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View Full Version : Recommendations for inexpensive, reasonably precise 223 bullets available in bulk


Warg
10-14-14, 00:22
Once a year my uncle and I typically spend a week in the deserts of Idaho blasting stuff with our SPR-ish rifles. Last year we shot approximately 1,700 rounds of premium handloads, but this time I'd like to try something less expensive. Looking for recommendations on "reasonably" precise .223 bullets (0.75 - 1 MOA) for shooting primarily steel/paper targets and occasionally small varmints to ~300 or 400 yds (1:7 twist barrels). Depending on the weather and ammo, we will occasionally shoot steel to 700 and beyond, but the bulk of our shooting is typically inside of 400.

I prefer to avoid using my $0.25+ ea Bergers and SMKs.

My short list includes:


Hornady 68gr BTHP @ $0.153 ea
Hornady 75gr BTHP @ $0.156 ea
Nosler 69gr CC @ $0.167 ea


Any others? Are Prvi 69 and 75 HPBTs decent?

Thanks.
Onyx Z
10-14-14, 08:03
77gr Nosler CC. Just under $.17 ea if you buy 1,000 through Wideners. Oddly the 69gr are more expensve...

77gr: https://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000429&dir=278|281|1079|1160|1530
69gr: https://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000428&dir=278|281|1079|1160|1530
Warg
10-14-14, 10:04
77gr Nosler CC. Just under $.17 ea if you buy 1,000 through Wideners. Oddly the 69gr are more expensve...

77gr: https://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000429&dir=278|281|1079|1160|1530
69gr: https://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000428&dir=278|281|1079|1160|1530

Thanks. BTW, the 69 gr CCs are 16.7 cents each from Powder Valley.
Onyx Z
10-14-14, 11:01
Ya, I looked at the 77gr on both sites since that's what I typically use. Then noticed the 69gr were higher. Go figure... I didn't even price out the 69gr since I've never tried Nosler's version.
markm
10-14-14, 11:21
Ya, I looked at the 77gr on both sites since that's what I typically use. Then noticed the 69gr were higher. Go figure... I didn't even price out the 69gr since I've never tried Nosler's version.

I've not had great luck with the 69 Nos CC's. The 77 hang right with Sierra, but for whatever reason, the 69s were just so-so.
mudmarine
10-17-14, 13:50
I have had good luck using 55gn fmj from extreme bullet. They are cheap.
AFshirt
10-23-14, 01:34
I have had good luck using 55gn fmj from extreme bullet. They are cheap.

I've shot quite a few of these and they do pretty well. I went to the nosler site and found blem 69 and 77g projectiles for 13 per 100 count. After that, pretty much all I load is from them.
Onyx Z
10-23-14, 07:53
I've shot quite a few of these and they do pretty well. I went to the nosler site and found blem 69 and 77g projectiles for 13 per 100 count. After that, pretty much all I load is from them.

How did the 69gr Noslers perform compared to SMK's?
AFshirt
10-23-14, 08:03
How did the 69gr Noslers perform compared to SMK's?

The only range I have close is 100yds and at that distance I honestly couldnt really tell the difference. I am pretty new at reloading so that may be a factor but I have tried both 69g SMK and the nosler and I couldn't tell what bullet did what.
markm
10-23-14, 13:59
We shot up all of our 69gr CCs or I'd test them again. We've damned near gone to shooting all 77 gr CCs. Sometimes I'll load up some FMJs for blasting/short range stuff.