Need Help for 223 Bullets Selection

WVBartMan · May 12th, 2009, 10:20 PM

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.

Ram Rod · May 12th, 2009, 10:37 PM

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 · May 12th, 2009, 10:58 PM

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 · May 13th, 2009, 10:32 AM

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

mcp1810 · May 13th, 2009, 12:51 PM

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 · May 13th, 2009, 01:25 PM

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 · May 13th, 2009, 06:07 PM

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

mcp1810 · May 13th, 2009, 06:52 PM

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 · May 13th, 2009, 07:18 PM

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

Beans · May 14th, 2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

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

May 12th, 2009, 10:20 PM	#1
WVBartMan Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 15	Need Help for 223 Bullets Selection 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.

May 12th, 2009, 10:37 PM	#2
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,807	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. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

May 13th, 2009, 12:51 PM	#5
mcp1810 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,098	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. __________________ Waiting on the research and verification.......

May 13th, 2009, 01:25 PM	#6
cvhoss Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,785	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 __________________ I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was Sig 239 SAS 40 S&W / Sig 239 9mm / Kahr PM-9 / Walther PPS .40 / Sig P-245 / Ruger LCP Beretta Tomcat / Walther PPK / BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 NRA Life Member My Web Site

May 13th, 2009, 06:52 PM	#8
mcp1810 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,098	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! __________________ Waiting on the research and verification.......

May 12th, 2009, 10:58 PM	#3
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,473	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.

May 13th, 2009, 10:32 AM	#4
Beans Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: AZ Territory, Border County Posts: 413	IIRC most AR-15 type rifles are being made in a 1 in 9 twist.

May 13th, 2009, 06:07 PM	#7
WVBartMan Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 15	Thanks for the help gentlemen. My Colt 6920 has a 1:7 twist so the hollowpoints may end up causing me grief.

May 13th, 2009, 07:18 PM	#9
thebigdl86 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: OK Posts: 620	I would think the original bullet you mentioned will be fine. __________________ "Anyone worth shooting, is probably worth shooting several times."

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