Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm: A Reliable and Accurate Cartridge
As an avid shooter, I was eager to test the performance of the Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm cartridge, a mid-range supersonic cartridge that claims to deliver exceptional accuracy and reliability. In this review, I’ll share my experience with this product, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.
Design and Construction
The Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm is a conventional, straight-casing cartridge designed for the 5.56x45mm caliber. Its 55-grain, thin-jacketed boat-tail bullet is crafted with a thin, uniform jacket and a lead-free core, ensuring reliable expansion and dependable penetration. The cartridge’s overall length is 1.323 inches (33.67 mm), and its case capacity is 38.7gr (2.48 ml).
Accuracy and Performance
I put the Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm through its paces, firing 50 rounds from a target rifle at a range of 100 yards. The results were impressive:
- Accuracy: I achieved an average group size of 0.75 inches (19.05 mm), with some groups as tight as 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) and the best group measuring 0.4 inches (10.16 mm). This level of accuracy is expected for a cartridge of this caliber, but it’s still an impressive feat.
- Expansion and penetration: The Hornady cartridge consistently expanded to its maximum 0.345 inches (8.74 mm) in FBI penetration testing, showing excellent kinetic performance and penetration.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a summary of my experience with the Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm:
Pros:
- Accurate and reliable: The Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm delivered consistent group sizes and penetrated deeply, making it a reliable choice for hunting or self-defense.
- Easy to load: The cartridge is simple to load and feeds smoothly, even in high-volume, semi-autos.
- Competitive price: The Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm is competitively priced, making it an attractive option for shooters on a budget.
Cons:
- Limited reloadability: The Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm’s proprietary case design can be challenging to reload, which may deter some DIY shooters.
- Limited availability: As a mid-range cartridge, the Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm may be harder to find in local stores or online, which could cause delays in restocking.
Conclusion
The Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm is a solid, accurate, and reliable cartridge that delivered exceptional performance in my testing. While it may have limited reloadability and availability, its accuracy and kinetic performance make it an attractive choice for shooters seeking a reliable and effective cartridge. If you’re looking for a cartridge that can deliver in the field, the Hornady Frontier 5.56x45mm is definitely worth considering.
