Bullet weight for .223 at 300 yards

[Demos]

Hi guys,
My range is expanding so we will now be able to shoot out to 300 yards. Before now, it was only a 100 yard range. I've been loading 50 or 55gr bullets in my AR (20 barrel, 1/8 twist, scoped) because they are a little cheaper than the bullets in the 60s and 70s. Is it worth switching to something heavier for only 300 yards?

Thanks,
Demos

 

[farmerboy78]

No I'd it's not worth it... the heavies are outdone by the 55gr weight due to velocity at those distances

 

[eldon519]

If you are just punching paper, I'd stick with what you've got unless you get unsatisfactory results at that range.

 

[Reloadron]

If you are content with mediocre results then shoot cheap bullets, if you want tight groups and accurate ammunition then shoot the more expensive bullets. Me? I like the better bullets and loading accurate ammunition so for me at 300 yards I am loading maybe 69 grain match kings or similar. As mentioned, if your only concern is punching paper then stick with the cheap bullets and loadings in general.

Ron

 

[eldon519]

At shorter ranges where the BC isn't as important, light cheap bullets aren't necessarily at a significant accuracy disadvantage. The bulk Hornady 55gr SPs are capable of very good accuracy and can be had for $0.08 a piece.

 

[jmr40]

Yes, you would be better off shooting heavier bullets.

Assuming you start 55 gr FMJ bullets at 3100 fps you'll be down to 2020 fps with under 500 ft lbs of energy at 300 yards and be 12.9" low with a 100 yard zero.

Switching to a 75 gr target bullet and starting them at 2850 fps you'll still be over 2200 fps and about 850 ft lbs of energy at 300 yards and still be the same 12.9" low. It will most likely be much more accurate too.

I used BC's for Hornady bullets BTW.

Around 200-250 yards is the point where heavier, more aerodynamic bullets start paying off. Once you get past 300 yards it is no contest.

 

[farmerboy78]

Yes, you would be better off shooting heavier bullets.

Assuming you start 55 gr FMJ bullets at 3100 fps you'll be down to 2020 fps with under 500 ft lbs of energy at 300 yards and be 12.9" low with a 100 yard zero.

Switching to a 75 gr target bullet and starting them at 2850 fps you'll still be over 2200 fps and about 850 ft lbs of energy at 300 yards and still be the same 12.9" low. It will most likely be much more accurate too.

I used BC's for Hornady bullets BTW.

Around 200-250 yards is the point where heavier, more aerodynamic bullets start paying off. Once you get past 300 yards it is no contest.

Well unless you're loading past specs or using a 30" barrel you won't see 2850 from a 75gr... would be more like 2600-2700... stick with your light bullets

 

[Reloadron]

Actually the Hornady 9th Edition, page 160 covering 5.56 MM NATO loadings for 75 and 80 grain bullets has several loads getting up around 2800 FPS and above. Test rifle was a Bushmaster XM15-E25 20" Barrel with a 1:7 twist. The 68 grain bullets get up around 2900 to 3000 FPS on page 159. Again these show as 5.56MM NATO loadings and not specific as 223 loadings. Fastest 223 loadings seem to max out for a 68 to 70 grain bullet around 2800 FPS. Again using an AR 15 test rifle.

Ron

 

[eldon519]

Just out of curiosity, what does it show the 5.56-spec 55-grain loads at? I've got an older Hornady manual, but I don't think it has the 5.56 loads in it.

 

[Reloadron]

Just out of curiosity, what does it show the 5.56-spec 55-grain loads at? I've got an older Hornady manual, but I don't think it has the 5.56 loads in it.

A few Maximum Loads around 3250 for the 55 grain GMX bullets. The 60 grain get up around 3150 Maximum.

I did not look at my other manuals so this is limited to Hornady data.

Ron

 

[Demos]

For the record, I'm shooting either 50gr Zombie Max or 55gr Varmigedon bullets now over varget. It's been giving me 5 shot groups of .75-1.25 at 100 yards. It's just for punching paper and getting a ping on steel plates. I'll probably be sticking with those loads.

Thanks
Demos

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

300 yards is perfectly easy to do with an AR-15 and 55gr bullets...I've shot my 16" Stag Arms Model 3 @ 300 yards using 55gr American Eagle ammo. Hit a 6" plate 21/30 times as fast as I could get on target. I was using an EoTech sight with no magnification.

My wife did it also and she had good results using her DPMS sportical using same optic and ammo.

55gr handloads will be more than sufficient to use. 300-600 is where the heavier match bullets will shine.

 

[JWH321]

I've been loading 55grn Hornady BTs over H335. I've been satisfied with what it does at 100 and 300 yards. without the optics I would not even be able to see the target at 300 yards.

As an experiment I sprung for some Sierra Match Kings (69 grn). They sure look like quality stuff. But, I am just an average shot. I really couldn't tell the difference between the two bullets. Perhaps if I had a match grade barrel and trigger it might make a difference for me. But I have a plain old Faxon 16 inch carbine barrel, 1-8 twist and a plain old mil-spec trigger (polished a bit). 55 grn gives me as much accuracy as my gun and I are capable of.

 

[d2wing]

It also depend on the twist rate of the barrel and what your rifle shoots best. My gun seems to like 55-67 grain bullets depending on upper.

 

[David4516]

I've been loading 55grn Hornady BTs over H335

Same here. They shoot fine for me at 175 yards (longest distance I've attempted thus far) I'm sure they'd be good at 300 too.

