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.223 Bullet Selection
 Moderated by: Slingshot, Rockydog, klallen, DesertMarine, -6
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 Posted: Sat Aug 8th, 2009 11:14 PM
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Detachment Charlie
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Joined: Sat Aug 8th, 2009
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Favorite type of cartridge to load?: I load everything!
My favorite chambering is:: .223 REM
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For my AR (M4gery) style rifles, I began loading bulk Winchester 55gr bullets. The best groups were OK. Moved up and went with Hornady 55gr FMJBT and accuracy improved, giving 1+" - 1-1/4" @ 100 yds. (Mixed brass, 2.25" COL, No Crimp, BenchMark or IMR3031)

The same rifles (each 1:9 twist) will shoot almost consistently at 1" with 69gr SMK.

Can I expect to improve the 55gr. results with SMKs, Nosler, Berger (never used either of these) or other bullet? :confused:

I'm retired, I've got nothin' else to do but play with this stuff. Thanx.



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 Posted: Sat Aug 8th, 2009 11:24 PM
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sdb777
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Joined: Sun Oct 16th, 2005
Location: Cabot, Arkansas USA
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The 1:9 twist is great for those 69grSMK's!  And they are magazine friendly.

Have you tried adjusting seating depths with the 55's?  How about Varget powder?

As far as the Berger's go, they normally like to be right next to the lands.  Problem with that, usually projectile will not feed from the magazine(at least in my AR).  You might consider trying some 75gr Hornady Match.....

 

Scott (24.1gr Varget 75gr Hornady) B



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 Posted: Sun Aug 9th, 2009 02:01 AM
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Rockydog
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Joined: Tue Jul 26th, 2005
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I've found one of the biggest factors in group size, even for goofing around is in sorting cases by brand at least, if not lot number. I was having a hell of a time getting my old 8mm Mauser to group less than 4 inches when I knew it was capable of 1.5" or less. Couldn't figure out what changed. Then it dawned on me that I was given some cases by a friend and I had just trimmed them and tossed them in with the others. Sorted the remainder and found out that two different brands shoot to two different places but groups for both types were better than I'd been getting. I later measured max case capacity with powder and found a couple of grains difference between the two. Different pressures different POI. RD



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