223/556

For plinking, I'd use 55gr flat base FMJ over H4895 or IMR3031 to start. YMMV

For plinking, you cannot go wrong with 55 grain fmj. A bit of a cost saving over hunting bullets and more than adequate for plinking.

For generic blasting ammo, whatever 55grn FMJ bullet is on sale in bulk, although I've moved to bulk 62grn BTHP's, they are a bit more, but I can shoot them in my H-Bar with good results.

Powder... There's a zillion of them. My favorite is H335, but there are probably about 10-12 standard powders for 5.56mm... TAC, BL-C(2), CFE-223, some of the IMR's, Benchmark, W748...

TAC for me but get a loading manual see what powders are listed then see what you can find , powder can be a bit scarce right now

Whatever bullet is cheap over Varget. I love Varget, use it for just about anything I can. It is very good for most everything I have, and more than good enough for everything else.

55 FMJ Hornady; when it goes on sale at Midway, buy in bulk. Powder; As mentioned there are so many that are good in .223, it's almost harder to find one that isn't. As above Varget is an excellent powder for .223, though IMO wasted for plinking ammo. I prefer BL-C(2) for my plinking and hunting loads, but have tried and got good results from Varget (Better with 60 and 62 gr. for me), IMR's 4064 and 3031, and Power Pro Varmint.

I like the 62gr sp better for accuracy but I still have a couple of thousand 55gr sp that I load.

What barrel twist rate and chamber do you have? This makes a differences on what will shoot more accurately if you want something better than a 10 plate.

Probably the most popular plinking load would be Hornady 55 gr FMJ's with Hodgdon H335 powder. Use Hodgdon data. Hornady's 55 gr Spire Point is also a great plinking bullet. Buy in bulk quantities. Worth the pennies extra for Hornady's. Shoots well in 1/9, 1/8, and even 1/7 twist barrels plus good for 1/12 bolt action rifles.

74shooter said:

Just got my first AR looking to reload, what type of bullets are y’all using for plinking(boat tail/flat base) powder suggestions? Thanks

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9 twist? 8? 7? Where i shoot, bc matters so I run the longest most accurate bullets I can shoot precisely. Then the accuracy is down to me, in my 9 twist, with this shortage I'm coming back to 65 btsp or 62 fbbt. Also purpose matters, hd/sd vs range time vs Dogtown vs deer size game vs hide season.
I've found winners with my 9 twist using Barnes, Hornady, Speer, Sierra, nosler, ball, m855, h322, benchmark, cfe223, .223 brass, 5.56 brass, and ALL of them are brag worthy but designated per job and worth discussing depending on your expectations.

I've used 55 grain FMJ's from Hornady and RMR. I've used them with TAC, H335, and IMR4320.

I've used Accurate 2230, W748, Varget, H4895, and CFE223 with good success in 223 Remington and 55-65 grain bullets.

Fine grain or ball powders like W748 or Accurate 2230 meter easier than the stick powders. For plinking rounds, easier reloading is a plus.

I'm sure other powders listed will work well as well, they just are not in my inventory.

I love the bulk 55gr SP from Hornady. You can find them for pretty cheap. Ive found them as cheap at $0.08 a bullet. I use H322 and they have been great.

FWIW the Armscor 55 grain FMJ has been the most accurate of the bulk bullets of that size. The cost is about the same as the others and getting a more accurate bullet as well is always a bonus. These days you may have to get whatever is in stock but when things calm down there will be more choices.

Also another vote for Tac. 3031 is my next choice.

rg1 said:

Probably the most popular plinking load would be Hornady 55 gr FMJ's with Hodgdon H335 powder. Use Hodgdon data. Hornady's 55 gr Spire Point is also a great plinking bullet. Buy in bulk quantities. Worth the pennies extra for Hornady's. Shoots well in 1/9, 1/8, and even 1/7 twist barrels plus good for 1/12 bolt action rifles.

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+1, I use middle of the road Hodgdon data. Works nice for plinking loads.

I agree:

ZGunner said:

I love Varget, use it for just about anything I can. It is very good for most everything I have, and more than good enough for everything else.

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...but I didn't include it in my previous post because of this:

entropy said:

Varget is an excellent powder for .223, though IMO wasted for plinking ammo.

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55gr SP Hornady for me, bought in bulk, over Benchmark, if you can find it.

I like CFE223 because it's cheap in my area and gives great accuracy.
I run 52 and 55 grain primarily. Buy what's cheap and shoot it as much as you can.

I like Ramshot TAC for .223/5.56 shoots well for me and meters well thru a measure.

There are lots of .223 powders I haven't tried but between TAC, BLC(2), H335 and 8208 I prefer TAC.

For powders, I'd say IMR's 3031 or 4895, either one.

Bullets... start at 55gr FMJ/FMJ-BT/SP up to 75gr FMJ-BT. The way components are right now, you just gotta look through and see what MidwayUSA has available.

Much as I like Hornady, I got to looking at Sierra's 63gr flat-based semi-pointed SP. Good customer reviews, including one who got good results in a Mini-14. Anybody have experience with this one?

Can’t say anything that wasn’t already covered. Aim high my friend. Lots of excellent advice here. AA2230 is my go to. 55 and 62 grainers with LC brass.

74shooter said:

Just got my first AR looking to reload, what type of bullets are y’all using for plinking(boat tail/flat base) powder suggestions? Thanks

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My bullet suggestions would really depend on your barrel twist rate? One of my AR rifles is a Colt Target Sporter with a 1:7 Twist and I never had the best of luck with the 55 grain bullets. As to powders there are plenty to choose from. Once you know your twist rate and choose a bullet to try then look at available powders to suit your bullet choice. What works for me in any of my guns may not shoot well at all in your guns.

That said using 55 grain bullets about 27.7 grains of Win 748 and using a small rifle magnum primer. Matter of fact anytime I choose a ball type powder I like to use magnum primers. See what works for you. Faster twist, in my experience come to light with the heavier bullets which can also cost more. Bullets above 65 grains I like powders like Reloader 7 and H4895 but again see what works for you. My rifles with other twist rates I use different combinations.

Ron

For the cheapest plinking ammo, 55fmj, and WC844. For slightly more cost, I prefer the flat-based 55SP bullets which are more accurate, in my experience, out to 300 yards. For decent accuracy out to 600 yards, I like the Hornady 75bthp and 8208xbr.

I load either 55gr or 62gr FMJ for general plinking. I have used Varget and TAC for the majority of my practice rounds. Varget is really hard to come by now so I am kinda saving my last pound to reload hunting ammo. I have been able to find some IMR 4064 lately and am working up loads for it right now. Most of my bullets come from Everglades Ammo. They have great prices and great customer service. And the bullets have shot very well for me. Also have loaded some bullets from Hornady as well.