Freedom Munitions .233 Rem 55 gr FMJ muzzle velocity - Chronoed

[flyfishdave]

Needed an excuse to hit the range today so packed up the Oehler 35P chrono, some rifles and ammo.

On their website, Freedom Munitions lists their .223 Rem 55 gr FMJ @ 3250 fps average. My velocities out of an 18" JP light contour, .223 Wylde, measured much less, so I'm thinking that their average might be from a longer barrel.

String 1:

2868

2891

2904

2864

2874

2884

2837

2896

2877

AVG = 2877

SD = 20

String 2:

2852

2879

2866

2864

2874

2863

2870

2880

2862

2866

AVG = 2868

SD = 8

String 3:

2922

2859

2882

2895

2872

2876

2892

2883

2876

2870

AVG = 2883

SD = 17

For all three strings, the average is 2874 fps with a SD of 17. I was shooting with a buddy and asked him to sling some rounds through the screens for some more data.

His rifle wears a 16" barrel, with a 5.56 chamber and was shooting Freedom Munitions .223 55 gr FMJ remanufactured rounds....not new ammunition.

2797

2769

2806

2777

2822

2926

2917

2905

2736

AVG = 2828

SD = 70

***his 10th shot was omitted from the data set. We both heard a softer 'pop' and the chrono registered 1521 fps, and the proof channel recorded 1022 fps and flagged that shot as a possible error***

Anyone have any other chrono data for Freedom Munitions .223 Rem 55 gr FMJ to share?

FYI, here's some chrono data obtained using the same rifle, but shooting Prvi Parizan 5.56 55 gr M193

3120

3169

3174

3150

3136

3142

3187

3173

3136

AVG = 3154

STD = 22

3165

3139

3173

3106

3159

3145

3181

3180

3126

3180

AVG = 3155

SD = 26

3227

3150

3142

3139

3200

3210

3200

3172

3159

3181

AVG = 3178

SD = 31

Using an SLR adjustable gas block, the 5.56 needed '8' clicks open and the .223 needed '7' clicks to lock the bolt back on an empty mag.

Because I fast-tracked this 18" build to replace a AKS-74U Krinkov SBR with 8.25" barrel which couldn't hit all the steel plates @ 200 yards before timing out (1st match at the FNH NHRPC/Topton 2-gun), for ghits and shiggles, I chronoed some 5.45 in the event I bring the Suchka out of retirement for a match. Also brought along a LWRC 5.45 upper that I forgot I had, NIB for like 3 years....

Silver Bear, 5.45 x 39, 60 gr FMJ

Krink, 8.25" @ AVG = 2356, SD = 20

LWRC, 14.5" @ AVG = 2804, SD =19

Figured AK-74/5.45x39 shooters might find the velocities useful.

Edited May 2, 2015 by flyfishdave

[TonytheTiger]

Thanks for the data! I've never chrono'd the FM 55gr reman loads but out of my 16" wylde chambered 1 in 8 twist barrel I've used the trajectory validation feature on Strelok vs. my actual drop at 400yds to calculate a 2900fps velocity. Those numbers have got me spot on dope out to 880yds, so either the velocity is really close or the B.C. is skewed in such a way that it just happens to be correct dope, which seems unlikely. I haven't actively shot 5.45 in a couple years now but I'm always interesting in seeing some actual data for it. Any chance you've ever chrono'd the Hornady 60gr V-max loads?

Edited May 2, 2015 by TonytheTiger

[flyfishdave]

is that for the 5.45 x 39?

If I get a chance to try that round (or anything else) and have the chrono setup, I'll be sure to share the data.

[TonytheTiger]

Yup, the 5.45 V-max load. It always shot great out of my AK74, it was unusually accurate (2MOA or slightly better on good days) and it made hits on IPSC paper at 500yds way easier than silver/brown bear, wolf or surplus. Always wondered how accurate the velocity listed on the box was though.

[Flatland Shooter]

***his 10th shot was omitted from the data set. We both heard a softer 'pop' and the chrono registered 1521 fps, and the proof channel recorded 1022 fps and flagged that shot as a possible error***

Is this common with their remanufactured ammo?

[flyfishdave]

I've only shot less than 100 rounds of this new stuff so can't say much, but my friend has shot over 3K of their new and remanufactured (more reman than new) .223 and this was the first round that had an issue.

The std deviation of the reman seemed a little higher than the new, but we he only ran 9 rounds over the chrono......and not sure if shooting .223 in a 5.56 chamber would add to the variance.

[openclassterror]

Minimum headspace dimensions are identical between 5.56 and .223 chambers. Max headspace is looser in a 5.56. The throat of the 5.56 chamber is longer and looser, but it shouldn't alter the velocity variance from shot-to-shot. I haven't had any "soft pops" with the freedom reman ammo, but your velocities track very closely with my experience in a 16" barrel

[cakedog02]

Thanks for sharing your chrono data. I regularly shoot freedom ammo and I've been really curious if the velocity lives up to their claims. I've shot over a couple thousand rounds of Freedom's remanufactured 9mm and I've had 3 soft pops in total. Never had any problems with their new stuff.

[cakedog02]

When I shoot new freedom 223 thru my AR (13.5" barrel) side by side with PMC gold or Prvi Parizan ammo, I have noticed the freedom drops more noticeably when pushing 200 plus yards.

[Dannybot]

I think I got about 2509 FPS in my suppressed 10.5" Wylde chamber

Seven shot string 2433-2572 SD 50.2

Edited May 13, 2015 by Dannybot