Which .223 (.224) bullet for AR reloading?

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BullHeadedGideon

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Hello guys & gals.


So I'm getting into reloading. I've bought a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme reloading kit. & as I'm looking to the components to use (bullets, brass, powders, primers, etc..) my head is spinning.

I even do a lot of research online; but I essentially just don't where to begin/what to research; so I just thought I'd ask here.

So, what I'm looking to accomplish is building a stockpile thru reloading that holds ammo that can serve these purposes:

1) Cheap target practice ammo.
Doesn't need to be "sniper- accurate;" but I would like it to be a little better than the average bulk stuff online.

& 2) SD/hunting ammo.
If SD & hunting ammo should be 2 different categories due to different requirements; then I'll divide things up between 3 bullet types/brands; but it seems to me that what you would want in a SD round would be the same as hunting, right? Accuracy, penetration, expansion?

But I don't like the idea of investing in many different bullet types/brands, you know? I'd like to keep it to a minimum. It seems the top 2 are Hornady & Nosler? I'd like to meet my criteria with a brand of bullet that I could find anywhere.


I've got a Palmetto State Armory 16" Mid-length, 1x7twist, nitride-barreled AR.

Thank you all in advance for your responses,

Bull.
 
I recently started loading .223. I'm still in the process of getting my workup done. I'm all most dialed in but just not quite happy yet. I've been using Hornady bullets. I also use some Hornady bullets in other applications that work well. I also give RMR a thumbs up. I don't think you can go wrong with RMR or Hornady. With some time and trials you will get there.
 
Hunting/defence could be the same or very different depending on a few factors.
1. Do you live in the city and have concerns with neighbors or out in the woods?
2. What are you hunting and at what range.

My friend uses the 62 grain federal fusions from rmr and likes them for both but hints close 1-200 yards max and has lath and plaster walls and brick on the outside so shooting a neighbor is unlikely. Paul harrel does a great series showing 223 vs home walls that's a real eye opener.
You may live in an area that forbids lead so you're required to use solids. I would not like solids in a neighborhood senero, less than FMJ. I dont know your senero to make a decent recommendation. Building ammunition for sd is highly debated and there is page after page discussing why it's good bad. The reality in the moment you shoot what is ready and the planning and decisions are made beforehand.
 
For target ammo I load a lot of 62gr FMJ from everglades ammo. These have proven to be pretty accurate projectiles and at a very reasonable price. They should do well in your 1:7 twist barrel. I also load 55 gr Hornady FMJs for plinking.

For SD/varmint bullets I like the Hornady 60 gr BTSP. This bullet is very accurate and will come apart soon after impact. I don't want pass through on a SD bullet.

For larger game were I want the bullet to have controlled expansion, good penetration and to stay together I like the Nosler 70 gr spitzer Accubond. That should also fit your 1:7 twist well.
 
AJC1 said:
Hunting/defence could be the same or very different depending on a few factors.
1. Do you live in the city and have concerns with neighbors or out in the woods?
2. What are you hunting and at what range.
Click to expand...
Yes, I currently live in a city. I plan to move to the woods as soon as possible; but I will have put together plenty of self defense ammo before I end up moving. So I guess I'll need the recipe for the "city self-defense ammo" lol.
& out where I live; we have deer & elk. I actually didn't think about it until I read your question - I don't think I will be hunting anything like deer, especially elk, with a .223 lol.

AJC1 said:
Paul harrel does a great series showing 223 vs home walls that's a real eye opener.
Click to expand...
Ok. I'll have to Googlethat. TYVM for the info.
 
Skeptic13 said:
For target ammo I load a lot of 62gr FMJ from everglades ammo. These have proven to be pretty accurate projectiles and at a very reasonable price. They should do well in your 1:7 twist barrel. I also load 55 gr Hornady FMJs for plinking.

For SD/varmint bullets I like the Hornady 60 gr BTSP. This bullet is very accurate and will come apart soon after impact. I don't want pass through on a SD bullet.

For larger game were I want the bullet to have controlled expansion, good penetration and to stay together I like the Nosler 70 gr spitzer Accubond. That should also fit your 1:7 twist well.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I really dislike the idea of pass-thru in a SD round also.
TYVM for your info & response. I'll be sure to look into everglades. This is the first I've heard of them.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
I recently started loading .223. I'm still in the process of getting my workup done. I'm all most dialed in but just not quite happy yet. I've been using Hornady bullets. I also use some Hornady bullets in other applications that work well. I also give RMR a thumbs up. I don't think you can go wrong with RMR or Hornady. With some time and trials you will get there.
Click to expand...
TYVM for the response.
Good luck with your .223 adventure.
 
If you're new to reloading the first step is to get a couple of manuals. Then all of the stuff you're looking at will make sense. Much can be learned online and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, but nothing replaces these. Once you get into actually loading, a forum (even though I think THR is one of the best on this topic) isn't a place to get your data. Only use published loads.

If I were starting out I would get 500 or 1000 pcs of once fired brass, 1000 of the cheapest FMJ's I could find and maybe 2 or 300 "defense" style projectiles. To make it simple a soft point or anything bonded that's good as you said for hunting 4 legged critters will work as well on the 2 legged variety. Of course there are tactical and other items marketed as being "better" but a soft point that expands in my opinion is what you need. Pick a flavor.

Then powder and primers, whats available at this point... I haven't bought powder or primers in a couple of years but from what I see on here it may be slim, especially if youre looking for something specific. I like H322, H335 and Varget in this round. It would be ideal to find one place for everything. This is especially true with the hazmat items if ordering online. Paying hazmat shipping more than once on a small-ish qty is foolish.