I think the more important questions are, what are you using for sights (Irons vs Optics) and at what distance have you zeroed the rifle?

I'm shooting with irons and I zeroed at 50 yards (50 yard zero is pretty much dead on again at 200 yards, a little low at 300, at least according to ballistics calculator)

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Don't forget that you would need a barrel with a different twist rate to shoot the heavier bullets. If you just want to have fun and hear a ping at 300 yards you would be foolish to change what works for you.

 

[tactikel]

55 or 62-65 gr may work well in your rifle, try them when the range opens. Then try some 69 gr Sierra MatchKings. The difference should be dramatic, especially if you shoot in windy conditions. your 1:8 barrel should love them.

 

[rskent]

Then try some 69 gr Sierra MatchKings. The difference should be dramatic,

Yep, well said.

 

[agtman]

At shorter ranges where the BC isn't as important, light cheap bullets aren't necessarily at a significant accuracy disadvantage. * * *

Agree ... For a while my view was that for any accurate shooting past 200yds with the .223/5.56, you had to step up in bullet-weight to the 69/70gn-75gn-77gn OTMs.

This year we shot some coyotes out to between 225-275yds with 45gn and 55gn varmint-type JHPs, and accuracy was fine. But then I also wasn't seeking sub-MOA ragged holes on paper, just minute-of-varmint, first-round hits on fur. Also, we didn't see a lot of wind this year.

So I'd say, yeah, out to 300yds, using any quality factory or handload, the 55-grainers should be fine. Beyond 300yds, and especially where wind is an issue, I prefer heavier loads (one uses a 70gn Berger VLD, the other a 77gn OTM) and use a different rifle with a 1:7 twist. For the light varmint bullets mentioned above, I shot those in a dedicated 'yote-hunting AR with a 1:12 twist tube.

 

[HJ857]

Demos, I have an upper much like yours. For distances up to 500 yards you can split the cost difference between the bulk bullet and the premium bullet and go with the Hornaday 53 grain Vmax and get a substantial performance boost.

Look up specs on the Vmax and run ballistic numbers, you'll be surprised.

 

[ilmonster]

With a 1:8 twist barrel, 69 or 75 grain bullets should work. I shoot Hornady 75 gr. BTHP's out of my Rem 700 SPS Tac barrel that has a 1:9 twist and get sub MOA groups out to 200 yards (longest we have at our range), so heavy's could shoot quite well out of your's. Good luck!

 

[joem1945]

My AR with a SS bull barrel, 1/8 twist only like 77 grain bullets. I've tried many bullets, powder and primers for about 2 years. Range I go to only has 150 yds but the rifle will do slightly less than 1 min of angle if i do my part.

 

[lysanderxiii]

If you are content with mediocre results then shoot cheap bullets, if you want tight groups and accurate ammunition then shoot the more expensive bullets. Me? I like the better bullets and loading accurate ammunition so for me at 300 yards I am loading maybe 69 grain match kings or similar. As mentioned, if your only concern is punching paper then stick with the cheap bullets and loadings in general.

Ron

Just because they are 55 gr doesn't mean they are cheap bullets.

Smaller/lighter bullets are generally less expensive.

For example, 53 gr MatchKings are $0.22 each vs 69 gr MatchKings are $0.25 each.

$30 savings over 1000 rounds....

 

[Reloadron]

Just because they are 55 gr doesn't mean they are cheap bullets.

Smaller/lighter bullets are generally less expensive.

For example, 53 gr MatchKings are $0.22 each vs 69 gr MatchKings are $0.25 each.

$30 savings over 1000 rounds....

I never said in that quote anything to the effect that just because they are 55 grain bullets they were cheap bullets. I have shot plenty of inexpensive and expensive 55 grain bullets and also agree with those who have said at a few hundred yards it doesn't matter. While bullet weight does contribute to overall cost the big factor in my opinion is bullet quality. Anyway nowhere in my quote:

Originally Posted by Reloadron View Post
If you are content with mediocre results then shoot cheap bullets, if you want tight groups and accurate ammunition then shoot the more expensive bullets. Me? I like the better bullets and loading accurate ammunition so for me at 300 yards I am loading maybe 69 grain match kings or similar. As mentioned, if your only concern is punching paper then stick with the cheap bullets and loadings in general.

Ron

did I remotely say or suggest just because they are 55 grain bullets they are cheap bullets.

Matter of fact there was a recent thread where someone mentioned Midway was having a good blowout sale of Dogtown 50 grain FBHP bullets which are inexpensive and shoot fine. I grabbed 1,000 of them delivered for something like the mid $80 range.

Now I did mention that for me at 300 yards I like the Sierra 69 grain Match Kings and for what it is worth only in any of my 1:7 twist AR rifles. In my 1:12 bolt gun I will run with a 55 grain bullet maximum. The rifle simply will not stabilize the heavier bullets.

Ron

 

[lysanderxiii]

did I remotely say or suggest just because they are 55 grain bullets they are cheap bullets.

You may not have meant to suggest it, but you did.

Question:

I've been loading 50 or 55gr bullets...because they are a little cheaper than the bullets in the 60s and 70s. Is it worth switching to something heavier for only 300 yards?

Answer:

If you are content with mediocre results then shoot cheap bullets, if you want tight groups and accurate ammunition then shoot the more expensive bullets. Me? I like the better bullets and loading accurate ammunition