Spun from a single bead of solid copper or brass, and machined to near CNC precision, the 5.56mm cartridge from Fort Scott Ammunition is among many on the market that offers penetration and stopping force. But with its unique Tumble Upon Impact™ (TUI) design, the 5.55mm NATO or .223mm projectile ensures maximum cavitation once it strikes a soft target. This unique feature is available in 55gr. and 62gr. projectiles in both metals, and is ideal for hunting, professional, or self-defense applications.
Made to meet SAAMI specifications, the .223mm/5.56mm TUI cartridge has the following characteristics:
- Caliber: ……………….223mm/5.56mm
- COAL:……………….….2.256” (for 55gr) or 2.224” (for 62gr)
- OAL:………………….…0.867” (for 55gr) or 0.949” (for 62gr)
- Projectile Weight:…55gr or 62gr
- Projectile Type:…….Solid Copper Spun (SCS) or Solid Brass Spun (SBS)
- Powder Type:……….Flattened Ball
- Charge Weight:……..2.73gr (for 55gr) or 2.63gr (for 62gr)
- Primer Pocket:….….Boxer Pocket w/Crimp Primer
- Crimp…………………..Light
A process of three ladder tests were completed using a Millennium 2 Chronograph from Competitive Edge Dynamics for each caliber with the first being for record and the remaining two for confirmation. The averaged results were as follows:
Performance Test #1: 10.5” AR Pistol
- Caliber:………………..5.56 NATO / SBS / TUI
- Projectile Weight:…62 grain
- Rounds Fired:……….8
- Velocity:………………..2578 fps.
- Velocity:………………..2537 fps.
- Velocity:………………..2558 fps.
Performance Test #2: 16” AR-15
- Caliber:………………..5.56 NATO / SCS / TUI
- Projectile Weight:…62 grain
- Rounds Fired:……….8
- Velocity:………………..2864 fps
- Velocity:………………..2819 fps
- Velocity:………………..2837 fps
Performance Test #3: 16” AR-15
- Caliber:……………..…5.56 NATO / SCS / TUI
- Projectile Weight:…55 grain
- Rounds Fired:……….8
- Velocity:………………..3101 fps
- Velocity:………………..3025 fps
- Velocity:…………….….3065 fps
Post-Mortem Observations:
None of the rifle cartridges nor primers fired showed any evidence of overpressure with either budged cases, strained case necks, nor flattened primers. During life-fire stressor drills the ammunition performed consistently and did not fail to fire.
.223 Remington SCS Product Link: https://fortscottmunitions.com/collections/rifle-ammunition/products/223-rem-scs-brush-hog-rifle-ammo
5.56 NATO SCS Product Link: https://fortscottmunitions.com/collections/rifle-ammunition/products/5-56-nato-scs-brush-hog-62grain-rifle-ammo
5.56 NATO SBS Product Link: https://fortscottmunitions.com/collections/rifle-ammunition/products/5-56-nato-sbs-brass-hog-rifle-ammo
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): The price for Fort Scott rifle ammunition varies based on caliber, projectile type, and box count. For the purpose of this review, a box of 20 cartridges for 5.56 NATO ranged in price from $23.67 (for 55gr.) to $24.14 (for 62gr.). In comparison, some of the market “gold standards” in ammo include a 20 round box of 55gr. range ammo from PMC Bronze ($8.89), a specialized brand like Hornady Critical Defense FTX ($22.89), or a performance hunting round like Nosler’s Varmageddon ($28.10). As such the cost for Fort Scott’s 5.56 NATO caliber is well within the average range for performance ammunition and the overall market.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect the Fort Scott ammunition proved to be neither excessively smoky or projected an excessive amount of carbon. Despite firing approximately 200 rounds no carbon fouling was noted and the rifles continued to perform without error. It should be noted that the 55gr. NATO ammunition did give a notable harder recoil than the 62gr. and that is likely due to the lighter projectile and higher velocities.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): All ammunition arrived from Fort Scott appearing to have already undergone annealing from the manufacturer—a process that extends case life and ensures consistent diameters. After firing no brass exhibited signs of overpressure or case failures with no visible cracks in case-necks, case bulging, or flattened/popped primers.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the option of a solid copper/brass projectile is done so to provide maximum penetration. Unlike traditional BTHP hunting projectiles that “flower” outward and transfer that velocity into the cavity, the conical SBS/SCS projectile will retain its shape until it encounters a denser material (such as steel). There was some thought during evaluations to utilize watermelons to simulate the approximate water/tissue ratio that could be encountered, but once measured on a chrono, it was realized the projectile was simply moving too fast for a melon to offer much notable effect that could speak to Fort Scott’s TUI effect. The design to Fort Scott’s projectile is what gives the TUI ammunition its unique “tumble” effect after encountering tissue. In essence the projectile retains stability/accuracy in flight, but once it enters a soft target becomes unbalanced and falls end-over-end and will transfer much of that kinetic energy into the cavity. In addition, with the 55gr. ammunition consistently moving over 3k fps, it also would have the ability to defeat ¾” AR500 steel or Level III body armor at the standard distance by which NIJ evaluates protective body armor. It should be noted that at longer distances than the evaluated 25 yards, velocities will drop off significantly but the SBS/SCS projectiles will still retain their penetration ability on thin-skinned targets such as wild pigs, deer, and bear.
- Weight – Average (3/5): In terms of ballistic weights, the 55gr. projectiles offered better performance in barrels utilizing a 1:10 or 1:12 inch twist ratio and can be somewhat destabilizing in barrels outside of those ranges. In comparison, the heavier 62gr. projectiles performed better in barrels using a 1:9 or 1:10 inch twist ration simply because the heavier projectile will need less spin to maintain stability as it travels downrange. The 55gr. ammunition is perhaps one of the more common training ammo weights on the market simply because it is traditionally the more inexpensive. Having the option to pick the correct balance of projectile for your individual barrel gives Fort Scott’s ammunition an appropriate (or average) weight within the current market of performance ammunition.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://fortscottmunitions.com
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