Your thoughts on bullets for 223

[Sin City Shootist]

Just got my new AR15 up and running this weekend, and I'm looking for choices for pills. 7 twist 16", the gun only has two purposes, 1, paper at short range and 2, killing things at short ranges. I'm looking for a bullet for this gun that is effective at both and I can buy in volume. I will also take some powder recommendation for said bullet if you don't mind. Right now I have on hand, Varget, RE-15, IMR4064, H4895, Hybrid100v, H4350, W780 supreme, I may have RE-17.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

I feel left out

I was considering Nosler 69gr HPBT or maybe just a bit heavier. Can you AR guys chime in? Like I said close range paper and say varmint(200 yards or less).

 

[simon_rook]

I like Nosler custom competition 69 gr hollow point over Varget

 

[W.E.G.]

75-grain PRVI match bullets are accurate and affordable.

I've shot a bunch of 'em.

http://wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8438

 

[wanderinwalker]

The Nosler 69gr HPBT over Varget, Reloder 15 or H4895 works well. (Yes, I've tried that bullet with all three powders, plus W748. Don't bother with 748 for bullets over 60gr, very temperature sensitive when running much over mid-level loads. It's fine with the 52 and 55gr bullets though.)

Also good is the 77gr Nosler HPBT. I haven't tried the 68 or 75gr Hornady's, but they have a large following and shoot well. And you can't forget Sierra's Matchkings either.

The one bullet I want to try when I have a non-competition .223 is the 64gr Winchester Power Point. It's marketed as a medium-game level bullet (it would be 100% legal to use hunting whitetail here in NH). And again you can't forget Sierra, who makes a 65gr Gameking that should have the famous Sierra accuracy.

Oh, and I know a number of shooters using the 75gr PRVI bullets W.E.G. posted the link for. They shoot well also, though a couple of the users seem to question their (the bullets) accuracy at 300 yards from time to time.

Does that help get you started?

For powders, stick with your Varget, Reloder 15 and H4895. I'm on the fence between Varget and RL-15. Varget burns cleaner for me and is an emotional favorite because I've been using it so long, but RL-15 will do everything Varget will do in .223. H4895 works well at a couple of grains less charge weight as another option.

 

[rg1]

For your purposes and for a bullet that can be found in bulk, I'd choose Hornady's 55 grain Spire Point. Good bullet and usually accurate in most AR's and not expensive. The Hornady 55 fmj bullet is also a good choice but the spire point would be better for varmints or predators. Here's one place with them in bulk and some other suppliers sell in bulk also. They will do fine in the 1/7 twist. For powder I'd recommend Hodgdon H335 at 24.5-25.3 grains. I use Remington 7 1/2 primers for my AR's.
http://www.precisionreloading.com/m...&Store_Code=PRE&Category_Code=BULL_HRNDY_BULK
For up to deer sized game, I also would recommend Winchesters 64 grain power point. For them I've only loaded Winchester 748 powder using Winchester's data.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

75-grain PRVI match bullets are accurate and affordable.

YES!!! My Steven's Model 200 LOVES them!

 

[Sin City Shootist]

Thanks guys, I'll try some of those Prvi's out and see how they do.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a fan of the 55gr bullet in the 223. It will kill paper as well as 2 and 4 leg varmints.

If you're looking Retail Midway USA has their name brand Dogtown bullets at a fairly good price. Their 55gr Dogtown bullets will run you $59.39/500 right now on sale.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=939269531

If you want something extremely accurate for paper there's nothing like Sierra MatchKing bullets but they are far from inexpensive.

If you are willing to buy Surplus there are options available. Widener's is a great place to shop online. They have a good supply of Bulk Bullets available. I'm sure you will find something you like considering they have 50gr, 55gr, 62gr, 69gr and 75gr .224" bullets. Their surplus bullets are as low as $39/500.

 

[Grumulkin]

I like Nosler 77 grain BTHP match bullets which I buy as seconds. For powder, I use RL-15.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

Thanks ArchAngelCD, much appreciated. How do you suppose those 55gr will behave in a 7 twist barrel? I wonder if those would be a bit on the light side with a twist that fast. I run SMK's in both my 308 and my 243 but those guns were meant to perform at long distances but this is a short barrel, so I'm not looking for 1/2" groups at 400 yards, simply not going to happen. Those Prvi's look good and I'm going to take a peak at the dogtown's in just a few minutes.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

I like Nosler 77 grain BTHP match bullets which I buy as seconds. For powder, I use RL-15.

