Is it odd that FMJ is the most accurate?

[Click_Here]

I've been developing loads for .223 for over a year now for 3 different semi-auto AR's. 1:7 16", 1:8 18" and a 1:7 20"
The list below is what I ended up with as my most accurate findings after trying various powder, loads and projectile combo of what I have on hand.

55gr Hornady FMJ + 23.5gr XTERM
62gr Hornady FMJ + 24gr XBR
75gr Speer TMJ - 23.2gr TAC
75gr Hornady HPBT Match - 21.5gr XBR
75gr 3GH RMR - 23.5gr VARGET

I was always told that FMJ's were not the most accurate compared to match rounds with no cannelure and dont crimp etc...

The 62gr Hornady FMJ + 24gr XBR had been consistently more accurate over the others in all 3 rifles. Why?
What could I be doing wrong where the premium stuff is not on par with the run of the mill Hornady FMJ?

 

[Dudedog]

Off hand I would say your rifle likes 62gr bullets. Might try a nicer bullet that's 62gr, maybe 69.
I have decided there is no explaining rifles, they like what they like
Be happy yours likes the cheaper FMJs

Did you do load workups on all the bullet/powder combos?

 

[CapnMac]

Whole bunch of variables all come into play.
How consistent the bullets are--weight, shape, etc.
Also, what distance will matter, too. What's phenomenal at 100 may not be at 500 (or where ever they fall under supersonic velocity).

The BC of the bullets can matter, heavier, longer, BT, rounds still rule the roost in NRA high power.

And a touch of luck, too (which can be improved upon by being super consistent with as many other things as you can be).

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I too do well with FMJ in 55 and 62 grains. Im still working on my longer range skills. I have hitting clays set up at 200 yards down. With my bolt action and my AR'S and my mini 14 584 series. Im getting better at the 250 yard line.

 

[cfullgraf]

Generally, bullets with closed bases yield better accuracy than bullets with open bases that expose the lead core.

This is the reason most match bullets have an open tip. The jacket cup covers the base of the bullet.

But other variables come into play at times.

 

[Laphroaig]

Those 62 gr. Hornady FMJ's shoot pretty well for a cheaper bullet. But there is no doubt in my mind that you can find a more accurate load with the 75 Hornady HPBT match bullet. You have a nice selection of .223 powders to choose from. Maybe give Varget a try with the 75's. I'd have to check my notes, but I had good results with that powder and bullet.

 

[Click_Here]

I do work up loads. I start from the middle of published loads and work all the way to or past max looking at accuracy and pressure signs. No chrono available yet. I'm thinking, Maybe I am not be pushing the heavier grains enough but at 100 yards (indoor, benched and rested) they are all on target grouping well with the 62gr producing the smallest groups. I guess its a good (and lucky) thing that I found a load that works very well in all 3 barrels.

 

[Click_Here]

Those 62 gr. Hornady FMJ's shoot pretty well for a cheaper bullet. But there is no doubt in my mind that you can find a more accurate load with the 75 Hornady HPBT match bullet. You have a nice selection of .223 powders to choose from. Maybe give Varget a try with the 75's. I'd have to check my notes, but I had good results with that powder and bullet.

I'd love to hear what your load was with Varget and 75gr Hornady HPBT. Interestingly enough, I did not do that combo yet since I just recently came across Varget.

 

[Laphroaig]

I hate to give specific loads out on the net because what worked in my rifle might not in yours. But I'd suggest working up to 24 grains or so and pay attention along the way.

The 75 Hornady is one of my favorite competition bullets. I'm loading them with Rl15 now but have used Varget extensively in the past. Both produce accurate ammunition for me.

 

[cfullgraf]

It is funny, most of the Service Rifle Matches I shot in were on 100 yd short courses of fire.

While my practice ammunition, 68 gr Sierra OTM bullets gave the best groups at 100 yards in my CMP match rifle, my best score was with my Colt Match Target with 55 gr FMJ bullets over the same 100 yd course of fire.

I’d like to think the Sierra 69 OTM bullets would work better at the longer ranges of the standard course of fire.

 

[higgite]

In your comparison, 62gr FMJs performed better than 75gr HPs. How about comparing the 62gr FMJs to some 62gr HPs? Like Dudedog said, your rifles might prefer 62gr bullets.

 

[mavracer]

Hornady are typically one of the better shooting FMJ but like @higgite said try the same load with a 62gr HPBT match bullet.

 

[longdayjake]

Yeah, you might try the 69 grain bullets. I have a rifle that LOVES the 75s but only shoots the 69s ho hum. But my 28" barrel LOVES the 69s and doesn't seem to like the 75s. It's a weird thing. I can find a load that shoots well in both guns but one will always shoot better in one gun than the other.

