.223 @ The STore

[sh0t1]

What's the best "Store Bought" .223 and / or 5.56 ? Not talking about your own loads... but what is the highest quality, most reliable .223 and 5.56 you can buy ?

[Trapper]

IMHO Black hills is the best .223 from a major manufacturer

[ocabj]

Probably Lapua. Their .223 loaded ammo is only available in 55gr and 69gr Scenar, though. Perhaps they'll sell .223 ammo using their 77gr bullet, which is excellent by the way (can be bought for about $200 per 1K).

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=315104

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=290993

[FMJBT]

Best for the buck is probably the Prvi Partizan 75gr Match ammo, also sold under the "Wolf Gold" name. Probably not as high quality as Lapua or Black Hills, but it goes bang every time and is easily capable of sub moa out of an accurate rifle.

[Jicko]

Federal/LC XM193

Or
BHA *red* box SMKs, best performance would be the 77SMKs....

[FreedomIsNotFree]

What...no mention of Hornady TAP in 5.56(for police)? Easily among the top 3. And just for the record, if you are shooting a 5.56 chambered rifle, 5.56 ammo is better than .223.

Here is a much deeper analysis of various types of ammo that's available...

http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=185

Okay, from best to worst:

1. Loads using the Nosler 77gr or Hornady 75gr OTM bullet. While these bullets may be slightly less accurate *in some rifles* than the Sierra MK, they offer better wounding capability. These bullets maximize terminal ballistic performance AND they extend fragmentation range over other loads, and even provide *some* fragmentation range from 10" barrels. These bullets require 1:8 or tighter twist barrels, though they may work in SOME 1:9 barrels.

- Hornady 75gr TAP (5.56 load)
- Hornady 75gr TAP or TAP-PD (.223 load)
- Black Hills loads with 75gr Hornady (.223)
- (no known factory load using the Nosler bullet) (Edit 8/13/2008 - Some availble from at least one source - Nosler custom competition)

2. Loads using the Sierra 77gr MK. Like all MK bullets, this one doesn't start to yaw until it passes through several inches of flesh, resulting in a longer "neck" area of the wound profile, and thus being rated slightly lower than the Nosler or Hornady bullets.

- Black Hills Mk262 Mod1 (5.56, cosmetic seconds are available)
- Black Hills 77gr Sierra loads (.223)
- Federal 77gr Sierra (.223)

[lostil-found]

Ditto the Fed XM193.Just got the HQ sportsmans Guide cat. today and they have a good buy on it $200=500 rds.

[Darklyte27]

Best for the buck is probably the Prvi Partizan 75gr Match ammo, also sold under the "Wolf Gold" name. Probably not as high quality as Lapua or Black Hills, but it goes bang every time and is easily capable of sub moa out of an accurate rifle.

+1 I just ordered 1k of the Prvi http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/180.php
429$ + 12$ shipping. comes to 8.82$ a box of 20. My guess this stuff will still get 1MOA