Best Bulk 223 Powder and Bullet?

[Olympus]

I want to start gather components for bulk 223 ammo for my ARs. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good powder for high volume 223 ammo? Needs to be able to meter through the Dillon powder dispenser. Also interested in what people are using as far as bullets for bulk range ammo.

 

[horseman1]

I like Midway's Dog town bullets. Nice to get them on sale. Powder, H335 and BLC2 meter well for me. There are others that work and meter well too.

H1

 

[edfardos]

Xtreme bullets and h335.

 

[capreppy]

Most of the ranges (assuming you're going to a range) here don't allow FMJ rifle ammo so I'm limited to HP, SP or BT. For bulk plinking ammo, I prefer MidSouth Varmint Nightmares

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/Vendor/00004/MIDSOUTH/Dept/reloading/rifle-bullets/-point-224-dia/55-gr

 

[Olympus]

The ranges I go to do not have restrictions.

I used a cost calculator and based on component prices, I was only able to come up with a 2 cent saving per round compared to the steel case stuff. I don't know if that's even worth messing with. Especially considering the $28 hazmat fee on shipped powders and primers.

 

[capreppy]

The ranges I go to do not have restrictions.

I used a cost calculator and based on component prices, I was only able to come up with a 2 cent saving per round compared to the steel case stuff. I don't know if that's even worth messing with. Especially considering the $28 hazmat fee on shipped powders and primers.

If you have no restrictions, then yes the steel cased ammo is hard to beat for plinking ammo

edit: the only place I can shoot within 2 hours of me that allows FMJ rifle ammo is private land. I wish there wasn't restrictions, but I don't write the rules

 

[jwrowland77]

Best way to order from online is to order in bulk. Minimum 10#'s of powder, several thousand primers, and some bulk bullets. That way hazmat is spread out enough.

You may only save a few cents, but it'll be so much more accurate.

 

[X-Rap]

H335 and Hornady 55gr SP bullets. The latter can be picked up pretty cheap if you watch for sales and buy in bulk.

 

[Olympus]

Best way to order from online is to order in bulk. Minimum 10#'s of powder, several thousand primers, and some bulk bullets. That way hazmat is spread out enough.

You may only save a few cents, but it'll be so much more accurate.

Not looking for precision accuracy with my bulk range ammo. I have precision 223 reloads seperate and in smaller quantities for a CZ and Rem 700 VLS bolt rifles. The bulk 223 is for ARs.

 

[maxxhavoc]

RMR has 1,000 FMJ .223 for $82, and that is before the THR discount. Good for plinking, but the 52gr Dogtowns are much more accurate, and still reasonably priced.

Add $29 for 1k primers, and 1/2 of a $180 8 lb Jug of Varget, Benchmark, etc. Both of these meter fine through a Lee measure, I don't own a Dillon.

Comes in right around $0.20 per bang, not including shipping. As far as shipping is concerned, group orders, or just buying a lot yourself (or buying local) is the only way to help there.

Still, it is one of the worst calibers to reload as far as savings go. It is also more effort since you have to assume just about every primer pocket needs fixing.

That's why my 9mm AR gets 5 times as much range time as the 5.56. No lubing, trimming, swaging, and the price is around $0.12 per round. And I can use the progressive press for the whole loading process.

 

[X-Rap]

I think he's saying that buying in larger "lots" you get more consistency rather than buying 1#powder or 100 primers or bullets randomly.

 

[jwrowland77]

I think he's saying that buying in larger "lots" you get more consistency rather than buying 1#powder or 100 primers or bullets randomly.

That and cheaper cost per round as well. I generally only order in 8# kegs (2-3) anymore. Jair makes it cheaper. If I want to test a powder, I'll buy a pound locally, then if I like it, I'll find a cheaper online and order in 8# kegs and a couple thousand primers.

With my plinkers, I'm the same, don't go for precision, just practice. Same lot components though and like charges will net you some more accurate reloads though. A good side effect. Lol

 

[jmorris]

I get the Hornady 6000 count boxes of the 55gn FMJ and use Ramshot TAC.

 

[bocefus78]

I also shoot the midsouth varmint nightmare extreme pills (55gr hp). Added bonus, they are good for varmints also, not just paper.
I tested them over h322 and h335.
The 322 outshot the 335 by a small margin in group size and meters accurately enough (+/- .1 gr) for range fodder.
My $460 dollar budget built PSA AR shoots them at about 1.5MOA. Maybe a little better if I had a better rest.

 

[Lj1941]

Aa 2230

AA 2230 and whatever 55 grain FMJs are available. FMJs are not good for extreme accuracy. I got 8lbs of 2230 before the panic and it works fine for me.

 

[BigBore45]

If you clean your gun after every range trip and dont mind moderate to poor accuracy then no reason to load the .223 for the range plinking AR. just buy the cheap stuff. i reload even for my ar-15's but i like accuracy i dont have an ar that shoots over 3/4" groups at 100 yds. if i had a ar that shot 1.5" with reloads that would be the one that got the steel case stuff for plinking around.

 

[Frankl03]

I have used both H335 and W748. Found out that the W748 is temp sensitive.

I would look at getting bullets from Extreme bullets. I have used lots of 55 gr Fmjs in the past. Even loaded match ammo with 69 gr SMKs.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If you clean your gun after every range trip and dont mind moderate to poor accuracy then no reason to load the .223 for the range plinking AR. just buy the cheap stuff. i reload even for my ar-15's but i like accuracy i dont have an ar that shoots over 3/4" groups at 100 yds. if i had a ar that shot 1.5" with reloads that would be the one that got the steel case stuff for plinking around.

I think it'd be a rifle I'd consider putting a new barrel on.