Winchester Ranger .223 64gr Power-Point

rodc13 · October 5th, 2009, 11:22 AM

Went to the gun show yesterday, and found ammunition availability and pricing was just all over the place. Some were charging ridiculous amounts, especially for .380 acp and 9mm.

I found one vendor who had some Winchester Ranger .223 64gr Power-Point RA223R2, at $15/box of 20. This seemed like a pretty good deal, compared to what else I've been seeing, both in stores and online. I bought all he had (11 boxes -- 220 rounds).

Ballistics look quite good on this particular 64gr soft point load. One chart I've seen online lists just over 3000 fps muzzle velocity. I've always been very pleased with Winchester Ranger ammo in my handguns. I expect this to be of equally high quality for use in my ARs, both for a defensive round, or possibly a hunting round for up to whitetail-size game.

Anyone have any experience with this particular cartidge?

Cuda66 · October 5th, 2009, 02:00 PM

I have a couple buddies that took deer with the standard Winchester 64gr PP last year; they said it worked quite well...

I'd be pretty confident it'd work against 2-legged problems, as well.

Just make sure your AR's like them...sometimes softpoints & AR's don't mix--feed issues.

hogdaddy · October 5th, 2009, 02:15 PM

Some LEO's carry softpoints for there AR / 55gn though ; ) H/D

Rcher · October 5th, 2009, 04:05 PM

I usually buy Federal 55gr JHP's for about .28 each. My AR is mostly used for varmint hunting so spending alot on ammo doesnt pay for me. I've heard good things about the Winchester though, its all my buddy's will use. My barrel is 1:9 twist rate and the 55gr bullets are more accurate in this twist of barrel.

Cuda66 · October 5th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogdaddy

Some LEO's carry softpoints for there AR / 55gn though ; ) H/D

Yes, they do; but (hopefully!) they've verified that they work in their AR's; just because a round works great in one rifle is no guarantee that it will work well in the next...

And, fwiw, most of the LEO's with AR's I know are using the 70+grain bullets now...

hogdaddy · October 5th, 2009, 08:01 PM

They have to quallify with what they shoot,& my brother's agency uses 55gn SP Remington ; ) H/D

rodc13 · October 6th, 2009, 12:00 PM

Thanks for the input.

I think after a checkout at the range and a good review of the zero on my AimPoint, that this will be my primary defensive round, and the one I'll keep in the bugout bag, or for the occasional hunt (although I'm not really much of a hunter any more).

I have a lot of other .223 ammo, both inexpensive practice ammo and more first-rate stuff, but, as I do with my handguns, I like to have a good supply of the best on hand, and I do trust the Winchester Ranger variety.

Ram Rod · October 6th, 2009, 07:29 PM

Thanks for the post. I might have to check this out. I don't have any soft point ammo in .223 currently. I've been into the lighter hollow point stuff for coyotes or other varmints. Interesting. At $15 per box of 20, this doesn't seem too bad compared to what PD pistol ammo is going for. Double what FMJ's are nowadays. I've never really entertained the thoughts specialty ammo for PD in my AR other than the FMJ and HP offerings. Guess I'm still stuck in the military mind where the .223/5.56 is concerned which now seems odd to me since I like to keep plenty of 7.62x39 in soft point ammo. Yep......now I've got some questions to deal with.

October 5th, 2009, 11:22 AM	#1
rodc13 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 2,701	Winchester Ranger .223 64gr Power-Point Went to the gun show yesterday, and found ammunition availability and pricing was just all over the place. Some were charging ridiculous amounts, especially for .380 acp and 9mm. I found one vendor who had some Winchester Ranger .223 64gr Power-Point RA223R2, at $15/box of 20. This seemed like a pretty good deal, compared to what else I've been seeing, both in stores and online. I bought all he had (11 boxes -- 220 rounds). Ballistics look quite good on this particular 64gr soft point load. One chart I've seen online lists just over 3000 fps muzzle velocity. I've always been very pleased with Winchester Ranger ammo in my handguns. I expect this to be of equally high quality for use in my ARs, both for a defensive round, or possibly a hunting round for up to whitetail-size game. Anyone have any experience with this particular cartidge? __________________ Cheers, Rod "We're paratroopers. We're supposed to be surrounded!" Dick Winters

October 5th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#2
Cuda66 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: minnesota Posts: 485	I have a couple buddies that took deer with the standard Winchester 64gr PP last year; they said it worked quite well... I'd be pretty confident it'd work against 2-legged problems, as well. Just make sure your AR's like them...sometimes softpoints & AR's don't mix--feed issues. __________________ One man's theology is another man's belly laugh. --RAH

October 5th, 2009, 02:15 PM	#3
hogdaddy Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N/E Florida Posts: 1,218	Some LEO's carry softpoints for there AR / 55gn though ; ) H/D __________________ WE SAY GRACE & WE SAY MAM IF YA AINT IN THE SOUTH WE DON'T GIVE A DAM / WE CAN SKIN A BUCK & RUN A TROUTE LINE & A COUNTRY BOY CAN (SURVIVE)>>HANK JR.

October 5th, 2009, 04:05 PM	#4
Rcher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montana (resident) Utah (currently) Posts: 1,092	I usually buy Federal 55gr JHP's for about .28 each. My AR is mostly used for varmint hunting so spending alot on ammo doesnt pay for me. I've heard good things about the Winchester though, its all my buddy's will use. My barrel is 1:9 twist rate and the 55gr bullets are more accurate in this twist of barrel. __________________ >>----> Keep it Concealed: *"The Element of Surprise is Far Superior than the Target of Fate".*

October 5th, 2009, 08:01 PM	#6
hogdaddy Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N/E Florida Posts: 1,218	They have to quallify with what they shoot,& my brother's agency uses 55gn SP Remington ; ) H/D __________________ WE SAY GRACE & WE SAY MAM IF YA AINT IN THE SOUTH WE DON'T GIVE A DAM / WE CAN SKIN A BUCK & RUN A TROUTE LINE & A COUNTRY BOY CAN (SURVIVE)>>HANK JR.

October 6th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#7
rodc13 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 2,701	Thanks for the input. I think after a checkout at the range and a good review of the zero on my AimPoint, that this will be my primary defensive round, and the one I'll keep in the bugout bag, or for the occasional hunt (although I'm not really much of a hunter any more). I have a lot of other .223 ammo, both inexpensive practice ammo and more first-rate stuff, but, as I do with my handguns, I like to have a good supply of the best on hand, and I do trust the Winchester Ranger variety. __________________ Cheers, Rod "We're paratroopers. We're supposed to be surrounded!" Dick Winters

October 6th, 2009, 07:29 PM	#8
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,807	Thanks for the post. I might have to check this out. I don't have any soft point ammo in .223 currently. I've been into the lighter hollow point stuff for coyotes or other varmints. Interesting. At $15 per box of 20, this doesn't seem too bad compared to what PD pistol ammo is going for. Double what FMJ's are nowadays. I've never really entertained the thoughts specialty ammo for PD in my AR other than the FMJ and HP offerings. Guess I'm still stuck in the military mind where the .223/5.56 is concerned which now seems odd to me since I like to keep plenty of 7.62x39 in soft point ammo. Yep......now I've got some questions to deal with. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

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