Navigating the desert of .223 bullet choices.

[Palladan44]

New to reloading .223/ 5.56 here. Loading for ARs only.
Looking to make some informed decisions on bullet selections, there are a lot of choices out there.

Right now, I've got 1000pcs of some 55gr FMJ-BT w/ cannelures M193's.

From having shot strictly Factory ammunition in MSR platforms up to this point, I've found the closest to 1 MOA I've ever had at 100 to 200yds. was using M193 ball or Remington UMC 55gr FMJs. It outshot Fiocchi 77gr SMKs in my Colt CAR-A3 H-BAR with 1:9 twist barrel. (I quickly learned that a barrel with that twist rate likes better the lighter bullets)

I have some other M4 length carbines with 1/7 twist barrels, but I don't really consider those as much of precision guns as the H-Bar.

Any suggestions?
Using H-335 as I've got a good bit of it.

 

[lightman]

Match your bullet choice to its intended use and to your rifling twist. For example, FMJ's for plinking or busting cans. Sierra Blitzking or Nosler or Hornady's equilvent for Varmints. Sierra Matchkings or Bergers for target/match shooting.
I shoot Sierra BlitzKings, either 50 or 55 grain on our Prairie Dog hunts. And Sierra's 69 grain SMK when I want to shoot little groups on paper. Although the Blitzkings shoot really well. My rifles have 1-9 twist barrels. I don't shoot FMJ bullets anymore. Most just don't shoot as well as my rifles are capable of.

 

[blackd24]

RMR 69 grain bullets are about $.14 a piece and shoot very accurate in my PSA 18 inch AR. They like TAC.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I'll add if you did not get dies yet. Get a set with a small base sizing die. I already loaded .223/556. But found i needed a small base die after i got my AR.

 

[AJC1]

RMR 69 grain bullets are about $.14 a piece and shoot very accurate in my PSA 18 inch AR. They like TAC.

This is also what I do, order 1k at a time. It's not nor immediate question but is a great long term plan. I haven't loaded h335 I also run TAC, or n135.

 

[DMW1116]

I have a pretty good load with Barnes 52 grain Match Burners using H335. It shot about 1.5 MOA during testing, but that was from a PSA 20" Chrome lined barrel with iron sights. TAC did shoot them a little tighter, but at the time it was harder to find. The champion for tightest group goes to CFE 223 and the Sierra 77 grain Match King. Generally shoots a little tighter than the Barnes, but my barrel is a 1/7 twist. The 69 grain RMR also seems a good bullet with CFE 223. I have not tried either with H335. My range fodder loads are both Hornady 55 grain FMJBT with either TAC or H335. Recently I tried Shooters World AR Plus for the 55's too, but I think I'm going to save that for my 308 loads. TAC shot the 55s a little tighter than H335, and AR Plus was in a dead heat with TAC. I don't have velocity information though.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I need to redo my load development for my 223's. Each rifle likes a different load.But i misplaced my cheat sheet.

 

[AK Hunter]

I need to redo my load development for my 223's. Each rifle likes a different load.But i misplaced my cheat sheet.

Like this one.

 

[Charlie98]

Garbage in, garbage out.

Most 55grn FMJ bullets will deliver reasonable accuracy, but in most cases, not the accuracy of a better match-type bullet. I spent a few years trying to get my Colt H-bar to shoot my 55grn reloads as well as factory... and I never could, only realizing too late that it was a pipe dream for the most part. Part of it also was the 1:7" twist on the H-bar barrel... it has never liked anything 55grn. A switch to the 69grn SMK, and all is well. For that matter, Hornady makes a 62grn BTHP that's almost as cheap as cheapo 55grn FMJ... so that has become my blasting bullet. 62grn shoots well enough in any reasonable twist... 1: 7, 8, or 9"

H335. I've been loading H335 for as long as I've been loading for the AR, about 30 years. Yes, it makes great blasting ammos, and as a ball powder, meters well and accurately. Even loading it under 69grn SMK's, I'm not getting as good of accuracy as I am out of IMR4895, and I'll be giving TAC a try very soon. I've got about 12# of H335... so I'll burn it up making 55grn or 62grn blasting ammos, and switch to something else for the match bullets. Just my experience.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

All mine are 1-9 twist. The 3 powders i need to match to each rifle is. H335,TAC and CFE 223. My mini 14 did well with IMR 4895 too. But im out of it. And it's high in price.

 

[jmorris]

I have always had pretty good results with the Hornady #2278 out of AR’s.

