223 reloading question

G

geneinnc

Guest
Since I am getting a Dillon 550, I am looking for an all purpose bullet for my Double Star M4 Carbine 1/9" twist. The gun will wear an EOTech with Troy BUIS. This is a home defense gun and will be used a lot for practice & plinking.

I was looking at the vast array of bullets in the 55gr range and was overwhelmed. I bought a box of VMAX to start with, as it seems to shoot well in evey AR at the ranges I freguent. I also plan on getting a box of Nosler Ballistic Tips since that is by far my favorite all around bullet.

I was hoping on a suggestion for a cheaper bullet that might come close to the performance of the above 2 bullets, and not have the high price. I don't mind buying in volume after finding a lower end bullet that works.

Should I try to find a cheaper HP instead of FMJ, in case I need some SHTF ammo?

I do have some heavier bullets to try, but they might be a bit heavy for a short barrel 1/9" barrel.

I have the following:

55gr Vmax
70gr Berger VLD Match
80gr Sierra HPBT Match (pretty heavy for 1/9")

Any others I should try?

Thanks!

Gene
 
Try the Hornady 60 gr. HP; they have always shot well in my Colt AR's
 
In my "shorties" and class 3 M4's I load or buy 62 grain FMJ's. The thought behind this is that I have a huge supply of SS109 M855's for TEOTWAWKI so as long as i practice and sight in with the same bullet (basically) then my zero's hold true on my irons and ACOG's when I switch ammo. You can also pick up SS109's bullets (unloaded) at a fair price and load your own.

If you don't think that penetrator works try it on some steel!

My two cents.
 
Gene

don't know if they are still avaliable... but i have found sierra # 1365 shot the very best in my colt ar- its a 55gr soft point ... i just loaded the last 15 bullets i had left from yrs ago to try in my 700 pss.. actually i made as warm ups, not enough to make a real test....

Edit: i had 5 boxes of loaded one saved for varmints
 
You'll never get those 80s to shoot in a 1/9 twist.
Stick to the 70s, 69 SRA and 68 Hornady and lighter bullets. Give the 55gr Hornady SP a try, a lot of people have had pretty good luck with them for a cheap bullet.
 
AR Bullets

I shoot 40 grain VMax bullets out of my ARs. I use them in my 24" Varmint uppers as well as an M4. All shoot sub moa 5 shot groups at 100 yards and are quite nice to shoot. I was out yesterday with the chrono and I was measuring 3750 out of the 24" barrels. Both of them were within 10 fps average of each other.

I shoot the 40 grain VMax because my intended target is varmints. If it was just paper I would choose a more accurate bullet.

Powder: Hodgdon H4198
Primer: Wolf Small Rifle Magnum
Brass: Mixed, mostly Lake City
Bullet: 40 grain VMax
 
AR bullets

I've had my Delton AR M4 carbine (16" 1in9 barrel)for about a year.I took the handle/rear sight off and put a 3-9X Tasco on it (left the front sight on,which sticks up in front of the scope).
From the bench,it will usually group 5 shots slightly less than an inch @ 100yards with the following bullets:
1. 55 gr Hornady FMJWC bulk bullets - About $8-$9/100
2. 55 Win Spitzer SP bulk bullets - don't know what the current price is.Had a big inventory.
3. 52 gr Speer HP - current price ??? - had 2K of these for my Swifts
4. Sierra #1350 varminter - not cheap

I also tried the 62 gr Armscor bulk bullets,but they don't group as well as the Hornady.
For the AR,I prefer a bullet with a cannelure.
I've also tested some Black Hills 75 Gr. Heavy Match HP,in this gun and they also grouped about one MOA.
One point to remember is that,at 73 I can't shoot like you youngsters.Also,I've still got the stock trigger on this gun and it has a lot of creep.
 
home defense

if this is your goal the nosler 40gr ballistic tip is a known 1 shot man stopper, just like the 125 gr hollow point in 357 mag. most of the heavy bullets you and others mentioned will go thru a torso without opening much and penetrate building materials jepordizing your neighbors lives if you live in an urban setting. dont mindlessly choose a bullet for home defense, know what it will do!! it could save you or your loved ones, but dont harm your neighbors in the process.

the eotech sight is great for close range work in dim lit conditions too. if you have a piccitinny rail think of the crimson trace laser as a fore grip on the AR platform too.

best of luck and lets pray you never have to use it fot home defense but be well prepared in case.

Fred
 
Gene

.. got around to look for them notes...
these should give you good groups, when i get a good day i'll send some 53 & 55 grn loads... waiting for a good day for a 2nd test

.223 __ 700 pss 1~9 26" hb
berger 70gr vld 24.8 /W748 7 1/2 rem col 1.910__ also,varget/ 25.5

sierra 77gr #1477 748/24.8 7 1/2 rem col 1980
__________
didn't look for your .243 quest-threads so i thought i mite as well add them here..
.243 __ 700 vls 26" hb 1~9.25
berger 95 vld imr 4350/ 43.8 col 2.160 wlr cases al trimed neck sized

sierra 85bg #1530 imr 4064/ 38.8 col 2.285 wlr

sierra 75gr #1510 [fb] imr 3031/ 36.2 col 2.264 wlr

damm )chill( out the garge didn't send to much time looking.. but these came out my range notes.. hope ya some luck with these ... they may be sticken far out an a little hot.. you know the rules..

Happy New Year everyone :)
 
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