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Posted: 5/27/2010 7:19:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Molon][Edited]
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Catalog of Hornady 75 Grain Loads
Here is a little “visual catalog” of the 5 different loads that Hornady produces using a 75 grain bullet. I thought it might help clear up some of the confusion pertaining to the various loads offered by Hornady. 
75 grain BTHP MATCH: catalog #8026 223 Remington 
This load uses the 75 grain BTHP “T1” bullet without a cannelure. (The is the same bullet that is available as a reloading component.) The case neck does have a very slight taper crimp. The powder used is a short cut extruded type. The lots of this load that I have chronographed have had velocities similar to or slightly higher than the velocities of the 75 grain TAP FPD load (depending on the barrel.) 75 grain BTHP TAP Precision: catalog #80265 223 Remington The original version of this load was referred to as "TAP Precision" while the more recent version has dropped the "Precision" nomenclature. Both versions come in a red box, but the newer version uses the same style of label on the box that the 5.56 TAP ammunition uses, adding to the confusion. This load is also commonly referred to as TAP LE. original current 
This load is the forerunner to the TAP FPD load. This load uses the T1 bullet with a cannelure and has a firm taper crimp on the case neck. This load also uses extruded powder and has a velocity similar to 75 grain TAP FPD. The primers are not crimped and the cases are plain brass. original 
current 
75 grain TAP FPD (For Personal Defense): catalog #80268 223 Remington 
I think this is the load that started a lot of the confusion about the various 75 grain loads offered by Hornday. First off, the ammo comes in a black box. The box is still labeled as “TAP”, but it also has the “For Personal Defense” title on it. Besides the black box, this round also has the “black nickel” coated cases giving the round its distinctive appearance. Other than the black box and black case the round is basically the same as the 75 grain BTHP TAP Precision load. It uses the T1 bullet with a cannelure and crimped case neck as well as the extruded powder. It does not have crimped primers. The muzzle velocity of this load runs around 2640 fps from a 20” chrome lined, NATO chambered Colt barrel. TAP 5.56 X 45 75 grain BTHP/WC T2: catalog #8126N 
This is the NATO pressure load. It comes in a red TAP box, but the side panel is clearly labeled 5.56 X 45. The panel has a disclaimer that reads “NOT FOR USE IN 223 CHAMBERS.” I think this load is confused with the 75 grain BTHP TAP Precision load because they both come packaged in the red TAP box. One of the biggest features of this round besides being loaded to NATO pressures is the new T2 bullet. The ogive of the T2 bullet is shorter than the T1 bullet and the T2 bullet has a longer bearing surface than the T1 bullet. The T2 bullets also have incredibly uniform meplats giving the loaded round a more uniform overall length. It is reported that the shape of the bullet was designed so as to improve feeding in the M4 platform. 
 
The T2 bullet has a cannelure and the case neck has a firm taper crimp. The primers for this load are crimped in place and the primer itself is reported to be a “mil-spec” primer. The more recent lots of this load have sealed primers. Contrary to advertisements, none of the lots of this load that I have seen have a sealed case mouth. This load uses ball powder and has a muzzle velocity of around 2820 fps from a 20” chrome lined, NATO chambered barrel. 
I’d like to dispel the rumor that the TAP 5.56 X 45 load uses a large rifle primer. This is completely false and can be proved with the application of a tiny bit of science. The nominal diameter for small rifle primers is 0.175 inches.* De-priming a fired TAP 5.56 X 45 case and measuring the spent primer with digital calipers shows the primer has a diameter of 0.174”. 
75 grain Practice: catalog #9760 223 Remington 
This load comes in a white, 50 round box. The distinctive feature about this round is the Berdan primed steel case that it uses. This load uses the T1 bullet with a cannelure and taper crimp. The load is charged with ball powder and has velocities similar to the 75 grain TAP FPD load. 
*The ABC’s of Reloading, page 45. Hornady 75 grain TAP FPD 2009 
Since its introduction, Hornady TAP FPD ammunition has been loaded in black-nickel coated cases. According to Hornady these “revolutionary” cases “eliminate the potential for corrosion and improve feeding in all firearms.” Now in 2009, TAP FPD ammunition is being loaded in “revolutionary” silver-nickel coated cases and according to Hornady these cases “eliminate the potential for corrosion and improve feeding in all firearms.” Hornady also states that these newest cases “are easier to see in low-light conditions and when checking for loaded chambers.” Accuracy Comparison 
Velocity Comparison 
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Originally Posted By 357sig:
Absolutely outstanding write up. Do you have any information regarding differences in terminal performance between the T1 and T2 bullet? An awesome post that broke down the information for me. Great job of putting the information in "my" terms........ 
