So, should I get some heavier bullets for 5.56?? For 1:8 TWIST

[Rule3]

All my 223/.5.56 are 1:9 twist. I just picked up a nice AR 15 that is 1:8 twist.

Most of my shooting is just range shooting max distance we have is 100 yards.

I have lots of 55 gr Hornady and Sierra BT bullets

Should I get some bulk bullets that are a bit heavier?? If so who has the best deal on them. I am no match shooter so do not need high end projectiles. I prefer BT just for ease in loading.

Need to stock up TEOTAWKI

Something in the 60?? or so grain??

Yes, I have manuals and this:

http://www.6mmbr.com/223rem.HTML

 

[farmerboy78]

Will this be for hunting, paper punching, or what... I would say no if it's not for hunting,

 

[Rule3]

Killing paper and clay birds

 

[forestswin]

that's funny!
I was just going over this with a friend who was trying to pick out powder compatible with both 223 and 308.

From the reading I did, it seems W748 and 68 grain bullets for 1:9 are a good match.

But heck, I don't have a 223, so what do I know?

 

[Reloadron]

With a 1:9 yeah, I would run some 69 grain. For OK (not great) .224 bullets every now and then Midway runs sales on the Dogtown Bullets. Keep an eye on the Components for sale sections as people tend to post good sales.

When any good deals come along I agree as to stock up! It's not "if" another shortage happens but when.

Ron

 

[hdwhit]

I have had very good luck with 60 grain bullets on top of IMR4198, IMR3031 or WW748.

IMR4198 is about the most "efficient" delivering 2,800+ fps velocities on less than 20 grains of powder. But, if you decide on IMR4198, be sure to check the current reloading manuals. All the stuff I loaded in 1982 was half a grain below maximum but since the manuals have changed, it is now nearly a full grain above.

 

[ericuda]

Xtreme still has 20% off, I Would order some of their 55 fmj's. My rra 1:7 shoots them very well.

Sorry seen you had some 55 grain bullets. Try them first in your new rifle, I bet they'll work just fine.

Or pick up some 60 or 62 grain and have fun.

 

[Rule3]

This is for a 1:8 Twist.

 

[Rule3]

that's funny!
I was just going over this with a friend who was trying to pick out powder compatible with both 223 and 308.

From the reading I did, it seems W748 and 68 grain bullets for 1:9 are a good match.

But heck, I don't have a 223, so what do I know?

Ha ha, Funny guy. I did not have the 1:8 when that was going on.

You should have a 223 by now I sent you all the great sales for uppers!

 

[ericuda]

Have you tried some of your current rounds in your new rifle. I am betting you will be fine.

 

[RecoilRob]

If you are shooting at short range and just punching holes in paper...I'd go with the most economical bullet I could find that shot well. Unless you want the capability to go over 500 yds the heavier bullets likely won't offer you anything you don't already have at 100.

Now, if your current bullets aren't as accurate as you think they should be...by all means experiment to find what the rifle seems to like. But just busting rocks and having fun up close doesn't normally need Match grade ammo and seems a waste when a cheap FMJ military pull would do the same job for lots less money.

It would be helpful to have a few boxes of heavier ammo that the rifle likes just in case you encounter a situation down the road that would warrent their use. It's good to be prepared!

 

[John3921]

I put a 1:8 16" socom bbl on a new build. To try and find a load for it I picked up a box of Sierra Blitzking 55 gr bullets. I shot 7 groups from a rest at 100 yds. All of them were sub moa - except a couple I pulled the shot on. A few days later I shot a test batch of 7 bullets, also sub MOA, in the wind.

I don't think 55 gr and 1:8 is a problem. I've done enough reading on it to pretty well convince myself it's fine.

I have some inexpensive 55 gr FMJ bullets. They are not grouping well - but I'm not seeing any keyholing or evidence of bullets coming apart. Clean holes, just not as tightly grouped as the blitzkings.

 

[Reloadron]

Guess I should have read that better? I would still try something in the 69 grain neighborhood.

