Are 5.56 MATCH Bullets More ACCURATE Than FMJ From An AR-15? 

Man I swear this channel is gonna be huge soon. Your videos are awesome man. Edit: the 75 grain frontier must identify as Californian ammo being that they are high and left 😆.

back when I was a deadly marksman and rifleman before being disabled and outher health issues with my savage 110 varminter I reload many bulletsrai weights between 52-53 gr match up to 63 gr serria psp flat base. the 63 gr shot equal to the match bullets so I reload serria 63gr2 and Winchester 64 gr psp and shoot great. I haven't had a223/5.56 in over 25 years . many years ago when I was at my best shooting two deer with serria 55 gr psp I had two deer down with neck shots in 7 seconds with my 22 -250. I enjoyed your video. nanna and papa wishing you well

Every AR that I have has it's own personality, but my favorite one gives me groups that have no discernable differences in accuracy and POI with 55 and 62g. There's no accounting for barrel harmonics without putting rounds through it, and knowing for sure. I only have 16" and 20" for 5.56, but .300 blackout can make me crazy with the ammo selection availability.

Nice test, thanks for sharing! I would guess the 75gr is not key-holing, but may appear so because it's not hitting flat paper, but that oblique angle of the plate. Looking at the bullet holes in the wood behind the plate might tell the true story.

Each of this ammunition has its own intended use. The M193 is good for anti personnel. It tumbles when contacting personnel with not too much over penetration. The M855 Green Tip is meant for breaching barriers to contact personnel with good results. The 75 and 77 grain ammo is very accurate for extended distances with great stability.

Not surprised the 855s shot the best. It's kinda that in between twist rate. Though, sometimes that doesn't even make as much of a difference as the specific anmo manufacturer. You could have done this out of that rifles twinn and gotten different groups. It would be neat to see this test from a 1:7 and 1:9 twist. However that could be expensive. Awesome video.

Yep, it seems that the Win 855 is the most accurate. I have 3 rifles with the 1:8 twist but they have 16 inch barrels. The 75 gr bullet does appear to be starting to keyhole and at a further distance it would have keyholed enough to hit the target sideways or not at all

Pretty decent shooting, not bad groups from an ar. Surprised the m855 shot so good. I figured it would be one of the match bullets. Thanks for sharing!

I got the best group ever thru a 14.5 P&W 1-9 heavy barrel and Hornaday 55 grain V-Max (.60). I was surprised as I was expecting some Hornady Black 75 grain BTHP to be the tack driver. Same platform gave me average sized groups of 1.5 or so with assortments of 62 grain and surprisingly precise shot placement on small steels at 500M with 30+ Israeli surplus M193. So different guns like different ammo. I’d say that Ruger likes the M855.

Loved this video!! I have all of these rounds and have tested none of them. So it was really cool to see how they did. My gun is a 16” with a 1/7 twist so I wander how it would do with the heavier stuff vs. the lighter stuff based on your results. You have inspired me to get mine out to the range and try the variety that I have on hand. Kind of been saving it for a rainy day if you know what I mean. But at this point curiosity has gotten the better of me.

I was expecting the same as you. A bit surprised at the M855 doing better. The precision was good. Now lets talk about that accuracy. 👀 🤣 Next video to be a rezero of the scope? Great video, Tools.

It's not necessarily one is more accurate over the other. Different barrels like different rounds. It means your particular gun likes one over the others. With a different gun your results may be completely different. Love your videos. Thank you for the awesome content. Looking forward to many more videos.

I've got 500 rounds of the 68 grain Frontier coming in later this week. Your results give me some hope that this wasn't a waste of my money. Of course my rifle (1:7 twist) and my abilities do not necessarily equal the next guys...or girls rifle or abilities.

This was a really fun VIDEO Tools, liked the shout out to WTW. I was surprised at the results of the green tip. Although any group less than 1" at 100 yards is really good shooting. Wonder how you'd do with a 12 or 16 power scope. Thank for the video and your time & effort Tools. I look forward to each and every video. Usually learn a lot more than I thought I would just by reading the title. Be safe and ever vigilant.

I don’t know much about the AR platform even though I have one. All rounds are well within minute of man. Very good performance in my opinion. Thank You for another great video Tools.

