Three Ways to Run Your .223/5.56: Black Hills Ammo Delivers Precision, Power, and Performance

When it comes to high-volume and high-performance 5.56 and .223 ammunition, Black Hills Ammunition is a name you hear often—and for good reason. Not only do they supply ammo for U.S. Special Forces, but their commercial offerings bring that same consistency and innovation straight to civilian shooters.

In the test, we dive into three purpose-driven 5.56/.223 loads from Black Hills that demonstrate the cartridge's versatility. Whether you’re stretching it out at distance, hunting varmints, or looking for a do-it-all performer, there’s a load here built for your rifle and your mission.

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Load #1: 77-Grain Tipped MatchKing – Built for Distance

The 77-grain Tipped MatchKing is no stranger to precision shooters. With a long, aerodynamic profile and polymer tip, this load is tailored for long-range accuracy—ideal for shooters running precision ARs or SPR-style rifles.

• Best For: Long-range target shooting
• Performance: Stable trajectories, high ballistic coefficient, exceptional group consistency
• Pro Tip: Pair with a 1:8 or 1:7 twist barrel for optimal stabilization

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Load #2: 60-Grain V-MAX – Varmint Slayer

The 60-grain V-MAX from Black Hills is a varmint-hunting classic, and for good reason. It’s explosive on impact, laser-accurate at moderate ranges, and delivers devastating terminal performance on smaller game.

• Best For: Groundhogs, coyotes, prairie dogs, and other critters
• Performance: Lightweight and fast, with match-grade accuracy out of most AR-15s
• Why It Works: The polymer tip initiates rapid fragmentation, making it extremely effective on soft targets

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Load #3: 62-Grain Dual Performance Solid Copper – Hunting and Defense

The most intriguing round in the test was the 62-grain Dual Performance Solid Copper load—a newer design that merges accuracy with terminal effectiveness. This bullet expands on impact and penetrates deep while staying intact. Perfect for hunting applications and barrier penetration.

• Best For: Medium game hunting, home defense with a rifle, law enforcement/tactical use
• Design Details: Solid copper construction means no jacket separation and consistent expansion
• Range-Tested: At 100 yards, it delivered a massive permanent wound cavity in ballistic gel—and stayed on target like a guided missile.

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What We Learned on the Range

We took these three loads out to test paper accuracy, ballistic gel performance, and hunting-style target impacts at a distance of 100 yards. Here’s the quick verdict:

• The V-MAX shot the tightest groups from our test rifle, reinforcing its role as the accuracy king in varmint territory.
• The 77-grain MatchKing proved why military marksmen trust it.
• The 62-grain Dual Performance stole the show in gel—with a visible permanent wound cavity and bullet recovery showing excellent expansion and straight-line penetration.

This wasn’t a gimmick test. These rounds delivered real-world performance where it counts.

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Final Thoughts: Why Black Hills Stands Out

There’s a reason serious shooters and military units alike trust Black Hills—they deliver precision, reliability, and innovation in every load. From plinking steel to dropping varmints or game, these three rounds prove that .223 Rem / 5.56 NATO is anything but boring.

Whether you’re looking for pinpoint long-range hits, explosive terminal effect, or a rugged, do-it-all performer, Black Hills has a load dialed in for your rifle.

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