New to the AR and reloading 223. I have the dies, cases, primers and various powders (from other caliber reloading) but am at a loss as to the "best" bullet to select. The AR will come with a 20" heavy barrel. Virtually all my shooting will be 200 yds or less, primarily targets but possibly the occassional varmint. Any and all advice is most welcome.
Help for AR 223 bullet selection
- Thread starter Dobe66
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Probably the most recommended plinking general shooting bullet would be Hornady's 55 FMJ-BT bullet which can be bought in bulk from several distributors. Another good choice would be bulk Hornady 55 grain Spire Points for general shooting plus varmints. I mention these because they are good bullets and CAN be bought in bulk which cuts down on the cost considerably. Other good bullets would be 52gr Hollow Point Match, 69 or 77grain Sierra HPBT MatchKings for match or targets, Nosler Ballistic Tips or Hornady V-Max for premium bullets. There are endless choices for .223 Rem that will do well in your AR. There are some good bullets in the 60-70 grain weight by various manufacturers that are designed for hunting for up to deer sized game also.
I'll second Hornady's 55 FMJ-BT!! I just bought 2,500 of Winchesters 55 FMJ-BT as they were a bit cheaper and the quality of the Hornady's is not there. Haven't shot the Winchesters yet but the Hornady's are a pretty damn good boolit! Next time I'll spend a few more $ and get the Hornady's.
To crimp or not to crimp
Thanks for the guidance. Except for the MatchKings, these have cannelures and I've read elsewhere on this site that crimping isn't really necessary. Should you always crimp a bullet that has a cannelure?
Thanks for the guidance. Except for the MatchKings, these have cannelures and I've read elsewhere on this site that crimping isn't really necessary. Should you always crimp a bullet that has a cannelure?
Grumulkin
Member
AR 15 223 Bullets
For the distance you are planning on shooting, I would practice with 55 FMJBT and for occasional hunting of varmints I would use the Hornady 55 Spire Point. In both of my AR15's the point of impact is similar. The Spire Points print tighter groups. I use RCBS Match Dies and the Lee Factory Crimp Die. For powder I use AA2230 loaded near the high end of the table. My favorite primers are Winchester. I like Winchester and IMI brass.
For the distance you are planning on shooting, I would practice with 55 FMJBT and for occasional hunting of varmints I would use the Hornady 55 Spire Point. In both of my AR15's the point of impact is similar. The Spire Points print tighter groups. I use RCBS Match Dies and the Lee Factory Crimp Die. For powder I use AA2230 loaded near the high end of the table. My favorite primers are Winchester. I like Winchester and IMI brass.
FMJ-BT bullets are not accurate.
Hornadys are better then Winchesters, but they all suck compared to any of the good SP or HP or plastic tip bullets with the jacket opening in the nose instead of the base of the bullet.
They are fine for cheap blasting ammo, but do not expect great accuracy at all.
rc
Hornadys are better then Winchesters, but they all suck compared to any of the good SP or HP or plastic tip bullets with the jacket opening in the nose instead of the base of the bullet.
They are fine for cheap blasting ammo, but do not expect great accuracy at all.
rc
I am a Hornady man all the way. 30 years has taught me that you will most likely be buying the best and or at least as good as whatever is being reviewed as the best in any caliber. My experience is 22/250, 223. 220 swift, 222, 7mm Rem Mag, 38/357, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 9mm, 308, 30/06, 44 mag, 40 S&W. NEVER been disapointed in either "shoot em up at the gravel pits "or 300-500 yd "lets see what I can do" loads. I am not brand specific in mant things but this is one of them.
Jeff
Jeff
Bullet selection
The "best" bullet for your rifle will depend on your rifle,and what you want it to do.For accuracy I would suggest not buying in bulk yet as some barrels like sierra,some like hornady,some like nosler,etc.55 grain is as good a place to start as any.
The "best" bullet for your rifle will depend on your rifle,and what you want it to do.For accuracy I would suggest not buying in bulk yet as some barrels like sierra,some like hornady,some like nosler,etc.55 grain is as good a place to start as any.
Stay clear from Win 55gr fmj Bulk
There fine for combat games, but if your target shooting, get some Sierra Match or Varminters, bullet weight determined by your twist.
There fine for combat games, but if your target shooting, get some Sierra Match or Varminters, bullet weight determined by your twist.Barrel twist considerations
Thanks again for all the input. The barrel will come with either a 1 in 8 or 1 in 9 twist, depending on: 1. Which becomes available first. OR 2. Specific advice members of this forum.
Thanks again for all the input. The barrel will come with either a 1 in 8 or 1 in 9 twist, depending on: 1. Which becomes available first. OR 2. Specific advice members of this forum.
I'd go with the 1/9.
It is probably the most versatile unless you plan to shoot very heavy match bullets.
For lighter weight blasting & varmint bullets, the 1/9 is the most versatile twist there is.
rc
It is probably the most versatile unless you plan to shoot very heavy match bullets.
For lighter weight blasting & varmint bullets, the 1/9 is the most versatile twist there is.
rc
+1 - for 300 yds and under, 1:9 twist; longer ranges = heavier (ie longer) bullets, 1:8 or 1:7
/Bryan
/Bryan
I do not know about you but a wide open statement like that is OFF the MARK. I suggest you go look at some of Lapua bullets... ie 30cal 150 and 170gr FMJ Lock Base bullets are pretty darn accurate......