 

[lightman]

"Is it odd that FMJ is the most accurate"?

It is in my experience. I've never had a FMJ bullet in either 5.56 or 7.62 that shot well. The exception to this is the old 173 grain 7.62 bullet loaded in some Match ammo. The Sierra 168 SMK still out shot them. But let your rifle be the final judge.

 

[Click_Here]

Thank you all. Well, looking for 62gr HP either my Google-fu is weak or it’s not a highly available or even available projectile. I’ll try some 69gr from RMR although it’s close 1gr closer to 75gr. I
Initially do not get into hand loading to chase accuracy but some one told me it’s inevitable. Here I am.

 

[FROGO207]

And down the rabbit hole you go.............

 

[AJC1]

Thank you all. Well, looking for 62gr HP either my Google-fu is weak or it’s not a highly available or even available projectile. I’ll try some 69gr from RMR although it’s close 1gr closer to 75gr. I
Initially do not get into hand loading to chase accuracy but some one told me it’s inevitable. Here I am.

Some guys really like the 52 Sierra. If your barrel doesn't like heavies it might be worth a try.

 

[jmorris]

I was always told that FMJ's were not the most accurate compared to match rounds with no cannelure and dont crimp etc...

Blanket statements often can be disproven, especially with the best/worst versions of items being compared.

In bullet construction there can be variance in the product, on bullets with closed bases that variance generally winds up at the tip, closet to the center and is often just variation in remaining jacket (less mass than the lead core).



Despite this dattum/measurements off the ogive, to the base show them to be identical.



Open base bullet construction leaves variation on the other end of the bullet. Not only is this the last part of the bullet in contact with the firearm is also easier to place the imperfections further from the center where they mess up balance to a greater extent too.

So they don’t look bad.



Until you look at the right part.

What could I be doing wrong where the premium stuff is not on par with the run of the mill Hornady FMJ?

There is lots of variables and if you were only wanting to test construction style, you could have chosen a more apples to apples comparison using the same weight, just different styles.

 

[rsrocket1]

Those bullets look horrible. I've never bought fmj bullets with bases that looked that bad. I wouldn't accept those bullets even if they were sold as blems. I'd maybe load them up for a demo mag dump or to blow up soda cans at 10 yards.

 

[jmorris]

Yes they are awful, just the best way to illustrate what I was talking about.

 

[N555]

Off hand I would say your rifle likes 62gr bullets. Might try a nicer bullet that's 62gr, maybe 69.
I have decided there is no explaining rifles, they like what they like
Be happy yours likes the cheaper FMJs

Did you do load workups on all the bullet/powder combos?

Yeah my 1:7 guns really like 62gr fmj and 69gr match bullets.

 

[cougar1717]

What could I be doing wrong where the premium stuff is not on par with the run of the mill Hornady FMJ?

You are doing nothing wrong. It's just that some may disagree with the use of "premium" and "match" in reference to those specific 75's.

If the testing included bullets like: Hornady V-max; Nosler Ballistic Tip or Custom competition; or Sierra _____ King - there is very little chance that the Hornady 62 FMJ could finish first against any of those load workups in a statistically significant test.
I also agree with others that the Hornady 75's should shoot better than the 62's, but some rifles: 1) don't like the secant ogive 2) require a specific OAL adjustment for best accuracy or 3) have their most accurate loads at or near the top of the published data where primers can to sneak out of their pockets in some rifle chambers, in hot weather, with HDY75's.

Btw, this is exactly how addiction begins because " maybe that group will be smaller if I try......."

 

[rdnktrkr]

Something I found was an accurate load at 100yrds is not always the best at 200, 300 or more, I've had loads that shot great at 100yrds, good at 200, acceptable at 300 and a pattern at 600. I also prefer bullets with a solid base instead of FMJ. I think you will enjoy the 69gr from RMR.

 

[Click_Here]

I picked up a box of Hornady 68gr HPBT Match projectiles. I got slightly better results out of these than the 62gr FMJ's out of all 3 barrels. Using XBR, Varget and TAC. XBR again put down the tightest groups. But every single group was exceptionally tighter than with the 62gr FMJ's. I didn't do any ladder testing. I just went 10% below published Max from Hornady. Time to dial it in I guess.

 

[AJC1]

I picked up a box of Hornady 68gr HPBT Match projectiles. I got slightly better results out of these than the 62gr FMJ's out of all 3 barrels. Using XBR, Varget and TAC. XBR again put down the tightest groups. But every single group was exceptionally tighter than with the 62gr FMJ's. I didn't do any ladder testing. I just went 10% below published Max from Hornady. Time to dial it in I guess.

I also got exceptional results from the box of 100 I got in trade. Your not chasing your tail.