Need Help for 223 Bullets Selection

[WVBartMan]

I am new at reloading and wanted to make sure I was getting the correct bullet (projectile) for reloading in my 223 (5.56) brass (gun is a M4). What I have found in stock is:

Remington Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 45 Grain Hollow Point

See link below for details:
MidwayUSA - Remington Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 45 Grain Hollow Point

I am strictly using this as a plinking round, no match shooting intended.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Ram Rod]

Your .224 diameter 45gr HP should do well for you in your rifle. Be careful with using the 5.56 brass as opposed to using the .223 brass. From what I've heard, case capacity is not actually the same with less in the military brass. I don't reload for my carbine, but I've used the .224 45gr HPs for my 22-250 among others.

[QKShooter]

Your M4 barrel probably has a 1/7 twist rate (?) - heavier bullets are usually more accurate with the faster 1 in 7 twist rate.

.45 grain is a pretty light bullet weight for a 1/7 twist.

For instance my 5.56/223 Galil has a slower 1/12 twist and it likes 45 to 54.3 grain bullets best.

[Beans]

IIRC most AR-15 type rifles are being made in a 1 in 9 twist.

[mcp1810]

Your barrel should be marked as to what the twist rate is. IIRC 1:9 generally do well with about 52-70 grain. 1:7 you want above 60 grains and the older 1:12 tend to shoot the lighter bullets well.

[cvhoss]

My DPMS upper with 1/9 twist is a one hole shooter with 45 grain bullets but my Colt H-Bar upper (1/7 twist) with that bullet looks like a shotgun target. The Colt comes into it's own with 62+ grain bullets. As QKShooter said first, whether the 45 grainers will work for you will depend mostly on your twist rate.

You may want to check Powder Valley. They may have some different weight bullets in stock.

Hoss

[WVBartMan]

Thanks for the help gentlemen. My Colt 6920 has a 1:7 twist so the hollowpoints may end up causing me grief.

[mcp1810]

If you are just plinking at soda cans at fifty yards or something like that they should be fine. As the range increases so will the spread, but like you said its not competition. Just for grins hang onto ten of them, then work up a load with something heavier and do an accuracy check at 100 yards and report back. I would love to know how a big a difference it makes!

[thebigdl86]

I would think the original bullet you mentioned will be fine.

[Beans]

My DPMS upper with 1/9 twist is a one hole shooter with 45 grain bullets but my Colt H-Bar upper (1/7 twist) with that bullet looks like a shotgun target. The Colt comes into it's own with 62+ grain bullets. As QKShooter said first, whether the 45 grainers will work for you will depend mostly on your twist rate.

My Colt H-bar with a 1-7 twist LOVES Sierra 77 gr matchkings pushed by Varget powder.

My Oly M-4 Clone with a 1-9 twist does OK with the FMJ 55 grainers, it doesn't like the Sierra 77 gr matchkings

[WVBartMan]

I reload a few and report back, thanks for the help, I really enjoy this site.

[torrejon224]

5.56 brass is fine and works well with a .223 die set, load data is available on several sites. Just remember that a 5.56 case uses less powder so as long as your careful you'll be fine. Have shot may thousands of 5.56 reloads that way.

[SHOOTER13]

The twist rate of my CAR is 1:9...and with the 5.56 barrel...it really likes the 55 and 62 grain bullets. Having said that, I've shot 75 grainers with pretty good effect too !