Noob .223 Ammo Questions

[jkchan83]

I've tried learning as much as possible about ammo for my new (and, first) AR15 in .223. However, I have questions about what ammo to buy. I would like to turn to the forum for guidance.

To start, this gun is primarily for plinking and SHTF. (Also because I wanted an evil, black rifle before they're all banned again. ) Please help:

1. Wolf brand ammo: yay or nay? What about their sub-brands like the Polymer-coated ammo?

2. FMJ, HP, or SP? I would like stopping power, so I am leaning towards hollow point. Also, I have read about jamming issues related to soft points and lead build-up.

3. Bullet Weight: I have a barrel with a 1:7" twist. Much of the available ammo is 55-grain, which I believe is that the extreme light end for this barrel. Should I be looking for heavier bullets?

4. Brands: I mentioned Wolf specifically since there is a LOT of debate over their ammo. However, what about other brands? Some I have heard good things about include: Black Hills, Black Hills Remanufactured, Federal, Privi Partizan, Remington, and Ultramax. What do you think about these brands?

5. Personal Recommendation: Specifically, what do you shoot and why?

Thanks in advance for all of your comments.

[Linus]

I've never fired factory ammo through my ARs but I would avoid the lighter bullets with a 1:7" twist. Try the PRVY 75gr BTHP Match for both accuracy and HD.

[Beelzy]

Any ammo the feeds is good. Stay away from exotic heavy bullets and you
will be fine.

I shoot any ammo available, except Wolf.

[pdq_wizzard]

I have a 20" 1:7 and have shoot 50GR - 68GR and everything in between out of it with good results.
The one thing I found was when you / if you get into reloading, go with lighter loads say 5% from what is listed in the books and work your way up. so far I have had two builts come apart on me before they reach the target.
kind of neat to pull out half a jacket from the wood backing.

[CHS]

1. Wolf brand ammo: yay or nay? What about their sub-brands like the Polymer-coated ammo?

It's on the lower end of quality, but today's wolf is much better than their original stuff, which was pretty much just repackaged Russian milsurp. It's not that accurate, but it's inexpensive and fun for plinking. Know the differences between steel cased ammo and brass, and you won't ever have any problems with Wolf.

2. FMJ, HP, or SP? I would like stopping power, so I am leaning towards hollow point. Also, I have read about jamming issues related to soft points and lead build-up.

The .223 bullet is effective due to its fragmenting effect. For this reason, FMJ is just fine. Controlled-expansion bullets (HP and SP) are also just fine for "stopping power". Buy something that's inexpensive enough that you can practice with it and test out it's reliability, but quality enough that you trust it.

3. Bullet Weight: I have a barrel with a 1:7" twist. Much of the available ammo is 55-grain, which I believe is that the extreme light end for this barrel. Should I be looking for heavier bullets?

The extreme light end for a 1/7 barrel is more like 40gr, and there are plenty of 40gr bullets out there strong enough to withstand the rotational velocity coming out of a 1/7 barrel. You have no reason or need to look for heavier projectiles unless you're shooting longer ranges. 55gr is just fine for 1/7 barrels.

4. Brands: I mentioned Wolf specifically since there is a LOT of debate over their ammo. However, what about other brands? Some I have heard good things about include: Black Hills, Black Hills Remanufactured, Federal, Privi Partizan, Remington, and Ultramax. What do you think about these brands?

All of the above are great brands. You won't go wrong with them.

5. Personal Recommendation: Specifically, what do you shoot and why?

I shoot. A lot. I buy quality but in bulk, so price is important to me. I have a bunch of milsurp 5.56 that functions flawlessly. I also buy bulk remanufactured ammo from Miwall or Black hills, etc.

PMC plinking ammo is great quality, and reloadable, and inexpensive.

Just buy a bunch of stuff and see how it runs through your gun. For plinking and practicing, just stick with standard 55gr stuff, as it will keep your costs down.