I love the frontier stuff and also the green tips. Pmc makes some good green tips too. I use a 16 barrel1/7 twist

Good video. Nice to see group testing with different ammo. If you can get your hands on some, try Winchester silvertip 223 64 gr.

Great test! 1:8 twist is best for 62 grains bullet, 1:9 twist best for 50 grains to 55 grains bullet, 1:7 twist best for 69 grains up

Yessir been waiting on an AR video, I’ve got a few new ones myself and I’ve been waiting to see ya do some testing. (Plus MOST of America is looking up videos about this platform and calibers so it’ll be great exposure for the channel) my absolute favorite channel on RU-vid 👌🏻❤️🎉

I've noticed that my 5.56 AR will even shoot the cheap steel case ammo at under 2 inch . The stuff it really likes at close to 1/2 inch . So all and all , about anything I throw in it will get the job done .

In my 16 inch with 1n8 twist 62 grain has been spot on.

That rifle likes those M855 greenies...a little righty and downie on the zoomie oughtah "do me."

Well now this was a interesting video and very interesting results. I never thought you had a fast enough riflings to stabilize at 75 grain bullet, you probably needed at least a one and seven rate of twist. You probably could benefit from a scope on that AR with a little bit more magnification at that distance.

I just bought 120 rounds of the Hornady Frontier .223 - 68 GR BTHP Match. I'm taking out to the range tomorrow and will see what it does at 100 yards. What ear plugs are you wearing?

With your rifle being a 1:8 twist, the 62gr green tips are probably going to be the best performance out of that barrel. If you had a 1:7 twist barrel, then the 77gr ones would likely perform the best and the 55gr would be best out of a 1:9 or 1:10 twist barrel.

I also have a Ruger AR , 16" about the same results. Great budget rifle, less than 1" MOA, loves 62 grain in the 1:8 twist. My " DMR ". 1-8x LPVO. 10.3" for 200 and in.

I have always heard that the green tips were less accurate because of the steel core and the 1:8 twist is actual good for heavy and lightweight. I was thinking 75gr would be the performer. What is the power range of your riflescope ?

My only question in regard to "accuracy testing" would involve the consistency of results from lot to lot of the same ammunition. Eg. - Would the results of Lot 5678 be the same as the results of Lot 1234. I would think that shot to shot variation might differ between different Lots of manufacture. If the barrel harmonics is a constant , then shooter proficiency and shot to shot deviation are the only variables. Why not just use chrono tests to determine the shot to shot deviation of the ammunition ? Lastly, a hot barrel might react differently from a cold barrel. Shooting ammo types 1,2,3,4 with "accuracy" deteriorating as the barrel heats up would favor ammo 1 as the most accurate. Wouldn't you have to rotate the order the ammo is fired (1,2,3,4...2,3,4,1...3,4,1,2...4,1,2,3) in order to eliminate the heat stress variable from the equation ? I use my guns for hunting predominately in thickly wooded areas A " quick follow up shot" is rarely available. The first shot is usually the only shot you get so in my particular circumstances I'm not certain about how relevant 5 shots fired in relatively quick succession would be.

I did choose the M855 to be the winner, but I also agree that the weights of the 2 sub moa groups is probably near the optimal bullet weight for your barrel length and twist rate.

I’ve had similar results with the M193 and M855. With the Hornady Frontier, my results were better but the load was a 223 55 gr BTHP. That was out of a 16” 1:7 twist barrel. I haven’t had an opportunity to try anything heavier yet.

I have the same model MPR as yours but mine prefers the 55gr M193. About 0.3" tighter groups on average than M855. Fed 62gr FMJ also does well. That said, any of them will do the job if you do yours. The polymer tipped projectiles perform exceptionally well, including the lightweight 45gr V-MAX for varmints.

So we used the m855 in m16A2s that had a 1/7 twist in 20” barrel. So you definitely had interesting results. None of my ARs are set up for accuracy. That’s for the M1A us for.

Definitely I like accuracy videos, and you kept it quick and to the point. So pretty awesome. One I would like to see is the 350 legend.

