American Ammunition Company 77gr SMK HPBT

[bfoosh006]

As reported on AR15.com

Maybe this will help...

16" barrel...
"
FPS average for each Lot listed newest to oldest based on purchase date, but the lot numbers don’t proceed in perfect order (I guess they don’t line em in the warehouse exactly by lot #

).

Lot# /FPS/ SD/Month & rnds purchased

SCT3EB241 2449 18 April2025 (200)

SCT1DL091 2537 20 March 2025 (200)

SCL3EB201 2451 29.5 Feb 2025 (200)

SCL1EA302 2515 16 Dec 2024 (200)
————————————————————————————
SCL1DK141 2610 18.5 Nov 2024 (300)

SCL3DI171 2674 18.5 Sept 2024 (600)

SCL2DG231 2601 16 July 2024 (100)

 

[yosemite_sam]

When people are saying it’s “too slow” what do you mean by that? Too little energy, poor wind performance, too much drop? Attached are two dope charts for my rifle(16 inch barrel). One has velocity at 2610(fast stuff) and the other is at 2488(the average of the velocities of the four new lots posted above). I have my own thoughts about the data but want to hear what y'all think?

 

[TonyAngel]

When people are saying it’s “too slow” what do you mean by that? Too little energy, poor wind performance, too much drop? Attached are two dope charts for my rifle(16 inch barrel). One has velocity at 2610(fast stuff) and the other is at 2488(the average of the velocities of the four new lots posted above). I have my own thoughts about the data but want to hear what y'all think? View attachment 8684429View attachment 8684430

I get what you're saying. 200ish feet per second doesn't make much of a difference down range, especially with the 77s. I'd even argue that the slower velocities can be better because wind has less of an effect on the projectile.

Still, faster is generally better, as long as it isn't at the expense of accuracy. My problem with the AAC stuff is that the accuracy has varied pretty drastically from lot to lot.

For me, at the .50 per round sale price, it's still too expensive when you add on tax and shipping. As of recently, I've gone to the Winchester contract overrun stuff, loaded with the 77gr Match Burners. At .70 or less per round, shipped, it's a better deal because it is consistent. It's slow, but the consistency of accuracy doesn't leave me scratching my head.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get any more of that stuff.

 

[saddlerocker]

Reports from some people said it was 1.5-2MOA with the powder change vs 1MOA or better before.

That is the main reason I'm in no hurry to buy more right now.

I get consistent 3/4MOA in my bolt gun with the old stuff.

 

[yosemite_sam]

I get what you're saying. 200ish feet per second doesn't make much of a difference down range, especially with the 77s. I'd even argue that the slower velocities can be better because wind has less of an effect on the projectile.

Still, faster is generally better, as long as it isn't at the expense of accuracy. My problem with the AAC stuff is that the accuracy has varied pretty drastically from lot to lot.

For me, at the .50 per round sale price, it's still too expensive when you add on tax and shipping. As of recently, I've gone to the Winchester contract overrun stuff, loaded with the 77gr Match Burners. At .70 or less per round, shipped, it's a better deal because it is consistent. It's slow, but the consistency of accuracy doesn't leave me scratching my head.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get any more of that stuff.

From what I understand, the slower the projective the longer it has to be effected by the wind. In my charts the new load holds its 3 mph gun number til 400 whereas the old was 500.

 

[yosemite_sam]

Reports from some people said it was 1.5-2MOA with the powder change vs 1MOA or better before.

That is the main reason I'm in no hurry to buy more right now.

I get consistent 3/4MOA in my bolt gun with the old stuff.

1 MOA or better in a gas gun?

As it stands it’s as cheap or cheaper than xtac 55g and more accurate.

 

[fedupflyer]

1 MOA or better in a gas gun?

Yes, the stuff I bought last fall was giving me 0.6 MOA

 

[saddlerocker]

Lots of M193 55gr 5.56 around 40cpr with free shipping.
The AAC when on sale is .50cpr + shipping...

The projectile is much better for sure, but saying it's the same price is misleading.

 

[TonyAngel]

From what I understand, the slower the projective the longer it has to be effected by the wind. In my charts the new load holds its 3 mph gun number til 400 whereas the old was 500.

You are right. I have brain farts sometimes and I was thinking in terms of some rimfire ammo. Even that might have been something I heard in a dream.

I don't usually pay attention to those differences. I get what shoots good for the price right now and then I do what my ballistic calculator tells me to.

 

[yosemite_sam]

Yes, the stuff I bought last fall was giving me 0.6 MOA

How many round groups, what barrel, how many times? What was the average group size?

 

[saddlerocker]

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[fedupflyer]

How many round groups, what barrel, how many times? What was the average group size?