RMR is a great suggestion for the bullets.

That RCBS press will last you a lifetime, but if you're building a pile of ammo as it sounds like you're wanting, it won't be fast with the single stage. You'll probably find yourself wanting a progressive or at least to a turret if you hang with it.

Good luck.
 
In the beginning, before the internet I bought a box each of several bullet sizes ranging from 45 grain to 77 grain and found out that my AR's did not like the lighter bullets. My barrels have a 1/8 twist but they performed exceptionally with 75 grain bullets. So now all I load is the Hornady bthp superformance bullets in 75 grains. Makes it good as it simplifies matters for me. Highly accurate at 500 yards too.
 
SlowFuse said:
If you're new to reloading the first step is to get a couple of manuals. Then all of the stuff you're looking at will make sense. Much can be learned online and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, but nothing replaces these. Once you get into actually loading, a forum (even though I think THR is one of the best on this topic) isn't a place to get your data. Only use published loads.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've got a Nosler manual & Hornady manual right now. Odd, though - the Hornady doesn't have a section for 62gr projectiles in .233 or 5.56.
SlowFuse said:
Then powder and primers, whats available at this point... I haven't bought powder or primers in a couple of years but from what I see on here it may be slim, especially if youre looking for something specific. I like H322, H335 and Varget in this round. It would be ideal to find one place for everything.
Click to expand...
I know you said you haven't bought that stuff in years; but any suggestions where I might be able to find it all in order to avoid multiple shipping/hazmat charges?

TYVM for the info & response.
 
BullHeadedGideon said:
Yeah, I've got a Nosler manual & Hornady manual right now. Odd, though - the Hornady doesn't have a section for 62gr projectiles in .233 or 5.56.

I know you said you haven't bought that stuff in years; but any suggestions where I might be able to find it all in order to avoid multiple shipping/hazmat charges?

TYVM for the info & response.
Click to expand...

The bullet manufacturer manuals sometimes have less flexibility, if you have a powder in mind go to their site and look at the data.

For powder and primers I like Powder Valley and Grafs. Bullets I usually get at Midway or RMR for jacketed (I also shoot a lot of lead from Missouri bullet) but shop around if youre buying in bulk.
 

He has done a few of these and you may enjoy his content or not. I watch all his stuff.


Another series you may enjoy. He is another I watch all his videos but there is a ton of 223/556 content.
 
This is just my listing of what I've come to use:

My ARs are 1-7 and 1-8:

AR15: 3Gun match and practice: 62grn FMJ Hornady bulk, with TAC and CFR223, I've gotten then to just over 1.5 MOA with mixed brass
AR15: Coyotes, 60 grn Nosler BTs over Varget, just about 1MOA in REM brass
AR15: Target, Sierra 69 OTM over Varget

AR15, 5.56 HD load: 62grn Speer Gold Dot over TAC in Lake City brass

Rems are 1-9:

Rem M700: Coyote, 55BT over Varget .75MOA, REM Brass
Rem 700 target; Sierra 69 TMKs over Varget, just over 1/2 MOA, REM Brass also use 69 Sierra OTMs over AA2460 when I don't feel like weighing and trickling.

Rem M7: Coyote and general practice; Nosler 55BT over Varget, with WIN brass, consistently 1-1.5MOA.
 
I have a Rock River varmint rifle with an 8 twist 24 inch barrel, I have had very good results with Hornady 68gr bullets over IMR4895 powder, I use Remington 7 and a half primers.
 
BullHeadedGideon said:
any suggestions where I might be able to find it all in order to avoid multiple shipping/hazmat charges?
Click to expand...

I have been liking Midsouth Shooters Supply lately.
There’s Midway-USA, Grafs, Bruno’s, Brownells, Powder Valley...
Myriad options.
What you save in price at one, is eaten by shipping costs when compared with other suppliers, so keep that in mind.

(That makes better sense now.)
 
Last edited:
I've been looking at midsouth lately. They have alot in stock. I want to try out their Sierra 65 gr gameking, softpiont boat tail bc on this bullet is
303. Should be good for deer sized game out to 200 yds as well as sd/hd.

I've used several powders I and h 4895 as well as blc2. All have produced acceptable results from 50 gr match HP's to 68 gr match bthp. I like 50 to 55 hornandy vmax bullets, very accurate.
 
stillquietvoice said:
I want to try out their Sierra 65 gr gameking, softpiont boat tail bc on this bullet is
303. Should be good for deer sized game out to 200 yds as well as sd/hd.
Click to expand...

I've been using that bullet for several years now on small hogs and varmints. I use Varget as my main powder, but TAC has worked relly good too. The SGK works good up to about 125-150# hog. When I'm shooting at the larger ones I use my SOCOM. :)
 
So I just stopped by a local shop over here & grabbed 100 pcs of Hornady .223 brass, & 200 pcs of some 60gr Hornady SP bullets. Tomorrow, I'm gonna get a couple hundred pcs of Winchester brass & maybe a couple hundred pcs of hornady 55gr bullets.

I'm pretty excited to do my first batch of reloading.

I do still need primers & powder tho = (. I'm thinking a pound of H335 & Benchmark.

P.S. I'll respond to the posts that i haven't gotten to soon. Been busy these last couple days. I watched that first 'bullets vs walls' video.. I really enjoy watching informational videos like that.
 
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