So glad you did this AR test been waiting for a good accuracy test thanks for all the time you spend making these videos would like to see the 223 rounds as well

Love your accuracy testing! I only use the Winchester 855 green tip, so I was glad to see that you had great consistency with them as well!! Thank you my friend! Looking forward to more of your videos! They make my day for sure!! Stay safe!!🇺🇸👍🏻

Awesome results I’m going to be deer hunting with my ruger mpr this year. Thx for the results

Frontier 5.56 55 grain HP Match loaded in my AR 15 Mag's are my current "go-to" for Home Defense. I also have the Winchester 62gr Green Tips when over-penetration is the goal. At the Range, I've been slumming with Wolf .223 55Gr FMJ. I'm no Daniel Boone, but the Frontier goes where I point it. It's running through a 16" Barrel, 1/9 Twist.

Those are good results, being a senior myself shooting gets to be a bit more challenging as time passes and some rifles prefer certain bullets.

Im happy to see how well the M855 did. Nice when a regular ole runna the mill load can hang with the rest. Preciate ya tests sir

Great data !! Thanks for the tests !!

Another good video! I'd suggest repeating this test with 5 shots each. BTW the Federal Gold Medal Match ammo that always worked was 68 gr BTHP with 25.4 grains of Win 748 powder. I've loaded lots of that.

I’ve got the same gun. And mine shots the frontier 75 grain at ~.9 inches with 5 shot groups. I’ll have to try some of the 68 grain.

Think it depends on the rifle. This exact test is the next one for me, next time at the range. Thanks for giving me something to compare with, as I just got an 18"1-8.

The 75gr results were due to hitting the edge of the plate. 1:8 twist can stabilize up to 80gr in some cases (berger fullbores are fully stable). M855 is usually trashy accuracy wise in most barrels. Consider yourself very fortunate that m855 is so accurate for you!

Nice info ! Thanks for all you do !

Now we’re talkin! 👍🏼

My experience with M855 is that it depends on the supplier. I have one batch of Indian made ammo that does easily a 6" or greater group. (I just use it now for short range practice.) The best I've gotten my hands on has been PMC brand M855. My best groups were with 62 gr Hornady BTHP Match, sub MOA, but they discontinued that (of course). I have shot 68gr BTHP Match .223 that tends to deliver about 1.5 " groups. Not had a chance to shoot the 68gr 5.56 BTHP Match. Heavier bullets seem to be worse.

Nice test, brother. I've seen some very fine groups from 62-69 grain bullets from a wide variety of AR-pattern rifles...seems top be the sweet spot for most. My go-to for accuracy is a handload with 69 grain Nosler Custom Competition HPBTs. I recently bought an adjustable-objecive scope with a lot more magnification than I usually use and mounted it in some good quality quick-detach Picatinny rings so I can swap it onto different firearms specifically for load testing. Then I go back to my usual optic or open sights, but at least know what the absolute accuracy potential is.

It isn’t the grains that makes the bullets unstable in a certain twist rate. It’s the length of the projectile.

Thanks for the video. Your test has confirmed my results as well from 3 barrel lengths of Colt M4 variations. The 855 surprised me at 100 yards with MOA capabilities vs. the 193. I haven't tried at further ranges yet. All 1 in 7 twist barrels suppressed. Point of impact between the two though was negligible.

Hey Tools! My pick was the 68gr. Match Frontier. But very good variety of ammo tested. The 855 was a surprise. As far as your accuracy test keep on keeping on brother good stuff. Appreciate your dedication and honest commentary. Stay safe and have a good week my friend.

Have done almost the same thing with 1:8 Springfield Armory Saint Edge. The M855 shot surprisingly well. The best for me was Frontier 55gr boat tail match hollow points. Using a 1:7 twist rifle, IMI 77 gr OTM was awesome. They ain't cheap but are very accurate.

Them 75gr T2's with the cannelure are so nasty in the gel!! Some of my all time favorite bullets for defense or hunting! You gotta try em in the jelly👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

I have both a 1:9 twist (62 grain is the heaviest I shoot out of it) and a 1:8 twist (69 grain is the heaviest I use for it). I have tried the Frontier 68 grain and have had similar results (okay but not memorable). I would be really interested to see some Black Hills match ammo, that accuracy is pretty notorious.

Great video and good shooting! Agree that the heavier bullets weren't stabilized as well with your twist rate. The whoteewho paper plates worked well!

