Suggestions for bullet

[32_d3gr33s]

I currently load .223 for my ar's, but just picked up a ruger american in 223. I load x-treme 55gr with imr4895 powder for my 1 in 9 twist. The ruger is 1 in 8 and i plan on shooting longer distances eventually. Would anyone be able to suggest a source for heavier 223 bullets, and what weight would you suggest? I found a few sources, but i dont want to spend $50 on a box of bullets if a different weight/style would be better suited. I'll only be shooting paper trying for tight groups in distances of 200-300 yards for the most part. Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

200-300 yards?

Hornady V-Max, Nosler Ballistic-Tips, etc, are made for that.

The 55 is fine for that range, but 60 would be better.

http://www.hornady.com/store/search...59&categoryid[]=386&categoryid[]=375&x=52&y=8

rc

 

[243winxb]

.224" Bullets

55gr Nosler BT/IMR4198 , Hornady 68gr match/IMR3031. Sierra 69gr Match/IMR4198.

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[Clint M]

I done a good bit of bullet testing for accuracy on a couple 223's a AR 1-9 and Cooper (forget the twist) and Tikka. A good all around shooter is 40gr v-max it will out shoot 69gr SMK out to around 400 yards. 60gr v-max is also a very good shooting bullet perfect for fast twist barrels hunting coyote. For paper it's hard to beat the 52gr SMK if your shooting under 400 yards flat base bullets from my small testing held a slight edge over boat tales. If your wanting to go cheap and get good accuracy 200 yards or so some of the non plastic tip bullets flat base from speer, hornady, seierra, etc will work good...stay away from bulk fmj military type if your goal is accuracy otherwise purchasing quantity military type will be some fun shooting. I like Sierra because they are outstanding to help with any data, bullet selection etc.

I'm always deciding now if loading for coyote 60gr v-max or 40gr v-max. I could tell no difference with 1-9 twist or 1-12/14 (slow vs fast) in bullet accuracy of the lighter 40gr-53gr bullets, the fast twist shot the lighter weight bullets just as good.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Thanks so far for the input. I figure for cheap I'll mess with the 55 fmj i already have thousands of. I want something a little more accurate to shoot with when i want it though. are hollow points better for accuracy than fmj, and fmj-bt? seems all of the bullets listed so far are ballistic tip or hollow point. why is that?

 

[243winxb]

The base of the bullet is most important. The FMJ is not formed like the BT or HP bullets.

 

[Clint M]

It seems the new plastic tip is the old hollow point. Most hollow points are match or varmint, most soft point are hunting type that's just general all the manufactures give a very good info guide on their bullets.

For accuracy you have gotten great answers, but in the end you will have to test your gun to see what it likes. I will say I have yet to meet a good shooter that does not shoot the 40gr v-max.

 

[rcmodel]

why is that?

Because the jacket hole is in the nose where it doesn't matter.

Instead of in the base like a FMJ where it does matter, because they can't be made evenly.
So they leave the muzzle crown wobbling instead of in balance and flying right.

Here is the difference.
55 grain Win FMJ-BT vis Plastic tip Nosler Ballistic Tip.
Same load, same rifle, same day, same bench setting.

rc

 

[32_d3gr33s]

ahh, that makes sense. Most of my reloading at this point has been for volume, not for accuracy. This will definitely be a fun new adventure.

Couple side questions...
I do most of my loading on a Pro 2000, but i do have a lee reloader single stage I got for swaging and decapping. The press doesnt seem to cam over because of the design. Will this be ok to use for loading the 223? Ive been looking at upgrading to a better single stage, but didnt know if it would be worth it.

Ive never loaded for a bolt action before. Ive got the full length 223 dies, should i order a neck sizing die for 223 and use that for bolt? I have about 200 brand new cases ive been saving for when i got a bolt gun.

And, we just got about 2 feet of snow this morning, so it looks as though ill be waiting a little bit before i try shooting it....

 

[Dudedog]

Check Rocky Moutain Reloading.
They sometimes have good prices on pulled .223 bullets.
Currently have soom Federal Fusions

 

[rcmodel]

Pulled bullets are fine for plinking & blasting beer cans.

But, you have to decide if you want to load the cheapest ammo you can load?

Or the most accurate ammo you can load.

If accuracy is more important then price?
You have to buy the best bullets you can find.

rc

 

[Clint M]

Single stage press will be perfect to start loading 223 for accuracy. Cam over is a crock if your press will allow you to touch the base of die to shell holder you will have everything you need in a press. You are starting with a very easy to load for cartridge with loads of data. You can get once fired LC brass which is outstanding quality for accuracy priced cheap. Bullet selection for .224 can't be matched by any other caliber...

Pick a reasonable powder from manufacture load data, try a couple of bullets in 40,50,60 gr (I like varmint plastic tip) or what will work in your twist for your desired results.

 

[spitballer]

Effective shooting at longer ranges may necessitate harder bullets. I suspect that Sierra Game King bullets may handle higher pressures like the FMJ's do but that's only speculation at this point. They have a 55 grain HP I've been meaning to try as well as the 63 grainer, which is about as high as I can go with my 12" twist. Maybe I'm overly cautious but I try not to push bullets to the point where they start leaving a lot of copper fouling in the barrel, and a lot of the varmint bullets I've tried tend to be soft in this regard.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

New questions

Well, i got my new stuff in the mail today, so I'm going to start testing different weights when i get a chance. Im not sure what would be the best way to start comparing the different bullet weights i picked up. I have my 55gr fmj, that i used to sight in the gun, so i know how those group. I picked up 3 other bullet weights to see what performs the best. All 3 are the same bullet, just different weights. (Hornady Match BTHP's, in 52 gr, 68 gr, and 75 gr.)

What would be your approach to loading and testing these against each other? Normally I load up 5 rounds and increase the powder charge a couple tenths between each 5. But that's all with the same bullet out of semi-auto guns. should i work up each bullet individually, then compare the best performing charge weight out of each bullet weight?

Thanks!

 

[243winxb]

working up a load for 223 bolt action.

Each bullet individually, after finding the OAL that feeds and fits the magazine, without jamming into the rifling. I like the full diameter of the bullet at the neck shoulder junction, if possible. But cant be done with most above 55gr. Using IMR powders i start with one powder, 4198 then 4895, 3031, 4064. Increase the powder charge 1/2 gr at a time. Lots of shooting with 5 shot groups. Dont forget the wind flags.