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Australian Outback 69 Grain MatchKing and 55 Grain BlitzKing Accuracy Evaluations

Molon

Gunny Sergeant
Minuteman
Feb 26, 2020
870
2,263
by request


Australian Outback 69 grain Sierra MatchKing Ammunition

australian outback 69 smk boxes 01 resized.jpg



Today, several manufacturers are producing factory loaded 223 Remington ammunition seated with the Sierra 69 grain MatchKing. Among those, is Australian Outback, a commercial division of Australian Munitions.


69 matchking bullet box 02 resized.jpg



This Australian Outback ammunition is loaded in brass cases. The primer pockets are neither crimped nor sealed. There is no sealant at the case-mouth nor any visible case-mouth crimp. The rounds are charged with a short-cut, extruded powder. The head-stamp reads:


“223 REM ADI”


adi 69 smk powder 01 resized.jpg



adi 69 smk headstamp 01.jpg



Through some simple testing, I determined that the 69 grain MatchKing has a specific gravity of approximately 10.2. According to Ballistic Performance of Rifle Bullets by Bryan Litz, the 69 grain MatchKing has an average G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.330 and an average G7 ballistic coefficient of 0.169. The same source states that the “recommended twist for optimal performance” of the 69 grain MatchKing “is 1:9.5” or faster.”






Accuracy


I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Australian Outback 69 grain Sierra MatchKing ammunition following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any group-reduction techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, Butterfly Shots).

The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Also, a control group was fired from the test-rifle used in the evaluation using match-grade, hand-loaded ammunition; in order to demonstrate the capability of the barrel. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation.

All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The barrel used in the evaluation was free-floated. The free-float handguards of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. The SMOS billet lower receiver used houses a Geissele Hi-Speed National Match trigger.

Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold Competition Series 45x45mm scope adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shield was used. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below.


benchrest krieger rifle 02.JPG




The Wind Probe.

wind_probe_2016_01_framed.jpg




The test vehicle for this accuracy evaluation was one of my semi-automatic precision AR-15s with a 24” Krieger barrel. The barrel has a 5.56mm Match chamber with a 1:7.7” twist. Prior to firing the Australian Outback 69 grain Sierra MatchKing ammunition, I fired a 10-shot control group using match-grade hand-loads topped with the Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing. That group had an extreme spread of 0.67”.


55 blitzking control for adi 69 smk 01b.jpg




Four 10-shot groups of the Australian Outback 69 grain Sierra MatchKing ammunition were fired in a row with the resulting extreme spreads:

0.95”
0.82”
0.69”
0.97

for a 10-shot group average extreme spread of 0.86”. The four 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 40-shot composite group. The mean radius for the 40-shot composite group was 0.28”.



The smallest 10-shot group . . .




australian outback 69 smk smallest 10 shot group 01.jpg



The 40-shot composite group . . .


australian outback 69 smk composite group 22.jpg





For kicks and giggles I also fired some 5-shot groups with this ammunition. The cherry-picked group of the bunch had an extreme spread of 0.384”.


adi 69 smk cherry picked 5 shot group 01b.jpg




....




Australian Outback 55 Grain Sierra BlitzKing Ammunition



australian outback box 01resized.jpg




The Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing was introduced in 1999. While it was marketed as a varmint bullet, I soon discovered that this projectile was capable of delivering outstanding precision when fired from my semi-automatic AR-15s at shorter distances.


55 blitzking vs 55 fnj 003.jpg




By the spring of 2000, I was using a handload topped with this bullet as one of my primary loads for evaluating the accuracy/precision of AR-15 barrels. These handloads have shot well in almost every AR-15 barrel that I have owned over the last two decades. When fired from my Krieger barreled AR-15s, these handloads have produced 1/2 MOA 10-shot groups at 100 yards.


55_grain_blitzkings_10_shot_group_at_100-.jpg




In addition to the 69 grain Sierra MatchKing load evaluated above, Australian Munitions, under their Australian Outback division, has produced a factory load for the commercial market using the Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing.

When chronographed from a 20” Colt M16A2 barrel over an Oehler 35-P chronograph with “Proof Screen Technology”, the Australian Outback Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing load had a muzzle velocity of 2972 FPS with a standard deviation of 20 FPS.

