more .223 questions

[lordgroom]

Curious what shape and weight bullet people use for an AR15 in .223. I don't have an AR15 yet but plan to buy one in the near future.

Also wondering if anyone fires cast bullets from an AR15 and if so what casting mold you use?

 

[38 Super Auto]

I shoot 55gr FMJBT in a Bushmaster AR. I load with AA 2230, data powder 2200, and 748.

 

[NuJudge]

I have several uppers. In the 1:9 I've never gotten it to shoot anything but 52gr match bullets well, and those with 26.5gr 748 in a WW case with CCI primers. Those it shoots into a little knot at 100 yards, and the same at 200 if there is no wind.

A 1:8 shoots lots of things well, especially 69 grain bullets using 4895. In the 1:8 barrel, Sierra 80's shoot well just off the lands using RL15 and Winchester primers in a Winchester case. I bought a 1:7 barrel a year ago and have not shot it much (waiting for the 1:8 to wear out).

I've never gotten either Hornady 75 to shoot well in anything, but many other people get them to do great things. I've also played some with Berger 80's, but they are very tempermental.

You will find some threads on cast bullets in the AR over on the Cast Boolits board.

CDD

 

[fourrobert13]

I load 55gr FMJBT and 68gr HPBT bullets. I use H335, TAC, W748, IMR4198, AA2460 & 2230, and surplus WC844 when I can find it. I use Winchester primers. Never used cast bullets in an AR. I would think the velocity is to much for a cast bullet, but I am not for sure on that.

 

[Idano]

lordgroom,

Like 38 Super Auto I use 23 grs of DP2200 and will be migrating to 2230 once it is gone and I too use a 55gr bullet. I don't shoot FMJs, I prefer either the Nosler Ballistic Tips or if I am being cheap Remington/Winchester SP. My upper is a A3 1 in 9. Nice round excellent separation on ground squirrels and if I am (not the gun) having a steady day can easily cover 5-shot string with a dime at 100 yds; God know what the gun could do in the hands of someone who could really shoot!

 

[TheGrimReaper]

I like a Hornady SP 55gr under 24.5 gr of H335. My .2 cents.

 

[04JRB]

Hornady v-max 55gr with 25gr of H335 works very well for me in a 1:9 twist bbl.

 

[MAUSER88]

My favorite 55 grain FMJ load is 25.0 grains of H335. Been using it for years now.

 

[RustyFN]

I have been using Hornady 55 grain FMJBT and pulled 62 grain M855 military. I just bought 8,000 55 grain tracers but haven't used any yet. I found that it is much easier to seat a BT that it is a FB. My two favorite powders are W748 and H335.
Rusty

 

[stubbicatt]

I like H4895 with 55 grain Vmax bullets, and Ramshot TAC with the 55 gr. FMJ. I haven't shot any of the heavier bullets since I sold my match rifle 10+ years ago, but I went 199 12x at 600 one time with the 80 grain Sierra bullets and H4895.

 

[Roadkill]

25g IMR 4895 with 62g pulled green tips, 26g IMR4895 with 55g pulled fmj.

 

[Run&Shoot]

Cast bullets are not recommended for gas ystem semi-autos. The lube and lead shavings can plug up the port and gas tube. Stick with jacketed bullets for the AR15.

Bullet weight and design depends on your use. 55 gr FMj will be cheaper and sufficient if you are just doing informal plinking and target practice out to 200 yds at least. Lighter bullets are good for varmint hunting. Heavier is better for longer range precision shooting.

As already mentioned, the weight of bullets you can shoot accurately depends on the twist rate of your barrel. 1:12 is good for less than 55 gr varmint shooting. 1:9 twist is good for the 55gr - 62 gr. And 1:7 is good for the 62 gr - 80 gr. Your combination of barrel and load may vary some from these but these are approximate ranges.

 

[rc109a]

I like the sierra HPBT 55g and Hornady VMAX 55g. I want to try going to the 69g HP in sierra or soemthing similar with Hornady.. I have a 1:9 twist...

 

[Ridgerunner665]

62 grain Barnes Triple Shock for deer hunting. The cheapest 55 grain fodder I can find for everything else.