And that's why Sierra doesn't list a 55 grain Matchking - there isn't one.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

Well, knock me over with a feather. When I saw Sierra 55gr HPBT, I just ASSumed that it was a Matchking because I believed that all Gameking bullets were a Spire point of some sort.

So, I went over to Sierra's site and lo and behold, they have a few Gameking that are HPBT and even a couple that are FMJBT. And there is the 55gr HPBT, it's a Gameking bullet.

BTW, the website you link to is the exact same I linked to earlier.

 

[Pete E]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

Remmyshooter,

Looking at the choice of round from a different perspective, does your Dept or the people running the course have a policy on what you should be using?

I have heard of some Dept's only using FMJ to save all the associated hassle of being accused of using "dum-dums" after a shooting...

Regards,

Peter

 

[western131]

Re: Need help with round choice for sniper class

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete E</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remmyshooter,

Looking at the choice of round from a different perspective, does your Dept or the people running the course have a policy on what you should be using?

I have heard of some Dept's only using FMJ to save all the associated hassle of being accused of using "dum-dums" after a shooting...

Regards,

Peter </div></div>

No policy yet but I am sure that I will be writing one for the chief to approve after I get back from class. I plan to use FGMM in 69gr and I've already ordered 1K rounds of it but it will not be here in time for the class which starts tomorrow.So without it getting here I am stuck using what we already have on-hand. As far a the BTHP rounds I am not worried about any hassle from using them since we use GDHP's in our handguns. If I fire a round at anyone from this rifle I intend on them not getting back up and FMJ .223 is known to blow right on through and I want it to fragment and cause as much damage as possible. I am more worried about shooting someone with FMJ it overpenetrating and hitting someone behind the person that I shot.