A 10-shot group fired off the bench at a distance of 100 yards from one of my AR-15s with a Krieger barrel that has a 223 Remington chamber and a 1:9" twist had an extreme spread of 0.98".



australian outback 55 blitzkings from 1_9 krieger 04.jpg




I also fired a 10-shot group of the Australian Outback load from one of my AR-15s with a Krieger barrel that has a 5.56mm match chamber and a 1:7.7" twist. That group had an extreme spread of 0.92".




australian outback 55 blitzking from 1_7 krieger 21 resized.jpg










.....
 
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I haven't seen this ammo for quite a while- it was dirt cheap in my area, but shot very good- especially the 55 grain. They also had a 308 load that was really good. I was buying it for $12 a box and just plinking with it. After the supply disappeared and a little research I realized that I'd been dumping a Swift Scirocco 2 bullet into the berm- and that I could barely buy that bullet for what I was paying for the ammo.
 
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Thanks for the data Molon!

Not from an AR, but it shoots great out of my bolt gun trainer.
ADI 69smk, 223wylde chamber, 26” barrel with small rear squeeze bag. Adjusted a few tenths down after the initial groups and switched boxes of ammo. The last box was doing very well.

D7B24AF8-654F-47DE-A473-1F9C1846C909.jpeg



Molon, we’re you using lot 2033 or 2042 by chance?
 
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Thanks for the testing and write-up.

I’ve got a few hundred rounds of their 300blk ammo and like it. If I ever see any of this 223/5.56 available I’ll grab it.
 
The 69gr load shot very well in my T3X and ARP barreled ar. The price was great also.
 
it is great ammo, the 55gr. BK and the 69gr. SMK shoot very nice groups in my 1/9 Colt
wish I had bought more back when it was a good deal........
 
I shot some of the 69 grain today. Really good ammo, and nice brass too.
I still have a bunch of it from 2 or 3 ammo shortage/scares ago.
 
Considering people are asking $1 pr for m193 their price for 55gr SBK is good.

 
The only thing I dislike about this ammo is you have to hang upside down to shoot it.
And in the northern hemisphere you have to use a bullet rise compensator table for your shot calculations. 64” of rise at 500. Fair Dinkum!

On a serious note Molon, that’s a fantastic write up. I even appreciate the large type for us old boomers. Well done — a public service!

By the way not having crimped in primers and varnish is a plus for folks who want to reload!

Cheers, Sirhr

PS. Isn’t this just something else from Australia that tries to kill you?
 
And in the northern hemisphere you have to use a bullet rise compensator table for your shot calculations. 64” of rise at 500. Fair Dinkum!

On a serious note Molon, that’s a fantastic write up. I even appreciate the large type for us old boomers. Well done — a public service!

By the way not having crimped in primers and varnish is a plus for folks who want to reload!

Cheers, Sirhr

PS. Isn’t this just something else from Australia that tries to kill you?
now All i can picture is a spider riding a bullet….
 
@Molon
Great Write-up.

Everyone else....
Global Ordinance has some more SMK in stock right now. They just got me for a grand.
https://globalordnance.com/adi-worl...-79571759&mc_cid=06decd2344&mc_eid=fe8fb04c85
View attachment 7659195

I look forward to your results.
The few boxes that I shot of the 69smk weren’t as consistent as the old AO ADI 69smk. Perhaps it was just those boxes or that lot. Some groups showed potential, but others had some unexplainable fliers that opened the groups up considerably.
 
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How I miss SGAmmo's $109.50 for the 69gr and $149.50 for the 168gr .308 back in 2014-2015.

Has anyone compared the older ammo to this newer ammo? Molon's review shows the older boxes compared to the newer packaging at Global Ordnance. Since the box packaging has changed, and given some of the comments, I wonder if their load recipe has changed as well.
 
The older stuff shot a bit better for me, but it could be lot variation. I had a few wild fliers.

This is the new stuff, with one group of the older shot with one of my AR’s.

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1F77A14E-E7AC-498B-9DFB-7834EAAA112A.jpeg
 
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I went out again today and tested the new stuff. There appears to be quite a bit of variation between boxes. I fired 1 group from my bolt gun with Box #1 and then went to Box #2 and then back to Box#1. The results were pretty telling.