3 five round groups. I posted the groups back awhile.
I had a couple of more targets with similar groups but I have misplaced/lost them.
Craddock barrel.

I have a CLE and a BCM barrel I want to test that same lot but it might be a little while.
Here recently, every time I try to go to the range I get rained out.
Not to mention I don't have much of that lot left.

I was surprised that the AAC 77g was shooting as well as the FGM SMKs.

The new lot that come in around 2550 "seems" to shoot around .8 MOA but I have had a chance to really test it either.

 

[yosemite_sam]

3 five round groups. I posted the groups back awhile.
I had a couple of more targets with similar groups but I have misplaced/lost them.
Craddock barrel.

I have a CLE and a BCM barrel I want to test that same lot but it might be a little while.
Here recently, every time I try to go to the range I get rained out.
Not to mention I don't have much of that lot left.

I was surprised that the AAC 77g was shooting as well as the FGM SMKs.

The new lot that come in around 2550 "seems" to shoot around .8 MOA but I have had a chance to really test it either.

In no way am I trying to start an argument but my standard for evaluating the accuracy of a given cartridge is a 10 round group and it’s guna be a few boxes worth. I don’t think three 5 shot groups is an adequate sample size. Over the course of 100 rounds(two different lots) I’ve gotten an average of 1.5 inch-10 shot groups with an Aero SPR profile barrel. Idk if it’s going to get better than that at 60 cents a round(shipped) and a $200 barrel.

 

[Ernest 5.56]

5x5 is the way

 

[yosemite_sam]

5x5 is the way

If you’re purely trying to establish the accuracy of the cartridge maybe. But if you want to establish the accuracy of your rifle system, you need to introduce heat to the barrel and barrel extension. This is what running it in a comp or fight is going to do. The round getting pre heated inside the barrel extension is going to change the velocity. The barrel heating up is going to cause POI shift. Are we using these things for bench shooting or to fight/compete with?

 

[fedupflyer]

In no way am I trying to start an argument but my standard for evaluating the accuracy of a given cartridge is a 10 round group and it’s guna be a few boxes worth. I don’t think three 5 shot groups is an adequate sample size. Over the course of 100 rounds(two different lots) I’ve gotten an average of 1.5 inch-10 shot groups with an Aero SPR profile barrel. Idk if it’s going to get better than that at 60 cents a round(shipped) and a $200 barrel.

I agree that more groups would be more statically beneficial but that comes at co$t and time.
I find that establishing a base line for ammo performance I need a lest 20 rnds. 5 to season the barrel and then 15 more to gauge whether the ammo is accurate enough to move forward. That is assuming I don't have any malfunctions or cause any flyers.
When ammo is $1+ a rnd, I tend to be conserve it.

I used to do 10 rnd groups but I find that analyzing 5 rnd groups are easier.
I know I shot 10 rnds but I only have the holes for 7 rnds, because I shot the paper out or through the same hole. I had this problem with 308.

You could try accurizing that Aero POS. It might help or maybe not.
If you are using an Aero P upper, I can almost guarantee the fit from barrel extension to the upper is sloppy and degrading your potential accuracy.
I don't think anyone has ever use Aero P and accuracy in the same sentence.

If you’re purely trying to establish the accuracy of the cartridge maybe

And that is exactly what I am trying to do.

 

[yosemite_sam]

I agree that more groups would be more statically beneficial but that comes at co$t and time.
I find that establishing a base line for ammo performance I need a lest 20 rnds. 5 to season the barrel and then 15 more to gauge whether the ammo is accurate enough to move forward. That is assuming I don't have any malfunctions or cause any flyers.
When ammo is $1+ a rnd, I tend to be conserve it.

I used to do 10 rnd groups but I find that analyzing 5 rnd groups are easier.
I know I shot 10 rnds but I only have the holes for 7 rnds, because I shot the paper out or through the same hole. I had this problem with 308.

You could try accurizing that Aero POS. It might help or maybe not.
If you are using an Aero P upper, I can almost guarantee the fit from barrel extension to the upper is sloppy and degrading your potential accuracy.
I don't think anyone has ever use Aero P and accuracy in the same sentence.



And that is exactly what I am trying to do.

I love my POS Aero it was affordable and it’s reliable. My first 100% build from parts. Yeah dude I’m not guna lap my receiver or shim the extension. I don’t need to make an AR average better than 1.5 MOA with crap ammo. With IMI it shoots 1 MOA so idgaf about making it more accurate than that. I’ll spend my time shooting it and working my shooting positions. Everyone has their own thing they’re stoked on. Hats off to you for getting such tight groups.