Yeah, I like RE-15 too. My shopping cart at powder valley has 10lb sitting in it ready for me to hit that checkout button.

 

[Cop Bob]

Each gun seems to have it's own preferences.. I would get several, and try several different powder loads and bullet combination's.. I would think that with 1/7 you would be in the 62gr bullet range for openers or heavier... powders, it is a matter of preference.. Varget lately has been working very well for me.. the amount... you will have to ask your gun...

Not meaning to sound aloof, but it is the truth... but i am one of those freaks that feels that accuracy is everything... 2 tenths of a grain, or 5 thousands of an inch either way in seating depth can change it all..

 

[kludge]

H4895 is a good versatile powder for .223 in various bullet weights. H4198 for lighter stuff (45-55gr) and Varget for heavier stuff (68gr+).

Midway USA has/had blemished 55gr FMJBT bullets for sale as of last week.. Real cheap in bulk and good bullets too (Hornady). Maybe too light for a 7 twist, but cheap.

Search "blemished" to see if there are any left.

 

[ssyoumans]

I'd go with the Midsouth shooter's 55gr Varmint Nightmare Extreme SP or HP. These are the same, but much cheaper than the Dogtown's from Midway. Rumor is that the Extremes are Noslers and the regular ones are Hornady. At $46/500 you won't find a better <200 yard bullet for paper and varmints for the money.

These work fine in 1:7" and don't blow apart, especially at 16" AR speeds (<3100 fps).

223 isn't picky, I've loaded them with Varget, 2230, W748, BLC-2, TAC from 2700-3050fps. I like the precise and easy metering of the ball powders over Varget or H4895 you listed. They are very accurate and better (and cheaper) than FMJBT.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

Thanks guys. I think I'll pick up a box of complete 55's to see how they shoot before I buy a couple thousand bare bullets.

 

[kingmt]

"the gun only has two purposes, 1, paper at short range and 2, killing things at short ranges."

What is short ranges to you? I would call anything under 200yds a short range but if you mean 50yds then that is two very different questions.

 

[longdayjake]

Well, I would like to put in a shameless plug for the bullets that I sell. Its hard to beat these prices for bulk shooting and right now I have some 62 grain federal fusion soft points for an awesome price. They would be perfect for hunting. http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/category.sc?categoryId=7

 

[Sin City Shootist]

kingmt see post #2

 

[kingmt]

I don't shoot a AR or a 1in7" but for my gun I really like the V-Max bullets. There not what I would call cheap but there not high priced ether. I have used some pull down stuff @ 100yds but there no tack drivers by any standard but would "kill things" @ 200yds.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

Lol longdayjake, you and I posted at the same time and I completely missed your post. Ya, I've bought from you before, 40 and 45 pistol, good stuff. I bought 1200 live rounds of the IMI 855 stuff because I needed some bulk to shoot. This is a new gun and I'm still working out some feeding issues but I think I've got that taken care of. I'm going to sight her in this weekend(irons, monday the eotech comes in Monday) and see how that bulk stuff shoots, gotta find what it likes before I do a bulk order. But thanks for reminding me about your stuff. I've got a big order of stuff ready to go and if you're comparable in price, I'll shoot the business your way.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Actually, it's not the bullet weight but the bullet length that's effected by the faster twist rate. BUT, those 55gr Dog Town bullet do look a little short so you might have a problem with over-stabilization. I think buying a box of 55gr bullet to try out is a good idea. A 1/7 twist is very aggressive and a longer/heavier bullet might be a good idea but it won't hurt to try. I know the Dog Town bullets will work in a AR with a 1/8 twist (I think it's 1/8) because a friend used them all the time. My bolt action .223 has a 1/12 twist so I need to worry more about going too long and heavy with the bullets more than anything else...

 

[Sport45]

the gun only has two purposes, 1, paper at short range and 2, killing things at short ranges.

At short range I don't think you'll see much difference no matter what bullet you load in the thing. If we knew what you're trying to kill we could make better suggestions. A 55gr or 62gr FMJ can kill just about anything, but it might not be best for your purpose.

 

[wingman]

If you looking for accuracy only I prefer the 52 grain match, Berger, Hornady,
sierra, all my 223's shoot those best however I have the 1/9 twist.
Reloader 7 with 52gr sierra match works best in my AR. Check out Sierra's
website for loads they work for me.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

If we knew what you're trying to kill we could make better suggestions.

If I told you what the target was, it might get the thread closed. Let call this a close quarter combat gun. I hope that is enough info. I hope to never ever need it for that purpose but you never can tell in this crazy mixed up world we live in now.