Author Topic: 223 ammo (Read 722 times)

chipchip · « **on:** January 19, 2005, 05:26:05 AM »

Just got a 223 rifle and I don't reload yet, so I'm looking for advice on where to start with factory ammo. What are the most accurate for a 1:12 twist. There are so many flavors out their I don't know where to start.

coyote 2 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2005, 06:18:01 AM »

Quote

What are the most accurate for a 1:12 twist. There are so many flavors out their I don't know where to start.

I am not sure what is the most accurate - But I do like Black Hills ammo and Federal ammo and have very good accuracy with it. The very best I have found for myself is Federal Premium V-Shok. But this is way out of my price range for shooting.

You need to try some different brands. Your rifle may like something that someone else's does not. Also try some different bullet weights. My AR 15 and my TC shoot ammo different - But as stated both like the Black Hills ammo.
Good luck

Donaldo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2005, 07:22:28 AM »

Chip...
Why don't you get some of the Winchester USA brand in 223. Most of us refer to it as the "white box stuff". It comes in boxes of 40 rounds, get the 45 grain JHP stuff that says, "3,600 fps". It usually runs $11.50 or $12.50 a box. It is very accurate for "cheap" ammo. It really shoots good in my 1/12 twist barrel. Not at all uncommon to get less than 1" at 100 yds. I got a 5 shot group the other day of 1.6" at 200 yards. This was from my NEF Handi Rifle. It chronographs 3,450 out of my rifle. I haven't found any other brand that shoots as good, and I haven't been able to beat it with handloads,.....yet.

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2005, 10:56:05 AM »

Save your brass -- you'll be reloading soon.

I'm an old brass scrounger from way back -- I've never owned a .223, but a young lad in my church has a NEF in .223, and he had shot up all his ammo, and his mother wasn't anxious to buy more.

I dug into my possibles chest and found a mother lode of .223 brass, which I loaded up for him. No ground hog, crow, coyote or armadillo in Izard County Arkansas is safe from him now. :wink:

Ramrod · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2005, 11:11:08 AM »

That "white box" Winchester is very accurate stuff. But for plinking, the cheapest bulk ammo you can find is usually good enough. I would stay away from the steel case stuff, though.

chipchip · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2005, 03:38:56 PM »

Thanks for the replies.
My one other question is what is the heaviest bullet a 1:12 twist will handle.

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2005, 04:05:48 PM »

chip,
I think that you'll find that 55g will be about the top end for a 1/12" twist. Although, I have seen some that would shoot a 62g fairly well. 45-50g should be ideal for a 1/12" twist.
Best,
TnNuc

Donaldo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2005, 05:49:13 PM »

Chip...
Go to Berger Bullets dot com. Their site has info on the twist they recommend for each one of their bullets. Berger is just about as good as you get in bullets.

mountainview · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2005, 07:50:44 PM »

Chip2,

55 grain is usually a good bullet to start with for most 223 rifles. As others noted, get a box or two of different ammo and head for the range. It is interesting and fun to experiment and find out what works best for your particular rig. Even better, get some quality components and get into handloading and you'll likely be able to get even better performance along with the satisfaction of rolling yer own. The 223 is a nice round to load and it is what got me started earlier in the year. Personally I never had much success with the white boxes or Black Hills in the FMJ but that is my gun, yours may well be a different animal. If you do go with the white boxes, my experience has been to stay with the Made in USA stuff since the box of Israeli made ammo I got was way too hot.

Safe shooting.

pastorp · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2005, 03:55:09 PM »

Chip, My CZ527 is a 1-12 twist and shoots the winchester white box 45gr hp the best of any factory load I've tried. 55 gr is about tops for my barrel.
Remember you need to break that barrel in if it is a new rifle before expecting top accuracy. Buy a box of every brand of am and weight of bullet and try them all. At first just shoot a few rounds mabe 5 and clean the barrel. Don't over heat your barrel. After 50 rds clean after every 10 rounds. After about 100 rounds your barrel should be broken in enought to shoot for group size. Then pick the load it shoots best, buy a bunch and enjoy. Regards Byron