Bullets for reloading .223

KyleFarnham · Jul 27, 2011

Soo... Been loading 9mm for a months and now I am adding .223 to my skills.

...but after reading a few articles and my reloading manual I had a few questions.
The manual mentions that the 223 cartridge was designed for barrels with 1-12" and 1-14" twist and that 40-55gr bullets work best for them. It also says that using a heavier bullet 70-80gr is best suited for a 1-7" or 1-8" barrel.

I have an Armalite m-15 with a 1-9" twist and 16" barrel. (and soon to have a Titan compensator :lol

Which bullet should I be looking at? (I am using Varget powder.)
This rifle is mainly used for plinking and the occasional competition. I have been using factory 55gr up until now.

technetium-99m · Jul 27, 2011

Ditch Varget for AA2230 and shoot 55gr FMJ's (Hornady and Montana Gold are good options).

Varget can be a pain to run through a measure and you have cheaper, more available powders for 223 blasting ammo.

55gr bullets will be just fine for hitting big arse 3gun/practical rifle plates out to 300+.

Wall · Jul 27, 2011

technetium-99m said:
Ditch Varget for AA2230 and shoot 55gr FMJ's (Hornady and Montana Gold are good options).

Varget can be a pain to run through a measure and you have cheaper, more available powders for 223 blasting ammo.

55gr bullets will be just fine for hitting big arse 3gun/practical rifle plates out to 300+.

Yep, this is what I use, 2230 with 55gr FMJ's

clarkbe9980 · Jul 27, 2011

My friends, brother, and I use H335. We started with hornady bullets but swithed to the 500rd packs at H&H and they have been just as accurate. We get under 1" groups at 100 out of our Stags and M&Ps. Right now we are speniding ~$0.33 a round. We are about to switch to the jugs of powder and buy bullets in bulk to cut the price down more.

scooterj · Jul 27, 2011

1/4" groups out of my 1-9" Bushmaster with H335 and Midway Dogstown or Montana Gold 55gr bullets.

KyleFarnham · Jul 27, 2011

Thanks for the info.
I got 100 55gr Sierra bullets to try out. Glad to see I have the right weight.
I only bought a 1lb can of Varget, I so I might check out the H335 and AA2230 when that is gone.

clarkbe9980 · Jul 27, 2011

I use Varget for my .308 and .270. I tried it in the .223 but since it is an extruded powder im pretty sure it is a compressed load. I just like H335 better and it seems to work good for everyone.