I also tried them in a Rainier Rock Creek barrel. The older lot didn’t beat the newer lot significantly, but the older stuff seemed to have less variation (3-4 very tight).
757E647A-A679-4CBB-A030-E7BDE8F6F920.jpeg
 
A little cheaper at Firearms Depot. $15.46 per box. I spot checked 200 rounds and 400 rounds versus Global Ordnance. It was $20/$35 cheaper after tax/shipping.

https://firearmsdepot.com/adi-world-class-223-rem-69-grain-sierra-matchking-20-round-box/
I wish I found this deal but I didn't. I'll take Global any day for a lil more based off my past experience with them. They have fast shipping and great customer service and usually some of the lower prices. I've never dealt with the Firearm Depot, would you recommend them for future business?
Well, I have ordered some 308 ammo and will check out old vs new. Will report my results after it arrives and I have a chance to hit the range.
I look forward to your feedback. Did you get the MatchKings or Tipped MatchKings? Where did you get yours? Global as well? I was watching the price all week to see if it went any lower.

Where does the Hide Collective recommend fellow members to buy .308/7.62, 5.56/.223 and 9mm ammo?
 
Bone Frog Gun Club typically carries some GTG SD ammo. I have gotten some precision ammo from them before this Monkey Shines that is going on. Also very reasonable priced.

They had the Fed. 6.5CM Tactical TRU, 140gr Tactical Tip Matchking for an outstanding price for a long time. ( Pre- Biden )

And SGAmmo.com has been a goto ammo supplier for a long time . I have NEVER had a single issue with them over many many years.
 
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I ordered the newer 308 ammo from Global. I am looking to order the newer 69 gr ADI from Firearms Depot.

I have quite a bit of the older 308 and 69/223 ADI from way back when SGAmmo had it for real cheap. But I live in CA, so need to find places that ship to 03FFL/COE holders directly rather than pay the fees to purchase/ship via FFLs here.
 
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I bought a case or two, would have to check back on actual amount. Bought when it was buy one get one free making it about the cost of the bullet at around .30 each. Would have bought more but was stupid and like 77’s better. These 69’s shot sub moa for me out of several rifles. Good ammo.

I was shocked at the pharmaceutical grade packing, just kidding but damn they wrapped it nice. I did buy 200 of the 308 and it shot well too.

Thanks for the write up Molon

PB
 
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Back in the BOGO GO times, I think my best purchase was 54 cpr. This was 69.5 cpr, which is pretty good for the times.

I also like the 55gr version, but this seems about .1-.2 moa better in my super scientifical tests.
 
Ran some more of this stuff through my 18" Noveske AR the other day. 7 groups so far are averaging 0.971" at 100 yards. Not bad, but I paid way more for this stuff than others have mentioned.

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Ran some more of this stuff through my 18" Noveske AR the other day. 7 groups so far are averaging 0.971" at 100 yards. Not bad, but I paid way more for this stuff than others have mentioned.

View attachment 7675985

View attachment 7675986

That’s a good lot# to have. Maybe that barrel just doesn’t like it, but I’ve shot numerous sub 0.4moa groups with that lot. I think my 5x5 with it was 0.44moa. It has rivaled handloads in my Rainier Arms rock creek barrel.
 
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That’s a good lot# to have. Maybe that barrel just doesn’t like it, but I’ve shot numerous sub 0.4moa groups with that lot. I think my 5x5 with it was 0.44moa. It has rivaled handloads in my Rainier Arms rock creek barrel.
Yes, absolutely true. My Noveske prefers 77gr SMK more.


Same rifle, but with Norma Match .223 77gr.

Norma 7-25-21.png


20210725_231404.jpg
 
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The 69gr adi has been very good for me. Bogo I believe I got it for .48 cpr shipped.

rfUGBXr.jpg

This set up with a wiebad range cube.

Z88dudc.jpg


Three .6 moa groups and a 4th that opened up to .99. 4th group was me. If I do my part I will see consistent .6 moa groups. Some dipping into .5 and some .7. I've had some cherry picked 3-5 shot under .5 moa but I don't consider it consistent.

For ammo that I got for less than .50 cpr I've been extremely impressed. The 55 blitzking has not grouped as well for me in this gun. I'm seeing around 1 moa with them. I'll test them again at some point.
 
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