I googled Ruger MPR and it's a 1/8 twist barrel, that's why the heavier weights weren't as accurate, they're meant to perform best w/ a 1/7 twist

Out of my 1:7 PSA 18in I can get almost same hole groups, including 3 leaf clovers almost consistently from just a bench at 50yds with M855. I’ve found PMC is alittle slower at 2,960fps instead of 3,060fps and has been incredibly consistent from my rifle. 62gr and 55gr FMJ are both accurate enough but not great from this rifle but it goes to show you, you can hear plenty of antidotes about M855 not being accurate yet this is yet another test that proves they are viable. 1:8 is great for 62gr and 68gr, but can handle 55gr and 77gr pretty well. 1:12 is for 55gr only, 1:9 55-62, 1:8 for 62-68, 1:7 for 62-77. That’s just from what I’ve seen though. 1:8 is for everything if you just like shooting whatever you can get.

Bc is one main factor so longer bullets should mean more accurate so one would think

As far as the .223 goes, I've always gotten the best results with Remington Green & White box 55 grain FMJ's. Of course, that was back when Remington was made by Remington, don't know if the new Remington ammo will stand up to the old. I was really surprised by the good results from the M855, as well as with the poor results with the M193. I thought best to worst would have been the 68 grain, then the M193, then the M855, then the 75 grain.

The M855 ammo shoots the best out of my M&P10 that has a 16 inch barrel and 1:9 twist

So cool ! Your targets here are like most of mine. Nothing fancy, just something to put holes in ! Once again, thanks for the great and enjoyable video. Take care brother!

Very interesting test. Really enjoyed it. I was surprised!

Shoot a target which can be scored at 300 yards for most meaningful results. The match 75’s and 77’s will usually rule for a multitude of reasons. A 1/8 twist will easily stabilize these.

I have to admit that I am not a fan of the Ruger 1 in 8 twist barrel. I feel the 1 in 7 twists barrels will give batter accuracy with most bullet weight. This Ruger's barrel obviously favors the M 855 and 68 grain loads and doesn't work well with the 55 grain loads. This pretty much confirms what I've run into before. Good test, Tools!

I have all of the ammo above and I’m tickled on how well the green tips did. My rifle is a one in seven and my results are usually faveriing the heavier grains

I couldn’t even begin to guess which is most accurate. I do have the white box rounds in each of those grain weights and the Frontier in 55 gr. Haven’t tried them. Closest range to me only allows shooting frangible crap indoors. This is why your channel is important to me, so I get to see real results. Hoo_Tee_Tools 😄👍🇺🇸👊

I have a Ruger 18” 556 as well. Same rifle. The barrel is CHF beautiful rifle.

Interesting test. I don't think I've seen the M855 group that well in all my years. That Frontier Match is good stuff for what it costs. I have tons of it in both weights, and it shoots sub-MOA in the rifles I have that are capable of it. They're all 1/7 twist, though.

I would be surprised if the 75 is unstable. They fly fine in 1:8. I had bad groups with LC 193 & great groups with IWI Razor 69 SMK. Out of 2 separate 16" 1:7 carbines. The IWI M855 was really surprisingly very good out of both also. Check your brass with your 68bthp Frontier some time. I was getting ejector burs on most of my brass & all had some type of pressure signs.

Use a card stock circle stencil and cheap black, red (or color of your choice) paint to make the target plates

Awesome video 👍 👌 Love the custom targets... Need to get some of those lol 😆 🤣😂

I am currently doing ammo accuracy ‘research’ with a Mark 12 Mod 0(Bergara 18” with 1/8 twist). I have tested a lot of the big named “Match” ammo(Nosler CC 69-77gr, Wilson Combat 77gr, Black hills 69-77gr, Hornady 69,70,75gr, Federal 69-73,70,77, IMI, AA, Winchester…etc). The ammo that consistently has the best group is the “cheap” Hornady Frontier 75gr. I have used several different lot numbers and it is sub MOA every time. It beats the BLack Hill’s ammo(77otm, 77smk, 69stmk), which I was very surprised about. Idky, but 2 of my rifles love the Hornady Frontier. If anyone has better accuracy with other rounds, send me the name of the ammunition and grain weight so I can try them.

Appreciate the long range accuracy work.

Could you try out of a 16" length rifle with 1:7 twist?

