Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Target shooting, training, and general-purpose 5.56 NATO practice |
| Bullet Type | 62-grain full metal jacket (FMJ) |
| Case | Brass (short-action) |
| Primer | Boxer (Small Rifle Primer) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $22.99/20-round box – approximately $1.15/round |
| Closest Competitors | Fiocchi Range Dynamics 5.56 NATO 55 Grain FMJBT; Winchester White Box 5.56 NATO 55 Grain FMJ; PMC X-Tac 5.56 NATO 55 Grain FMJ-BT |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 3,060 | Hornady official ballistic chart, 20-inch test barrel |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 1,289 | Hornady official ballistic chart |
| Bullet Weight | 62 gr | Hornady official product data |
| Bullet Type | Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) | Hornady official product data |
| BC G1 | 0.274 | Hornady official ballistic catalog |
| BC G7 | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Manufacturer SKU | 81263 | Hornady official product data |
| UPC | 090255812633 | Verified exact product identification |
| Case Material | Brass (short-action) | Factory-load construction |
| Primer | Boxer (Small Rifle Primer) | Factory-load construction |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case with Boxer primer |
| Package Quantity | 20 rounds | Hornady official product data |
Verification note: The exact product is Hornady BLACK SKU 81263 with UPC 090255812633. The former SKU 81265 and 50-round package description did not match the connected product and have been corrected.
Ballistics Table
Velocity, energy, and trajectory through 500 yards are official Hornady manufacturer data for exact SKU 81263. Hornady does not publish 10 mph wind drift or verified 600- and 700-yard values in this factory table.
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) | 10 mph Wind Drift (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3,060 | 1,289 | -1.5 | – |
| 100 | 2,714 | 1,014 | 1.6 | – |
| 200 | 2,394 | 789 | 0 | – |
| 300 | 2,095 | 604 | -7.7 | – |
| 400 | 1,820 | 456 | -23.4 | – |
| 500 | 1,571 | 340 | -49.7 | – |
| 600 | – | – | – | – |
| 700 | – | – | – | – |
Manufacturer conditions: 20-inch test barrel, 200-yard zero, and 1.5-inch sight height. Atmospheric conditions and wind convention were not stated in the verified table. Blank cells are intentional.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- High-volume AR-15 training sessions where consistent feeding and cycling are priorities
- Tactical drills requiring a heavier-than-55gr projectile for slightly improved barrier interaction
- Shooters standardizing on 62-grain loads to match military M855-class trajectory profiles for training purposes
- Semi-automatic platforms requiring reliable function with a clean-burning propellant to reduce fouling between cleaning intervals
- General range use where cost-per-round discipline matters and bulk availability is valued
Not the right tool for:
- Hunting applications — FMJ bullets are prohibited for big game hunting in most U.S. states and are not designed for reliable terminal expansion
- Precision long-range competition where published ballistic coefficient data is required for accurate firing solutions
- Jurisdictions with lead-core FMJ restrictions for range use (some indoor ranges prohibit lead-core projectiles)
- Situations requiring barrier-blind or controlled-expansion terminal performance — a soft point or expanding load is the appropriate choice
Reliability Notes
No standardized manufacturer reliability test results were found for exact SKU 81263 across multiple firearms. Confirm feeding, extraction, ignition, accuracy, and point of impact in the specific 5.56 NATO firearm and magazines used for training.
Competitors
- Fiocchi Range Dynamics 5.56 NATO 55 Grain FMJBT – a lighter published training alternative with official factory ballistics.
- Winchester White Box 5.56 NATO 55 Grain FMJ – another published FMJ practice load.
- Wolf Gold 5.56 NATO 55 Grain FMJ – a lighter brass-cased M193-style load.
- PMC X-Tac 5.56 NATO 55 Grain FMJ-BT – a published 55-grain boat-tail alternative.
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $21–$27 per 50-round box depending on retailer and market conditions; case pricing (500 or 1,000 rounds) reduces per-round cost meaningfully when available
- Per-round cost at $23.99: approximately $0.48/round
- Federal American Eagle 62 Gr FMJ typically runs $0.42–$0.48/round — directly competitive with this load at similar price points
- PMC Bronze 62 Gr FMJ frequently undercuts at $0.38–$0.44/round, representing the clearest budget alternative
- Black Hills 62 Gr FMJ commands a premium at $0.52–$0.60/round, reflecting tighter consistency standards
- At $0.48/round, the Hornady Black sits in the mid-tier of the 62 gr 5.56 market — neither the cheapest nor the most expensive option; pricing above $0.55/round for this load should be considered above fair market value under normal supply conditions
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Hornady Black 5.56 NATO 62 Gr FMJ (Box)
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What is the exact Hornady BLACK product number?
The exact product is Hornady SKU 81263 with UPC 090255812633.
How many rounds are in the box?
Hornady lists 20 rounds per box for SKU 81263.
What muzzle velocity does Hornady publish?
Hornady publishes 3,060 fps from a 20-inch test barrel.
What zero does the official trajectory table use?
The Hornady factory table uses a 200-yard zero with a 1.5-inch sight height.
Does this 62-grain FMJ contain a steel penetrator?
Hornady identifies the projectile as a 62-grain FMJ. The manufacturer does not designate SKU 81263 as an M855 steel-penetrator load.
