Opinions wanted for first .223 bullets

Those will do just fine! Plenty of load data for them as well!

ballman6711 said:

So I'm going to start loading for my AR15 gas gun, it's a Colt Hbar with 1-9 twist. I'm thinking of using these bullets. What doe's everyone think? This will be my first bottleneck reloads.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010592095?pid=181006

chris

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They will work great. Load em up.

What do you want from your Colt? What’s your application?

What do you want to do with them ? Whats the application ?

-Jeff

Chris,
Nice bullet, it'll do.
But if you're asking me, I'd go with a boat tail.
They're a LOT easier to seat without messing with the case rim.
Like these 2.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1390221585
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1165324457

Just my 2¢ worth.

Good choice. Accurate and less expensive than lot's of other bullets. Have to take a little care to start the bullet straight but not a problem. Don't rely on Hornady's load data alone. Check other sources such as Hogdon's data. Hodgdon is more realistic and safe also.

With a 1:9 Twist, I think I would go a little heavier.

It is a perfectly good place to start. Now the learning begins.

ballman6711 said:

it's a Colt Hbar with 1-9 twist.

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You sure it's not a 1:7 H-Bar? I don't know if I've ever seen a Colt H-bar with a 1:9 heavy barrel...

That is a fine bullet to start with. There is a lot of load data for 55gr .223 bullets and a lot of powder choices. I have loaded a lot of 60gr Hornady SPs and they shoot really well. You will probably have to guide them a bit into the seating die because they won't sit in case like a boat tail.

Charlie98 said:

You sure it's not a 1:7 H-Bar? I don't know if I've ever seen a Colt H-bar with a 1:9 heavy barrel...

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My Colt Competition H BAR and CAR-A3 H BAR Elite are both 1/9". Most of the Competition type H BARS that Colt made in the 1990's were 1-9". The use of the heavier 75-77 gr. bullets were not popular until a few years later.

Makes me a little mad because I can only go up to the 69-70 gr. bullets in those rifles.

Interesting.

My H-Bar, bought in '92, I believe, is 1:7. I can't shoot 55grn bullets in it...

It's hard to go wrong at 55gr .223. That's where I started. However, ...

Case prep can be a real bear. I load 5.56, .308, .40, and 9mm, and IMO 5.56 (.223) is the worst.

.223/5.56 cases have one of the highest "stick-shun" coefficients of any bottle nose case. Surface area divided by case volume. I had lots of stuck cases in the resizer. Punches, hammers, and Navy Language. Finally found a case lube that worked - a 1:10 mix of 80W gear oil to isopropanol (a.k.a. iso-Heet) - both found at the Local Auto Store. Cheap. Spray it onto the cases in a 1-gallon Zip-Loc. Let it dry (in a well-ventilated place) or you'll get hydraulic lock. Search THR, it's somebody else's idea, and it works. Good luck to you.

That a good place to start ,follow the reloading manual recommendations. You will love reloading its my favorite part of the hobby.

Those are great just pick a recipe and go for it.

Those are an absolutely appropriate option for your first...and all...reloads in your application. A darn fine bullet for varmints and soft targets as well. If they don't shoot up to your expectations, try the Speer or Sierra version, or the Hornady Vmax or Nosler Varmageddon. My guess is those will suit you just fine, and you'll never need to look elsewhere.

The Hornady spire 55gn is a great bullet, and comparatively inexpensive.

You might also want to consider a boattail, like the Sierra GameKing;
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101093139?pid=280317

Or, as @Hondo 60 mentioned, the Hornady spire point boattail

Easier to start seating.

That bullet will work just fine. Have you looked at RMR, Rocky Mountain Reloading is where I get all my 223 and jacketed 9mm. They are a great company, a member here, and have a discount for members and also free shipping.

Charlie98 said:

Interesting.

My H-Bar, bought in '92, I believe, is 1:7. I can't shoot 55grn bullets in it...

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I also have one, 20in H-bar 1:9 tag end of 80's early 90's. I've had it so long I can't sell it so I guess I should finish collecting the parts to stick it together.

+1 with @bullseye308

https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/bul...-hornady-lead-core-full-metal-jacket-bullets/

Midway is a great company, but if you’ve got a gas gun, you’ll be through that box of 100 in a few mags. Do yourself a favor and get 1K, they’re cheaper in quantity and you won’t be kicking yourself that you should have ordered more. RMR has 62 and 69’s as well. Good luck.

ballman6711 said:

General plinking/range ammo. Will probably be shooting between 50 and 100 yards, although I'll have the option to go out to 200 yards. But with iron sights and my older eyes that won't be likely.

I was looking at these bullets mainly because they are available, but would be happy to start with a different bullet.

chris

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They should work fine for your purposes. The price was decent too. Time to stock up ?

-Jeff

Actually, 55grn anything should shoot reasonably well in that 1:9 barrel. The flat base, like others have mentioned, might give you a few issues trying to start them into the cases; even though it's an extra step, you can chamfer the case opening a little which might help, and keep from shaving copper off the bullet.

Speaking of case prep... I don't know how well versed you are in reloading for autoloaders. There are a few things you will need to look at...

Have you settled on a powder or powders to try?