Recommendations for good balance of price/accuracy for .223 ammo for 20" 1:7 barrel

[shark92651]

I want to see what kind of accuracy my new CMMG 20" 1:7 upper is capable of. What would you recommend as the best ammo to use to try some accuracy groups (I don't currently reload)? What would be some recommendations for "the best" and what would be a good compromise that is not too expensive (I know it is all "too expensive" lately :rolleyes:)

[ocabj]

Factory commerical ammo?

Black Hills 75 BTHP or 77 BTHP. Blue box is less expensive than red box because they are remanufactured (factory reloads), but I have noticed that the quality of the BH blue box is taking a slide. I was given a box and the brass was poorly sized (wouldn't chamber properly in a Wylde). At the last WEGC HP match, my friend was shooting some blue box 77gr for the rapid fire stages because he didn't have time to reload any short line ammo. Two rounds out of the 20 in his sitting string, IIRC, formed a cracked ring in the brass for an imminent head separation. I actually have those two cases in the garage for a write up I plan on doing regarding case prep / checking for pressure issues in the reloading process.

[thmpr]

You may want to try 68 or 69 Grains as well. But for best results, the BH 77 grains as ocabj suggested would be the best way to go. If cost is the gating factor, the 55 grains would work fine at 100 yards. The grouping may noy be most ideal but it will show what it can do with cheap ammo.

[Jicko]

+1 on BHA 77gr (SMK HPBT, similar to military MK262 ammo)

But stocks are pretty low these days....

Midway have *some*.... per 50rounds
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?CurrentSort=manufacturer_a&CurrentCountRet=2000&CurrentManufacture=1339&CategoryString=653***690***&CategoryID=7519&BrandID=&page=1&KeyWord=&TabID=3&company_select=1339&search_keywords2=77&sort1=manufacturer_a&PageSelect=1&RecordsReturned=2000&Click+to+Begin+Refined+Search224.x=20&Click+to+Begin+Refined+Search224.y=15

77gr RegHPBT BLUE (remanuf) $29ish *out of stock*
77gr MolyHPBT BLUE (remanuf) $30ish *in stock*
77gr RegHPBT RED (new) $39ish *in stock*
77gr MolyHPBT RED (new) $41ish *in stock*

These are sub-MOA ammo, and is *perfect* for your 1:7 barrel.

For today's standard, these are not "too expensive"....

I want to see what kind of accuracy my new CMMG 20" 1:7 upper is capable of.

Especially for your purpose of wanting to "see" what your upper is capable of, at least get a box of the "77gr RegHPBT RED" to try it out.

BTW, I think you should shy away from those Moly coated ones.

[R_P_Rizzo]

I have shot Black Hills Blue 55/68/75/77gr ammo and find it to be excellent. I, however, also agree with ocabj's comments on recent quality. I have measured cases to reload and found them to be around 1.778. I thought the max case length was supposed to be 1.760. I have checked and found the > 1.7 case length on current boxed rounds. Chambering has not been a problem, in a Fulton Predator, but I expect to trim them to 1.750 for reload.

[Jicko]

I have shot Black Hills Blue 55/68/75/77gr ammo and find it to be excellent. I, however, also agree with ocabj's comments on recent quality. I have measured cases to reload and found them to be around 1.778. I thought the max case length was supposed to be 1.760. I have checked and found the > 1.7 case length on current boxed rounds. Chambering has not been a problem, in a Fulton Predator, but I expect to trim them to 1.750 for reload.

I think max case length of 223 IS 1.76", if you found them exceeding the spec, contact BHA... i bet they are willing to exchange you with some good ones....

[R_P_Rizzo]

Jicko,
Thanks for the suggestion. I will now need to measure the remaining 1100 rds. :eek:

[shark92651]

Sounds like BH 77 grain is the way to go. Thanks for the replies.