Ron

 

[carbine85]

Buy a box of 69 gr. SMK bullets. I'm getting sub 1/2" MOA with my 1:8 if I do my parts.

 

[rg1]

55 grain bullets are fine for your new rifle. I shoot 55 gr. in more than one 1/7 twist. Or load some 68-69 grain bullets to test or maybe some 60-65 grain hunting type bullets. That's part of the fun of reloading, testing different loads.

 

[John3921]

There is discussion on 55 gr and 1:7 twist bbls here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/687746_55_Grain_Bullets_Fired_From_AR_15s_with_1_7_Twist_Barrels.html

 

[Ifishsum]

For 200 yds or less, I would (and do) use a 52-55 gr bullet. The 1:8 will shoot heavier ones for sure, but there really isn't much advantage to heavier for target shooting unless you're going longer range or if you find they just shoot better in your barrel. I use the 53gr SMK for highpower matches that are 200 yds or less - they are cheaper and I think they wear the barrel a little bit less. At that range they are just as accurate as the heavies i use for longer XTC matches. Try 68-69gr as well, and if they shoot better than the lighter ones then I'd use them. Bulk Hornady 75gr HPBT are very reasonable compared to

 

[jmr40]

The 8 twist is quite versatile and should be acceptable with most any common weight. You might not do well with the bullets at both ends of the spectrum, say 35 gr or 80 gr bullets. But most anything in the 50's, 60's and maybe even lower to mid 70's should be OK. It just depends on what you want to do.

 

[Rule3]

I have a few small boxes of heavier bullets but not thousands, Guess I will try some of them before buying a big box.

Have not purchased 223/ 556 bullets for a long time, I got a deal on a lot of the 55 gr ones a while back,

 

[Hardtarget]

If you are wanting to try other weights, try some Hornady V-max or A-max. I'm pretty sure the A-max comes in 60 gr. Graf's has Privy 62 gr fmj. They shoot pretty good in my AR (20" with a 1:9 twist) If you're reloading you can find lots of bullets to try.

Its all fun!

Mark

 

[ants]

First, let me state (controversy here!!!) that too much has been made of 'rate of twist' in 223 that isn't made for any other cartridge or caliber.

When I got my first match grade stainless 1:8 twist bull-barrel I thought the heavy-bullet universe would open up before me.
Heavier bullets!!! Woo Hoo !!!

Well...

All my 1:8 barrels work great with 52, 55, 62, 69, and 77 grain bullets. Not just heavier bullets but all premium bullets within that range.

It turns out that each rate-of-twist doesn't work for just ONE weight of bullet, it works for a whole wide range of bullets. Not just one or two weights.
Don't let anyone fool you into thinking you just need one weight of bullet.
Just like all the other calibers and cartridges, each twist works for a range of bullet weights. You'll see.


Hope this helps.


P.S. If the majority of you good brothers think I'm all wrong, you can burn me at the stake. Thank you.

 

[SARuger]

I use a 75g AMAX for my 1-8 twist Ruger American and I'm getting sub moa at 100 yards. Right now I'm using BLC-2. I might try another powder in the future but right now I'm happy with it and its a safe load being right in the middle of the data.

I'm running tests on Sierra 69g HPBT Matchkings. I'm not impressed with my groups. I have tried Reloader 15, Varget, and BLC-2. The RL-15 has given me the best groups and a clean burn but Varget was terrible and BLC-2 was not as good as it is with the heavier pill.

 

[Blue68f100]

I get my best groups using the Sierra 69gr Matchkings or 65gr Gamekings out of my 1:8 twist barrel, Wydle chamber. I use Varget with max OAL that fits the magazine, 2.260". With Varget I have found that most of the accurate loads are with in 0.1-0.2 gr of Max. The Hornady V-Max and A-Max shoot good but the Sierra's out shoot them in my gun.

 

[Nature Boy]

I wish I could get my 1:9 twist to stabilize 75g AMAX since I bought 200 of them. So far, no luck

 

[TimSr]

For target shooting, and plinking there is no good reason not to try other less expensive components to see if you can keep acceptable results. I'd buy 100 before I bought 1000 though.