[jkchan83]

Thanks to everyone who has posted and to bdsmchs in particular. That is a lot of detail and information. I really appreciate it.

[MacDaddy]

This forum is the best.

[Tony Sopranno]

4. Brands: I mentioned Wolf specifically since there is a LOT of debate over their ammo. However, what about other brands? Some I have heard good things about include: Black Hills, Black Hills Remanufactured, Federal, Privi Partizan, Remington, and Ultramax. What do you think about these brands?

About two or three months ago I shot some .223 Ultramax 52gr HPs from a 1:10 twist - Tikka Lite - barrel, and the grouping was about an inch at 100 yards, discounting two fliers.

I've heard nothing but good things about Black Hills too. I ran a box or two through the Tikka and I can't complain. The brass was just fine for reloading, too.

I'd stay away from the Russian stuff. I still have some cheapo Russian ammo in another brand other than Wolf - I forget the name maybe it's "Buarell." Every time I shoot the stuff it takes me more than three times as long to clean the barrel. ...Dirty stuff - for some reason it shoots a little high and wide on me too.

If you wind up reloading your own ammo, go with clean burning powders like Hodgen H335, Varget, or Ramshot TAC. You'll see the difference right away when you get back from the range and clean your gun. If your feeling lazy that day, you can get away with pulling a bore snake soaked in Hoppe's 9 and a little Mobil One Motor Oil through in just one pass. I would never be comfortable doing that with anything other than really clean burning powders, loaded myself. I don't favor Varget for .223 though, there's not a lot of room in the .223 casing. Varget takes up a lot of space, so, you might wind up crunching it in a little. H335 and Ramshot TAC are nearly identical except for the packaging. I'd say they were the same.

Good luck. And enjoy!

[jkchan83]

If you wind up reloading your own ammo...

Thanks for the advice on avoiding the Russian stuff. It is WAY too early for me to start thinking about reloading. I have serious doubts that idea would pass the girlfriend acceptance factor.

[Tony Sopranno]

Thanks for the advice on avoiding the Russian stuff. It is WAY too early for me to start thinking about reloading. I have serious doubts that idea would pass the girlfriend acceptance factor.

I understand completely. I own two handguns, gifts from a good friend who's wife does not approve of guns at all. Get the girlfriend to the range to try shooting. ...Lots of women and young girls at the range that I occasionally use.

It's a blast!

[live2offroad]

Any ammo the feeds is good. Stay away from exotic heavy bullets and you
will be fine.

I shoot any ammo available, except Wolf.

I shoot every ammo, but mostly Wolf..

Really, it's a personal choice... Not the shooters, the rifles. Some are finicky and some are not. Mine will happily shoot anything I feed it..

-Peter

[xrMike]

It is WAY too early for me to start thinking about reloading. I have serious doubts that idea would pass the girlfriend acceptance factor.

"Girlfriend Acceptance Factor" ?????????

Not even married yet, and you're totally whipped.

You've got it backwards -- You should be asking your reloads if they find your GIRLFRIEND acceptable.

[odysseus]

"Girlfriend Acceptance Factor" ?????????

Not even married yet, and you're totally whipped.

Seriously, be who you are - you will have better relationships in the long run.

.

[Sunwolf]

Yep!

"Girlfriend Acceptance Factor" ?????????

Not even married yet, and you're totally whipped.

You've got it backwards -- You should be asking your reloads if they find your GIRLFRIEND acceptable.

Exactly!

[jkchan83]

"Girlfriend Acceptance Factor" ?????????

Not even married yet, and you're totally whipped.

You've got it backwards -- You should be asking your reloads if they find your GIRLFRIEND acceptable.

Alright, guys! Here's the deal. Let's start with the basics: we live together. Second, she's a shooter and goes to the range almost as much as I do. She's cool with me building ARs and going to gun shows. She's an NRA member, too. However, she draws the line at reloading.

Now, do you really think I'm going to screw that up by INSISTING that I be able to reload my own ammo? Give me a break! You guys wish your wives were as cool as my girlfriend.