Watched a guy this past weekend shoot an NRA 100 yard reduced match, an 800 aggregate.
I have watched this guy's performance skyrocket over the past year. He has even beat me a couple times and I thought "WOW", he is really coming along.
This was the 3rd consecutive match for him to earn his Master classification.
For some reason, he thought "It is only 100 yards, so I will use M855 Green Tips"!
I laughed internally, did not want him to have any negative thoughts in his head prior to the match, but afterwards we discussed, and he will NEVER use that stuff again.
His standing was OK, like a 91% average.....I think the ammo did not help his cause much, but it likely did not hurt him much on his feet at 100 yards.
Then things went SOUTH fast....
By the time he go to the MR-31 target, his slow prone score was like 80%! His group size at 100 yards with the 855 green tip stuff was like 6 MOA! This was out of a match grade AR15, feeding it M855 is akin to driving a Yugo at a NASCAR event. This is a guy that can shoot regularly 97% or better slow prone!
I've said it before, and I will say it again, that stuff is awful. Were I to stumble upon some for free, I would absolutely have zero issues using it for standing practice, but only for practice.
~Caveat: It will work just fine in a centerfire at a 25 meter AQT event, I have seen it done, and it will "maybe" work OK for a 400 yard KD event~
But there are better choices. Consider that most people have to drive a significant distance to attend a KD event, why would you skimp on the ammo?
I'm not recommending anyone go out and buy several hundred rounds of Federal Gold Medal Match, but....M855 is never the best choice, there are much better "middle of the road" options available.
I am prior mil, and know a few things about the GUV. Consider this, likely some of that MILSURP stuff failed some sort of an inspection, and that is why it is available. I'm not certain, but have heard that the acceptance criteria for accuracy is ~4MOA, so obtaining MILSURP stuff may or may not perform to that ~4MOA standard.
For me.....M855 is the equivalent of that Remington Golden box o' bullets for the 10/22.
What about HXP in the Garand or other wood rifles? Is that the best choice?
A resounding NO...LOL
Sure, the price is right, and it is somewhat readily available, but that stuff kicks like a mule. For 200 yards and in with the Garand as of late, I have been using 125 grain bullets with great success. I would likely not use it for a KD event out to 400 yards, but it can and has been done. Again, likely several other "middle of the road" options there.
If you have plans to attend a KD event, my suggestion is that you give yourself some sort of an advantage wherever possible prior to the event, and ammo is one of those advantages.
I like Gemtech .22 LR subs.. incredibly consistent for a 25m shoot.
Have not tried Eley as of yet.. but getting groups the size of my little fingernail... don't think I need to...
"What about HXP in the Garand or other wood rifles? Is that the best choice?"
Ruined my day. Here I sit with about 400 rounds of the Greek stuff sold at the CMP games, "cheap" (less than $.50). I might have to go into the Earthquake fund and buy a bunch of Honaday at $1.50 https://estore.thecmp.org/Catalog/Item/444H3006
Quote from: CarrollMS on October 11, 2019, 12:58:46 AM
"What about HXP in the Garand or other wood rifles? Is that the best choice?"
Ruined my day. Here I sit with about 400 rounds of the Greek stuff sold at the CMP games, "cheap" (less than $.50). I might have to go into the Earthquake fund and buy a bunch of Honaday at $1.50 https://estore.thecmp.org/Catalog/Item/444H3006
That's a great price for HXP, and it's perfectly fine for Appleseed or fun matches. If you're shooting for EIC points, cash prizes, or a steak dinner, by all means shoot something better.
HXP will get the job done for KD, I'm just offering that it is not the best of choices.
It is great brass, so I use it up, and then reload it just wish it did not have that primer pocket crimp.
Quote from: CarrollMS on October 11, 2019, 12:58:46 AM
"What about HXP in the Garand or other wood rifles? Is that the best choice?"
Ruined my day. Here I sit with about 400 rounds of the Greek stuff sold at the CMP games, "cheap" (less than $.50). I might have to go into the Earthquake fund and buy a bunch of Honaday at $1.50 https://estore.thecmp.org/Catalog/Item/444H3006
The best thing about M855 and HXP is the brass. Accuracy, not so much. But I buy it and shoot it for practice, save the brass for reloading with good quality bullets to get decent accuracy.
Agreed,
The benefits of both Lake City and HXP (Greek) brass are the quality for reloads.
R/
Chris
Quote from: kenjo on October 12, 2019, 12:26:44 AM
The best thing about M855 and HXP is the brass. Accuracy, not so much. But I buy it and shoot it for practice, save the brass for reloading with good quality bullets to get decent accuracy.