66 G&A october 2019 |whAt‘s in A nAme.PERFORMANCELOAD
VELOCITY
(FPS) ES SD
BEST
GROUP
(IN.)
AVG.
GROUP
(IN.)
Frontier 5.56 NATO 68-gr. BTHP 2,840 69 28 1.13 2.8
Frontier 5.56 NATO 62-gr. FMJ 3,084 82 36 1.88 2.63
Frontier 5.56 NATO 5 5-gr. FMJ 3,136 49 17 3.38 4.3
notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups fired at 100 yards from a
sandbag rest. Velocity is the average of five shots measured by a Chrony Beta Chrono-
graph. The rifle was a Windham Weaponry WW15 with 16-inch, 1:8-inch-twist barrel.mercial cartridge. The 5.56 has a longer and larger-diameter throat
and freebore that allows the projectile to jump further to the
rifling. The 5.56 also operates at higher pressure than the .223.
The .223 has a smaller diameter and shorter throat and
freebore with less jump to the rifling than the 5.56, which gives
the .223 an edge in accuracy. Because of these differences in the
throat and freebore, you should not fire 5.56 NATO in a .223
Rem. chamber. This will cause elevated pressures that can pierce
primers and damage your firearm. It is safe to fire .223 in the
5.56 because the longer throat of the 5.56 causes a pressure and
velocity drop.
Another significant difference in the two is that the 5.56 uses a
20-inch pressure- and velocity-test barrel as opposed to the 24-
inch test barrel used for the .223 Rem. This is why you may see
lower velocities listed for 5.56 with the same bullet weight as the
.223 despite the 5.56’s higher operating pressure. Velocities listed
are from the standard-length test barrels.At The Range For this article, I tested Frontier 5.56 NATO
loadings with the 55-grain FMJ, 62-grain FMJ and 68-grain
BTHP Match. I fired five, five-shot groups at 100 yards with
each load through a Windham Weaponry 16-inch M4-style
carbine and a 4X optic. All loads functioned flawlessly and had
ejection patterns that were consistent. All spent cases dropped
within a small area. The 55-grain FMJ load did not seem to like
the fast 1-in-8-inch barrel twist. I found the 62-grain FMJ and
68-grain BTHP match loads to be reasonably accurate. They were
significantly more accurate than what I have come to expect
from M855 and M193 ammo, and knockoffs, through my gun.
The new Frontier line should have a load that will satisfy most
shooters needs in a low-cost round for just about any application
and AR-15 configuration.The Future As good as the Hornady Frontier line of ammo is, I
would look for it to continue to expand and include new bullet
weights in each caliber. For those of us who are 7.62 fans, wouldn’t
it be nice to have a a .308 Win. load that was of higher quality and
produced better accuracy than the M80 Ball round? And maybe
match and hunting-style offerings at very competitive prices?
Hornady has done an excellent job of honoring the roots of the
Hornady ammunition product line with the reintroduction of the
Frontier brand. This new Frontier ammo carries on the brand’s
legacy of high-quality, trouble-free performance, and good
accuracy at a very attractive price. You’ll have a hard time finding
a low-cost line of ammo with as many offerings and of better
quality than Hornady’s Frontier.MI Combat Rifle Sights
For AR-15/M4/M16 Rifles and other platforms
◆Super low profile when down, flip up to Mil-Spec height
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precision and close range rapid engagement
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ty and crisp positioning
◆Constructed of ordnance grade phosphate finished steel
and hard coated 6061 aluminum
◆Front Sight: 1.5 MOA per click adjustments - Rear Sight:
Rifle .5 MOA / Carbine .65 MOA click adjustments
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MI Combat Rifle Front Sight#MI-CRS-F.. Retail $84.95
MI Combat Rifle Rear Sight#MI-CRS-R... Retail $84.95
MI Combat Rifle Sight Set- Combat Rifle Front and Rear
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W292S4498 Hillside Road, Waukesha, WI 53189
Tel: 262-896-6780, Fax: 262-896-6756