My Savage 112 really like them, this is 5 of them @ 300 yards.

Compared to 55gn FMJ’s.

 

[Random 8]

Start with your M193s and see what they'll do. You've got a bunch, and H335 is as good a place to start as any.

Beyond that, you'll have to do some experimenting. I've found the 75 Hornady HPBT to work well in a couple of 1:9 twist carbines. Stable to 300m which is as far as I've tested it. A 68 or 69 might be a better option theoretically. Either should work well in your 1:7 guns, and 68s might be the best bet for an "all around" load across the rifles. 335 will work here, but you might be better served with a slower powder such as 748 or AA 2495 (both currently available at ReCob). Though not a dedicated varmint or expanding bullet, the 75s do expand on a coyote to at least 500 yards fired from my 20" NM rifle. I'd expect the 68 Hornady to perform similarly. The Hornady 73 ELD-M might be worth a try also, but they aren't cheap.

I use the inexpensive Speer 55 gr SP for an all around "shootin" bullet in the .223. My 1:8 RRA national match 20" shoots them well, and also a couple of 1:9 carbines. Haven't tried them in a 1:7. I'm presently running them over some Bl-C2, but have also used VN140 and worked a load with H335. All had similar results...minute of beer can, minute of coyote at the worst. The NM shot them into a tidy 1" or tighter cluster with whatever powder I threw at it. It's that kind of rifle. I've also used the 55 Vmax and 55 Varmageddon to good effect on nuisance critters. Both my carbine and the NM rifle liked the N140 load well enough for the purpose, so never experimented further. Both the Speer SP and the tipped bullets expanded violently on soft targets to 300 yards, with the tipped variety showing more explosiveness, especially at longer ranges. If you're just punching paper that's irrelevant, but throwing it out there anyhow.

 

[DMW1116]

I forgot about the soft points. My rifles like the Hornady 55 grain soft points over a lesser charge of TAC powder.

 

[Palladan44]

Start with your M193s and see what they'll do. You've got a bunch, and H335 is as good a place to start as any.

Beyond that, you'll have to do some experimenting. I've found the 75 Hornady HPBT to work well in a couple of 1:9 twist carbines. Stable to 300m which is as far as I've tested it. A 68 or 69 might be a better option theoretically. Either should work well in your 1:7 guns, and 68s might be the best bet for an "all around" load across the rifles. 335 will work here, but you might be better served with a slower powder such as 748 or AA 2495 (both currently available at ReCob). Though not a dedicated varmint or expanding bullet, the 75s do expand on a coyote to at least 500 yards fired from my 20" NM rifle. I'd expect the 68 Hornady to perform similarly. The Hornady 73 ELD-M might be worth a try also, but they aren't cheap.

I use the inexpensive Speer 55 gr SP for an all around "shootin" bullet in the .223. My 1:8 RRA national match 20" shoots them well, and also a couple of 1:9 carbines. Haven't tried them in a 1:7. I'm presently running them over some Bl-C2, but have also used VN140 and worked a load with H335. All had similar results...minute of beer can, minute of coyote at the worst. The NM shot them into a tidy 1" or tighter cluster with whatever powder I threw at it. It's that kind of rifle. I've also used the 55 Vmax and 55 Varmageddon to good effect on nuisance critters. Both my carbine and the NM rifle liked the N140 load well enough for the purpose, so never experimented further. Both the Speer SP and the tipped bullets expanded violently on soft targets to 300 yards, with the tipped variety showing more explosiveness, especially at longer ranges. If you're just punching paper that's irrelevant, but throwing it out there anyhow.

I love how you mentioned Recobs. I can drive there in 40 minutes

 

[Random 8]

I love how you mentioned Recobs. I can drive there in 40 minutes

I like that they ship HAZ to me SpeeDee with a much smaller fee than UPS and don't require me to be home and sign paper. I work more hours than UPS so that usually doesn't work.

 

[ms6852]

When it comes to AR's depending on manufacturers and or brand a one to one and a half inch group is normal and the standard. When I purchased my first AR a Rock River Arms predator with a heavy barrel it came with a 3/4" moa guarantee. Reloading my own bullets and my group shrunk more. Now my barrel comes with a 1:8 twist and I tried a variety of loads and bullets and found out that it does not like the lighter stuff too. Now I only use Hornady 75gr match BTHP bullets for hunting and plinking. I shoot sub-moa at 200 yards with this bullet and only load this round. No need to complicate my life with all the other stuff it does not shoot well.

