Good 223 Options?

[robsutt]

New to reloading for 223. I just built two AR-15s.
1 - Standard 16" Carbine
2 - 20" BCM 18" Barrel 1-8 Twist Rifle Gas Length

What are some good options for bullets for each? The carbine is just a lead sprayer so looking for cheap on that one. The other I would like a little accuracy but I'm no marksman. It has 1-4x optics. Also what suggestions for powder and primers?

Thanks

[highpower790]

for the rifle with the longer barrel the best cheapest bullets are either a nosler 77hpbt or hornady 75hpbt with a stick powder .most stick powders are temp stable from one extreme to the other(hot vs cold)i use varget ,but varget is hard tto come by .try imr 4895,rl15,imr4320
as i said i use varget in a match serv upper.my load is 24.5 with either a 75 or 80gr bullet and a rem7 1/2 primer.russian primers can be used,but the standard primers are soft and require a 2gr reduction i found.russian magnum primers are harder and seem to be just as good as rem 71/2 primers and ill load those at 24.5

[Enfield47]

You will be fine with 55 gr bullets for both guns, but it all depends on what you want to do. If you want to do shooting at 200 yards or less, this will be fine for you. You could also go with a little heavier bullet if you want more distance. I have a 14.5" carbine and a 20" AR and I use 55 gr bullets with no complaints. Look for the Hornady bags of 100 55gr HPBT, they are reasonably priced and pop up about every couple of weeks. Watch the threads for availability.

Highpower's recommendations are good if you are going for longer distance and more accuracy. If this is your goal then follow what he has outlined and you will be GTG.

Powder is tough right now. I just picked up some benchmark powder recently that was a breeze to load with on my turret. If you Varget or another long grain powder, metering can be tricky. I have used IMR 4064 for .223, .303, & 7.5 Swiss and found it easiest to use a Lee dipper and trickle to the desired weight.

For primers I use CCI #41. They are a harder primer and designed for semi autos. You can use pretty much any SRP and expect good results. Buy what's available when you can.

[GeoffLinder]

For anything except high level competition a decent 55gr will be all you really need. The heavies are great for distance work at high precision, but you will be fine with 55gr for plinking at most any distance and for action type competition out to 350-400 yards.

The best 55gr bullet is the Hornady bulk 55gr FMJBT, they will provide MOA or better accuracy in most any rifle.

[robsutt]

Thanks for the advice. My next problem is finding a place with them instock. Midway and Brownells don't have any. Any help on where I can get bulk shipped? 500+ bullets, primers, etc.

[Enfield47]

Natchez has the Hornady 55gr .224s in stock regularly. Powder and primers are hit and miss, you'll need to check Powder Valley, Third Generation Shooting Supplies, etc.

[Exodus343]

New to reloading for 223. I just built two AR-15s.
1 - Standard 16" Carbine
2 - 20" BCM 18" Barrel 1-8 Twist Rifle Gas Length

What are some good options for bullets for each? The carbine is just a lead sprayer so looking for cheap on that one. The other I would like a little accuracy but I'm no marksman. It has 1-4x optics. Also what suggestions for powder and primers?

Thanks

I had good luck with ball powders (H335 ad Win 748 to be exact)
in the 1:8 twist you can push 77 grain pills all day long and be accurate because that twist rate is fast enough for heavy bullets not to mention your running an 18" barrel also

primers I've used winchester and wolf

[GeoffLinder]

Natchez and Graf & Sons usually have the Hornady bulk 55gr