Absolutely. The BC of the heavies trump the lights at 2-300ish fps less vel. every time, in all areas often beyond 200 yds., and energy/windage most of the time right out the muzzle. This all assuming the same case capacity. My 223 AI AR pushes the 53 gr. V-Max at ~3400, but it shoots the 69 TMK at ~3100. Just run the ballistics and the 53/55's can't even come close to the 69.
Buddy of mine has an 8T 26" AR (mine's a 9T...unfortunately), and he's going to the 80 ELD-M (BC .485), and for the combination of external and terminal ballistics to the longest of AR ranges he will surely take the cake...of course the bullet is so new that there's not enough info on long-range terminal ballistics to know yet, but I'm betting it'll do the 600 yd. job.
...but we're also using the old DPMS VLD magazine that allows for more efficient loading of longer bullets.
Buddy of mine has an 8T 26" AR (mine's a 9T...unfortunately), and he's going to the 80 ELD-M (BC .485), and for the combination of external and terminal ballistics to the longest of AR ranges he will surely take the cake...of course the bullet is so new that there's not enough info on long-range terminal ballistics to know yet, but I'm betting it'll do the 600 yd. job.
...but we're also using the old DPMS VLD magazine that allows for more efficient loading of longer bullets.