.223 vs. 5.56

[mwebster22]

Just bought a Weatherby submoa varmint 223 bolt, 12 twist. Shot a box of most locally available 55gr fmj through it. At 200 yds, no groups less than 5 inches. Shot federal ballistic 55gr and got less than 2" at 200yds, but is too expensive for me. I've found privi partizan marked 223 / 5.56 in 55 and 62 gr. I'd like to try it but read on here about the potential pressure issues and warnings not to use it,although they didn't look too discouraging). Has anyone used it in similar rifles, and if so did you have any problems? What would it do wrong?

Thanks for the help in advance...

 

[Mudcat]

You aint getting sub MOA out of 55FMJ cause the standard rule of "garbarge in, garbage out" applies to rifles too. Sorry, but if you want to play the subMOA game, you gotta shoot subMOA ammo. If you dont reload, you might want to look at starting. Its a fun way to make great ammo at reduced costs.

The privi stuff is OK, but its still not going to do what you expect it to do. You know the rule, you cant polish a turd. Shoot turds, expect turd groups.

As for the 223/5.56 thing, about any commercial ammo you buy is going to work fine in that rifle, functionally, but if you want to shoot subMOA, which most of us do, you are gonna have to break bad and cough up some $$ for the right commerical ammo, or save some serious coin and roll your own. You can get some Nosler 2nds, run them on a Dillon 650 at a rate of about 600 an hour, using cheap ball powder and once fired brass and it will shoot as good or better than the Fed Ballistic stuff.

Again, not trying to be harsh or a smarty marty, but you will find that most of us on here, at least those of us that shoot competively, arent going to "know" much about factory ammo as we shoot too much to afford to buy factory and we expect more out of ammo and tailor it to our rifles.

Get some Black Hills remanufactured with some 52 or 53 grs SMKs and try those if you have to stick with factory stuff. Your 12 twist is going to limit you to bullet weight too...dont have a slow twister, but I am thinking that your talking nothing even as high as a 69gr SMK in that, but one of the other guys will know for sure on that one.

John

 

[mwebster22]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, was thinking I need to get into reloading, but didn't want to sink in too deep at least not yet. I assume though that it would pay off over time...

Would the Black Hills 52gr match hollow point fit the bill? Its all that I can find,everybody seems to be out). Do you know of some good supply sources,this was at Midway).

Thanks again.

 

[Mudcat]

Yes, BH 52gr SMKs will probably shoot great out of that rifle. You got a good rifle, so feed it good ammo and it will show you good results...if you do your part.

Reloading isnt just about saving money, though you will recoup your equipment purchase $$ really quick, especially when you are loading match grade ammo. And, the really cool thing about reloading, is that is FUN! I enjoy shooting the ammo more than making it, but making the ammo is almost as fun. its an enjoyable hobby in itself.

And, if you dont like reloading, most equipment can be sold for close to what you have in it.

John

 

[CooperNV]

If you can find the Winchester white box 40 count 45gr hollow points have been shooting good,sub moa in our 2 tikka t3 lites. Also ultra max 52grHP's. They shoot really good in my AR with an 8 twist.,go figure?)Neither of these will compete with home spun loads but both are at reasonable prices for over the counter. Hope that will help get you by.

 

[mwebster22]

Found and ordered some blackhills today to try:
40gr Vmax
50gr Vmax
52gr match HP
55gr softpoint
55gr FMJ

 

[fdshuster]

mwebster22: When you get the "Blackhills" ammo, very high quality), what I would use if not making my own, do some very controlled, serious side-by-side testing. Benchrest, 200 yds. at least a 12x scope, watch the wind, etc. I'd be willing to predict, their group size,s) will be, from smallest to largest 52 gr. match, 50 V-Max, 40 V-Max, 55 soft point, and a far dead last will be the 55 fmj. I also have found the "White box" Winchester to be of high quality, probably same approx. group sizes as the V-Max B.H. loads. As good as some factory ammo is, it's still "one-size-fits-all": improvements can always be made when making the ammo to fit your individual rifle.