Sierra Hornet Bullets

[ranger341]

I'm looking for .223 bullets for reloading and, like many of you, having a hell of a time finding projectiles. I found some Sierra Hornet 45gr bullets. All I'm looking to do is kill some paper, and perhaps a watermelon or two. Nothing special. Thoughts?

[22popnsplat]

I shot those out of the hornet and they were fine , modest velocity and slow twist . If you have a fast twist 223 and push the velocity i don't know but you may be able to get the to come apart in midflight. You should call sierra and ask them

[gunboat]

As i understand it, there are two definitions to "hornet" bullets and they could overlap --
One is the diameter, older hornets used actual .223 diameter bullets as the early hornets often used 22rf barrels -
Two, "hornet" bullets have a thinner jacket to provide proper expansion at lower hornet velocites - these thinner jacketed bullets can sometimes disintegrate at higher velocity and faster twist.
Their use at hornet velocities should be fine --
Even the use of the smaller diameter bullets is acceptable.
my tuppence

[ranger341]

Here's what I'm looking at:

http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm?section=bullets&page=rifle&caliberID=2

I'm not looking to make the loads hot. Being that options are limited right now for .223 projectiles, would these would suffice for the casual shooter who takes pride in his load charges. I weight every round to the exact powder charge. The last thing I need is a bullet to fragment in my barrel. I have a 1:7 twist.

[GeoffLinder]

Those are .223 bullet diameter. An AR needs .224 bullet diameter. Do Not Use Them In A .223 or 5.56mm Rifle!

Even if they were .224 diameter and had jackets suitable for high velocity, a 1:7 barrel is too fast of a twist for this light of a bullet. At high velocity they will come apart, at lower velocities they will be over-stabilized and will probably be very inaccurate.

[ranger341]

So....with this said, I need to buy projectiles marked .224? Then what uses .223 projectiles? And why do AR rounds I buy marked as .223? I'm confused now.

[snowdog650]

So....with this said, I need to buy projectiles marked .224? Then what uses .223 projectiles? And why do AR rounds I buy marked as .223? I'm confused now.

Holy cow.

Please ...

Drop the reloading equipment ASAP ...

And do yourself a favor and buy a good reloading manual ...

And read it.

[JNunez23]

Those are .223 bullet diameter. An AR needs .224 bullet diameter. Do Not Use Them In A .223 or 5.56mm Rifle!

Even if they were .224 diameter and had jackets suitable for high velocity, a 1:7 barrel is too fast of a twist for this light of a bullet. At high velocity they will come apart, at lower velocities they will be over-stabilized and will probably be very inaccurate.

That. Just look for .224 diameter bullets from now on.

[GeoffLinder]

So....with this said, I need to buy projectiles marked .224? Then what uses .223 projectiles? And why do AR rounds I buy marked as .223? I'm confused now.

Bore diameter in .223/5.56mm is .223 across the lands, groove depth is .224 and maybe a smidge more. Bullet must be .224 in diameter to seal bore into the grooves and be engraved by the rifling. If bullet were .223 diameter, bore would not be sealed by bullet and gas would blow by in the grooves.

.223 diameter bullets are for .222 caliber rifles etc...

All bullets must be just slightly over bore size, bore size is diameter inside the lands, not inside the grooves of the rifling. This way bore seals behind bullet.

The caliber itself is called .223 because all calibers are noted for their bore size, capiche?

Now I suggest that maybe you ought to read a loading manual cover to cover.

[ranger341]

Bore diameter in .223/5.56mm is .223 across the lands, groove depth is .224 and maybe a smidge more. Bullet must be .224 in diameter to seal bore into the grooves and be engraved by the rifling. If bullet were .223 diameter, bore would not be sealed by bullet and gas would blow by in the grooves.

.223 diameter bullets are for .222 caliber rifles etc...

All bullets must be just slightly over bore size, bore size is diameter inside the lands, not inside the grooves of the rifling. This way bore seals behind bullet.

The caliber itself is called .223 because all calibers are noted for their bore size, capiche?

Now I suggest that maybe you ought to read a loading manual cover to cover.

Thanks for the constructive feedback.

[GeoffLinder]

Thanks for the constructive feedback.

You are welcome :-)

Please be careful out there!

[gunboat]

.223 diameter bullets can perform quite well in .224 bores --
There was an article a few years ago in Handloader by Ken waters comparing performance of .223 and .224 bullets in several different .22 cal rifles --

Ranger do not fret about the confusing cartridge names and bullet diameters.
There are a multitude of confusing and non-logical cartridge names and bullet diameters.
38/40 for example, not a 38 cal but a .40 caliber just for starters --
Oh, if you want to shoot cast bullets in your 223, you will want .225 diameter bullets

[GeoffLinder]

.223 diameter bullets can perform quite well in .224 bores --
There was an article a few years ago in Handloader by Ken waters comparing performance of .223 and .224 bullets in several different .22 cal rifles --

Ranger do not fret about the confusing cartridge names and bullet diameters.
There are a multitude of confusing and non-logical cartridge names and bullet diameters.
38/40 for example, not a 38 cal but a .40 caliber just for starters --
Oh, if you want to shoot cast bullets in your 223, you will want .225 diameter bullets

.225, I can see someones head exploding right about now LOL

But seriously, .223 diameter bullets in a .223 bore could also have a consequence if not properly handled and tested. First, you have to size the case neck to hold them properly, maybe more crimp, maybe smaller expander ball. Then you have to make sure you use a fast enough powder to actually get them moving quickly with a snappy kick in the pants or they won't obdurate properly as they get stuffed into the lands. If they don't obdurate enuff and fill rifling groves properly there will be a lot of blow by. If too much blow by, they could fail to exit bore, fire another without clearing bore and you have a kaboom.

Not a highly likely scenario, but a potentially possible one!

[ar15barrels]

Bore diameter in .223/5.56mm is .223 across the lands, groove depth is .224 and maybe a smidge more.

Incorrect.
Bore diameter is 0.218"
Groove diameter is 0.224"
Groove depth is 0.003"

[gunboat]

geoff -- you are overthinking this -- It is just not a problem --