Hornady and IMI 55gr FMJ bullets are the best offerings to find the best accuracy with that type of bullet!
I don't think the guy was asking about .30 cal Lapua bullets for his AR-15.
I stand by my statement with the disclaimer, "except for Lapua match bullets".
Run of the mill American FMJ-BT bullets are not at all accurate in comparison to almost any other bullets from the same company with the jacket hole in the nose.
rc
Have shot a dozen or so different brands of fmjs.(not Lapua) All of the ones I've shot will turn an "MOA" gun into an average plinker.
Research continues
Any group of knowledgable individuals will have differing opinions. The "spread" of answers to date points me in the right direction and has helped to focus on a few of the countless options available. There's little point in getting a 20" (+?) heavy SS barrel for accuracy and then using handloaded so-so bullets. Thanks again for all of your help.
Any group of knowledgable individuals will have differing opinions. The "spread" of answers to date points me in the right direction and has helped to focus on a few of the countless options available. There's little point in getting a 20" (+?) heavy SS barrel for accuracy and then using handloaded so-so bullets. Thanks again for all of your help.
Where are you guys getting the 55 FMJs? Especially the IMI bullets? I've been looking all over, and there's no availability. I find SPs everywhere, and plenty of 62s (incl. SS-109), but 55s are "out of stock."
I recommend some Hornady V-Max, Nosler Ballistic Tip, Sierra BlitzKings, Speer TNT, etc. You can get them in 100, 250, 500, or 1000 cnt lots.
Else get a Match HP, like the Sierra MatchKing, Hornady, or Custom Competition. They are available in bulk.
Match your rifle twist to the bullet grain and bullet length.
I got 40gr to 75gr for 1:9 twist DPMS panther bull 20. The 69gr and 75gr are match, the rest are varmint-type bullets.
.223 bullets are a lot cheaper than .30 cal match/varmint bullets in bulk.
Else get a Match HP, like the Sierra MatchKing, Hornady, or Custom Competition. They are available in bulk.
Match your rifle twist to the bullet grain and bullet length.
I got 40gr to 75gr for 1:9 twist DPMS panther bull 20. The 69gr and 75gr are match, the rest are varmint-type bullets.
.223 bullets are a lot cheaper than .30 cal match/varmint bullets in bulk.
+1 on what rcmodel wrote.
The bullets heel is the most important from an accuracy point of view and bullets with a uniform closed heel are open in the front (they all have at least one open end from the jacket drawing process). The lock base attempts to "uniform" the heel of a FMJ so it doesn't really apply to open heeled FMJ's. Much in the same way that Hornady uniforms the open tip meplat with a plastic insert to improve the bullet's BC.
FMJ will likely dissapoint you so keep that in mind.
I'd go with a 1/8 twist because the heavies are worth it if you ever get out of 200 yards. The Hornady 68 HPBT and the Sierra 69 HPBT are great places to start with either twist rate. Varget and RL-15 are also good, safe powders for these weights in .223.
People are always writing stuff along the lines "My century SAR-1 AK shoots silver bear at 1 MOA all day long" or whatever. You need to sift through the forums and try your best. If you do use any advice, verify for yourself. Gaining actual experience can't be beat and is the most fun IMO.
The bullets heel is the most important from an accuracy point of view and bullets with a uniform closed heel are open in the front (they all have at least one open end from the jacket drawing process). The lock base attempts to "uniform" the heel of a FMJ so it doesn't really apply to open heeled FMJ's. Much in the same way that Hornady uniforms the open tip meplat with a plastic insert to improve the bullet's BC.
FMJ will likely dissapoint you so keep that in mind.
I'd go with a 1/8 twist because the heavies are worth it if you ever get out of 200 yards. The Hornady 68 HPBT and the Sierra 69 HPBT are great places to start with either twist rate. Varget and RL-15 are also good, safe powders for these weights in .223.
People are always writing stuff along the lines "My century SAR-1 AK shoots silver bear at 1 MOA all day long" or whatever. You need to sift through the forums and try your best. If you do use any advice, verify for yourself. Gaining actual experience can't be beat and is the most fun IMO.
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redneck2
Member
I have a Bushmaster Varminter w/1-9. I use Nosler 50BT's, 26.0 Varget, WW cases. Shoots considerably less than MOA
+1.
Guys want to buy "the cheapest milsurp I can get" then wonder how others get sub MOA. Bullet quality is typically THE most important factor in accuracy.
+1.
Guys want to buy "the cheapest milsurp I can get" then wonder how others get sub MOA. Bullet quality is typically THE most important factor in accuracy.
I've got a Varminter as well. At the moment I am shoorting 60G Nosler ballistic tip spitzers using 23.2G H335. I am really liking the results with this combo. Less than 1 MOA. at 100 yds.
Historian
Historian
As far as availability and price conscious decision for 55 Gr, check out Montana Gold. Granted, they are not match bullets, but they have exceeded my expectations. I weighed 200 out of my last box of 3000 and they were all +/- .1 Gr. A bunch of IPSC shooters I run will go together and place large orders with Montana Gold. Last time we ordered 20 boxes. They shipped for free and gave us a $5 per box discount. My box of 3000 cost me $220.
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