Recommend you to find what your rifle likes and than stock up on what it shoots very well.

 

[Bartojc]

Do you want range ammo for practice or better match grade ammo ? Hunting, and if so what is the prey you are after ?
For range/practice ammo I think the Hornady 55gr FMJBT is hard to beat and probably cheapest when bought in bulk. Used to be about .08 per round but I haven['t bought any in about 5 years. Its fairly accurate for FMJ. To be honest if your getting 1 moa out of your fmj bullet that may be as good as it gets.
For more accuracy I like the Sierra Pro-Hunter or the Nosler Varmageddon both in 55gr. They are a hunting bullet, but for me both are quite a bit more consistent than any FMJ. They are a good compromise between accuracy and cost.
I use H335 as well for 55gr. It works well enough. For heavier there are probably better powders but if you have H335 I'd try it.

-Jeff

 

[JEBruns]

Bullets make a big difference. I tried some various RMR bullets, 55gr and 69gr. I really like their 9mm bullets, but I've never been able to get much accuracy from their .223 bullets, and it's not from lack of trying. Multiple ladders with those. Hornady SP and Match are better, but still not quite the accuracy I was after. Finally stumbled onto to some 52gr SMK's at our local Bass Pro. I'm just punching paper with mine, but it's nice to finally have loads that beat the accuracy of store bought ammo. Sub-MOA at 100yds. Using both H335 and CFE223, but prefer the CFE223 overall. I need to get some heavier SMK's and give them a try. My 1:7 barrel may prefer those.

 

[Palladan44]

I'm pleased with my first 200 yd shoot with the most successful load of the 100yd ladders....... the wind was about 10-13 mph gusty from my 4-5 o'clock, so I'm happy with the results. 34 degrees F was the high. On the Y-axis anyways, I've got sub MOA , but I'll let the wind take credit for the 2.9" in between the 2 outermost rounds on the X-Axis. But my poor form and pounding heartbeat could also play a role (im so out of shape its disgusting)
But the best part was being alone at the range in peace and quiet.
The 20" x 30" FBI- Q target is just a white speck at 200, and the actual bottle target was invisible to the naked eye....but darn clear through my Vortex 4-12x. I love the guys who claim they can shoot [name the small target] at [name the ridiculous yardage] with open sights, or shot the [name the running animal, deer usually] through the heart. Yeah....right!

 

[Random 8]

I'm pleased with my first 200 yd shoot with the most successful load of the 100yd ladders....... the wind was about 10-13 mph gusty from my 4-5 o'clock, so I'm happy with the results. 34 degrees F was the high. On the Y-axis anyways, I've got sub MOA , but I'll let the wind take credit for the 2.9" in between the 2 outermost rounds on the X-Axis. But my poor form and pounding heartbeat could also play a role (im so out of shape its disgusting)View attachment 1143171
But the best part was being alone at the range in peace and quiet.View attachment 1143172
The 20" x 30" FBI- Q target is just a white speck at 200, and the actual bottle target was invisible to the naked eye....but darn clear through my Vortex 4-12x. I love the guys who claim they can shoot [name the small target] at [name the ridiculous yardage] with open sights, or shot the [name the running animal, deer usually] through the heart. Yeah....right!
View attachment 1143173

Looks like a good load. That is realistic wind deflection for 200 yards with a 69. Glad to see those RMRs are doing well. Once I'm done with the buttzillion Hor 75s I have, I'll probably give that bullet a try.

 

[2ndtimer]

Since Hornady is not currently producing their excellent 62 gr BTHP (previously available from MidSouth Shooters Supply), I have been trying the RMR 69 gr BTHP with okay results, but not yet as good as my pet load with the Hornady 62 gr bullets. I always get better results with either soft point or hollow point bullets versus the open base FMJ bullets, although the Hornady FMJ’s have been better than others like Wolf or Winchester.

 

[jebova2301]

One of the things I have learned is that asking reloaders what bullet to use is kind of like asking a car forum "what oil is best for my car?" Ask 10 different people and you'll somehow manage to get 11 different answers.

For just basic blasting ammo, I really like the Hornady 55gr soft point or FMJs. I prefer the soft point, since they are dirt cheap(basically always the same price as the FMJs) and shoot reasonably well, and they also work phenomenally on coyotes.

As far as accuracy goes, the best I have stumbled across(only dealing with about 100 yards while testing) was the Hornady 55 grain vmax. Great accuracy, doesn't break the bank, and also does a number on coyotes, groundhogs, squirrels, and raccoons.