75 grain BTHP should be fine in 1:8 twist, 75 grain ELD-Match need 1:7 twist and prefer longer barrel to stabilize and maximize BC. Good test!

This is a decent "general accuracy test" for YOUR rifle. It would no doubt very from rifle to rifle with so many slight variations in each one. Im not telling you anything you dont know, just leaving a comment. Real accuracy comes from a rifle that has been completely TRUED, and the ammunition is specifically tailored to the chamber, head space and lead in fire formed brass for that rifles chamber and barrel. That process is usually set up for bolt actions but im sure theres some serious AR15 shooters out there in the .223 category. Im suprised with the accuracy of the M855 and not at all suprised with the other 3. Hornady had been getting mixed reviews on their frontie line offerings. But tbay could be from people shooting certain bullet weights out of barrels that arent meant for it. Its case by case and i wouldnt personally know. Anyways, fun video. Keep up the good work!

If you can find some maybe try some varmint rounds against the ball and target rounds.

Truth is, the Hornady 68gr is a longer bullet than the 75 and is more dependent on a faster twist.

I was looking at spotting scopes a while back, you can find some good deals these days, forgot all about them though

That was a really fun video , with who tee who's targets lol . nice video Tools . the m193 was my first guess . I was wrong .

I carry Hornady Frontier 75gr BTHP match ammo in my duty rifle, a suppressed AR15 SBR. I use a BA Hanson barrel 10.3, l get crazy sub MOA groups at 100 yards with this ammo. This ammo is my duty ammo and also my home defense ammo, since my rifle has double duty.

With 1:8 Twist rate, 75gr should give you the best group. I would try the 75gr bullet again. I have zero luck with 68gr Horndy and my 1:8 bolt rifle.

I didn't know which would do better as I don't have an AR , yet anyhow, thinking ar10. Gettin all sciencey with "control groups" ya can't see from there ! 🤣, I would have similar issue, my eyes gotten bad last 5yrs. Did you have the WTW trademark in teenie writing on those penny plates !?😅 I'm enjoying the content , Nice work sir !

Awesome review!! I do like the Frontier ammo. It shoots very good out of my CVA Optima.

What's the twist of the barrel? 75 grain should be used in a 1/7 twist... it won't stabilize correctly in a 1/8 or 1/9

I have NEVER seen green tips outshoot everything else in any test out of any gun. I have always found them to be blasting ammo and not anything you could call accurate. If you actually had that rifle zeroed in, I wouldn't be a bit afraid to feed it the old green tips exclusively.

I wish more people did 10 shot groups, especially with guns/ammunition that'll be shot multiple times. Need to see what barrel heat does to groups.

Keep up the accuracy tests, Kind of like the Jelly testing same weight vs different loads

It also depends on what ammo grain you zeroed your rifle too. I’m shooting tight groups with cheap 55 gr but barely on paper with 75 gr hornady

thumbs up for the whootie whoo reference

I really enjoyed that test....great job

Winchester 55 gr. My guess accuracy depends on barrel length, barrel twist, and type of bullet gun digest, also barrel heat, and being clean.

I use alot of frontier m193 seems good their 223 loading I found is near identical but I have either m193 or m855 in magazines match ammo might be a benefit for some things but not for stocking for emergency use least on my budget

Another great video Tools enjoy all your videos Stay Safe Stay 2A Strong 🇺🇸

Excellent vid my good sir!!!

nice. i just bought some frontier match 68gr and 77gr to try in my 20in 1:8 wylde gun and then i run into this. its sub MOA with the 62gr Norma ss109 ive been using lately. I'll see how it goes

Looking forward to your .223 accuracy test curious to see how those perform. I have shot lately the Norma, Tula and Federal. I've also shot in the past PMC.

I seen Primary Arms has a brand new 1 X 10 X 28 with ACSS Reticle!!! Launch price of $449. I think that 28mm vs 24mm that is common might let in more light. Plus the X 10.

I know all about they eye deal , I like the accuracy test . I post my results on facebook LOL , I don't have a you-tube channel . As always I really enjoy your videos . If you ever get out here to South Dakota let me know.

I've always gotten great accuracy with 855. Mine is zeroed at 100 yards and I usually get a little more or less one MOA. Great test WHO-TE... Oops, I mean Tools. Just a little poke at the paper plates, lol.