Beginner's Q: Bullet Weight?

[pratchett]

On an 18" barrel with a 1:7 twist from an AR-15 in .223 Wylde, what specific bullet weight should I choose?

It seems like that's the choice that would make pinning down an accurate load terribly difficult. I'd figure a couple of different brass manufacturers (Fedremchester), a few brands of primers, and a few brands of commonly stocket bullets, but that bullet weight part of the equation just adds too much to think about. Or does it?

Thanks for helping a beginner!

[22popnsplat]

The fast twist of the barrel suggests the use of heavy (longer) bullets for the caliber , in reality there is no way to tell for sure . It depends on chamber dimensions . I like a starting point of the bullet seated to the base of the neck of the cartridge and at the same time being about .030 off the lands but here you may find yourself limited by magazine length
You can use up the life of a barrel in .223 trying different combonations looking for the most accurate load but the .223 is usually real easy to find a resonably accurate load for.

[bruceflinch]

Sounds like the standard 55 gr bullet will work..

[00BuckShot]

55gr will work in a 1:7 barrel but that fast twist is better suited for 62+grain bullet. Cool thing about reloading is testing it all out and finding what works for you. Have fun!

[Chemtchr]

My most accurate loads so far have been 69 grain Sierra Match Kings with either Varget or TAC. Hornady 55 grain FMJBT is a nice bullet but the SMK's edge them out.

[krzgoat]

Might see about a 77 SMK HPBT for that length and twist. I have a 16" with 1:7 and it loves the 77 SMK HPBT.

[pratchett]

So I'm thinking either 69 or 77. Will 80 work in the AR, or is it too long?

[Fjold]

Choose your bullet by what you want to do with it. If you want to plink get 55 grains. If you want to shoot 100-300 yard targets shoot the 68 grain match bullets. If you want to shoot 600 yards get the 70-80 grain match bullets. Further than that get the 90+ grain bullets but you will probably have to single load the heavy bullets as they might not fit in the magazine.

[pratchett]

That's exactly what I was talking about. I do NOT want to single load.

[krzgoat]

Haven't tried the 69gr but the 77SMK work fine in my AR. I imagine the 69gr would be the same. The only ones I have tried that did not work with my AR are the Hornday 75gr A Max. They had to be seated too far back to get the proper length.

I'd recommend picking up 100 77gr SMK and giving them a try.

[Linus]

77gr SMK or the 77gr Noslers are great choices and both can be seated to magazine length.

[pratchett]

Right on. Thanks all of you for your help!

New question, new thread.