I too was wondering about the terminal performance of the two. If you don't have the info handy could you kindly point me in the right direction? Again, thanks for all of you help. |
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Excellent review. The only thing I can say that wasn't perfect about it was that you didn't cite which edition of "The ABCs of Reloading" you reference. (I really like Dean Grinnell's 4th edition, myself).
It looks like the difference between the T1C and T2 bullets is very subtle-the ogive seems different, but I wouldn't know how to quantify the difference. The tip of the T2 is visibly more uniform than that of the T1 or T1C in your picture. Again, great work! |
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I know Molon will correct me if i'm wrong, but i think i remember reading that the T2 was designed for performance in soft targets while the T1 is a match paper-puncher that still performs well in a defensive situation.
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Originally Posted By GHPorter:
It looks like the difference between the T1C and T2 bullets is very subtle-the ogive seems different, but I wouldn't know how to quantify the difference. The tip of the T2 is visibly more uniform than that of the T1 or T1C in your picture. Originally Posted By quantim2:
I know Molon will correct me if i'm wrong, but i think i remember reading that the T2 was designed for performance in soft targets while the T1 is a match paper-puncher that still performs well in a defensive situation. T1 has a secant ogive and T2 has a tangent ogive. I can never keep straight which is which, but you can see the difference in this drawing: 
The T2 ogive design was for improved feeding in rifles with M4 feedramps, I believe. I don't think it had anything to do with terminal performance. |
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Originally Posted By TehLlama42:
Might as well create an autosticky function for anything Molon posts that's over 5 lines. I'll pretty much read any post Molon creates if I come across it. I don't search for them....that would be weird  .
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Originally Posted By Eric802:
Originally Posted By GHPorter:
It looks like the difference between the T1C and T2 bullets is very subtle-the ogive seems different, but I wouldn't know how to quantify the difference. The tip of the T2 is visibly more uniform than that of the T1 or T1C in your picture. Originally Posted By quantim2:
I know Molon will correct me if i'm wrong, but i think i remember reading that the T2 was designed for performance in soft targets while the T1 is a match paper-puncher that still performs well in a defensive situation. T1 has a secant ogive and T2 has a tangent ogive. I can never keep straight which is which, but you can see the difference in this drawing: http://www.riflebarrels.com/images/figure4.gif The T2 ogive design was for improved feeding in rifles with M4 feedramps, I believe. I don't think it had anything to do with terminal performance. The highlighted section is correct, however I believe the T2 is still a seacant ogive. Some time ago, I asked Dave Emary (Chief Ballistician for Hornady) about the redesigned ogive on the T2 bullet. Here was his reply: “We made the ogive radius shorter, makes the ogive a little fatter, on the TAP load because testing showed it fed better in the M16/AR. The sharper pointed match bullet would occasionally hang up between the feed ramp cuts in the barrel sleeve on some guns.” Below the T2 is pictured on the left, next to a Sierra MatchKing (which has a tangent ogive.) 
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All that is necessary for Trolls to flourish, is for good men to do nothing.
In God We Trust. Everyone else needs to post data.
In God We Trust. Everyone else needs to post data.
Awesome thread as usual pal This thread was sure needed...I have been loving this stuff for maybe 3-4 yrs.(TAP 75gr. loads) and its still such a confusing task to decipher between them for me given how screwed up Hornady had to make the marketing or labeling of these loads.
I just got back from buying 5 boxes 75gr. BTHP match and this is a rarity given I went to the place I normally get the T-2 TAP from, sadly they were sold out so I figured what the hell and lets give the match another honest go.....the only other time I put 100 or so on paper I was kinda dissappointed in respect to groups I get from the TAP t-2 and the bh 68gr.hp. through a SS SPR 18". |
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| It would be for a private homeowner, not a LE duty application, and Hornady has the same legal considerations that infest our country with absurd warnings on all sorts of products. Do they supply a "why" with that statement? I see same bullet, same velocities.............if it's reliable in my platform, and the terminal effect is the same, ? |
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