Point me to some decent factory "match" .223 ammo...

[Bimmer]

Long story short: I'm going to buy a bolt-action 5.56, and I'm going to handload for it. I want to buy a couple hundred rounds of decent factory "match" ammo to use as a reference as I work up my own loads.

I'll be punching paper at 200-300yds, maybe out to 600yds. I expect I'll be using bullets in the 50-69gr range.

So, I'm looking at 69gr FGMM, which I can get for 85¢/round, shipped.


QUESTION: Are there other/better options that I should consider?

(I know you guys were all drooling over MagTech's 77gr OTM load a couple years ago, but that seems to be long gone.)

[Bimmer]

OK, I just saw the 73gr Berger FGMM load.

I can get that for 95¢/round. I'm not convinced that it would be so much better than the 69gr SMK load, but it's not like an extra $20 for a couple hunderd rounds would ruin me, either.

[Defaultmp3]

If price is an issue: https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi...2232-p-65.aspx

The data is rather old, but it is from Molon, so at least PPU was once capable of pretty good accuracy: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...880#post800880

Here's the Magtech: https://www.targetsportsusa.com/magt...c-p-82712.aspx

[mark5pt56]

One can roll the dice in regards to finding an accurate factory load for THEIR rifle, same an be said for hand loading. The hand loading can turn into a nightmare if you let it. Having said that, there are factory loads that are a safe bet and the saying goes that if your rifle can't shoot FGMM than it's not the ammunition. Ask yourself what ranges you can shoot to and maybe pick a good bullet that will perform best to that distance. If short range, go for the 69's, longer-at least 77. I could be wrong but I think the 73's where intended for semi's, certain they will perform well in a bolt. Blackhills would be another good one. Don't waste your time over a nickel a bullet, nothing is worse than having a great rifle and ammo that won't shoot.

I've shot the PPU and Magtech in a couple different rifles, it did ok but not on par with Blackhills or FGMM. Every rifle is different, I have a standard 16" chrome lined LMT MRP barrel that will shoot the Sig branded 77 match into .75 bu the tack driver, 20" SS 5R hates it- over 1" But that same 20" will run BH 262 into sub 3/4" one example.

For a good combo look at H4895 and the the Hornady 75 BTHP and or IMR 8208 with the 77. I haven't mixed the two yet. That H4895 load has shot well in 3 rifles.

[B52U]

One can roll the dice in regards to finding an accurate factory load for THEIR rifle, same an be said for hand loading. The hand loading can turn into a nightmare if you let it. Having said that, there are factory loads that are a safe bet and the saying goes that if your rifle can't shoot FGMM than it's not the ammunition. Ask yourself what ranges you can shoot to and maybe pick a good bullet that will perform best to that distance. If short range, go for the 69's, longer-at least 77. I could be wrong but I think the 73's where intended for semi's, certain they will perform well in a bolt. Blackhills would be another good one. Don't waste your time over a nickel a bullet, nothing is worse than having a great rifle and ammo that won't shoot.

I've shot the PPU and Magtech in a couple different rifles, it did ok but not on par with Blackhills or FGMM. Every rifle is different, I have a standard 16" chrome lined LMT MRP barrel that will shoot the Sig branded 77 match into .75 bu the tack driver, 20" SS 5R hates it- over 1" But that same 20" will run BH 262 into sub 3/4" one example.

For a good combo look at H4895 and the the Hornady 75 BTHP and or IMR 8208 with the 77. I haven't mixed the two yet. That H4895 load has shot well in 3 rifles.

Hand loading doesn't have to be a nightmare, you just need the right tools and methods. A good chronograph being numero uno! Find the node that yields both the lowest SD and has the most consistent group performance, done. Yes you can go off the rails with experimentation. That's why you consult other experienced reloaders to get an idea of the right bullet and powder combinations for your application first.

[Bimmer]

Hand loading doesn't have to be a nightmare, you just need the right tools and methods. A good chronograph being numero uno!

Not to worry... I've been reloading pistol rounds and .30 Carbine on a RL550B since the early 1990s. I have a ProChrono and know how to use it!


Stepping up to real rifle cartridges with shoulders will be stepping up my game, but it's been a long time coming.

I've been sitting on a Dillon swagger and Dillon trimmer for years and years, and I have a phat stash of .223 cases and 48lbs of TAC and 9,000+ various .224 bullets.


Of course, I'm not going to actually buy the bolt gun until the end of the year, but that'll give me time to catch up on loading .40, .38, and .30 Mauser!

[mark5pt56]

Hand loading doesn't have to be a nightmare, you just need the right tools and methods. A good chronograph being numero uno! Find the node that yields both the lowest SD and has the most consistent group performance, done. Yes you can go off the rails with experimentation. That's why you consult other experienced reloaders to get an idea of the right bullet and powder combinations for your application first.

That why I said -IF YOU LET IT meaning you could try every combination one could think of to chase the golden egg. Some do, the point is to go with "safe bets" and be done with it.

[NWPilgrim]

Ditto the above. There are some loads that just shoot well in most rifles. May not be the ultimate best for any one rifle but surprisingly good in most. Federal has a good record of finding such loads for its GMM ammo. The 69 and 77 gr GMM are close to my best handloads in my rifles. I use GMM as a good baseline for working up accurate loads in a new rifle. And it is always available at least long as ammo in general is available.

[gunnerblue]

Folks around here use HSM with Bergers and Hornady for the most part and seem pleased. I have no first-hand experience with the factory ammo but I’ve had very good results with handloaded Bergers and Hornady ELD-X’s

[markm]

Get some Black Hills 69 gr TMK in 5.56mm. You'll be blown away. The TMK bullet itself isn't quite as accurate as the Matchking, but it's still good. And if you want to shoot a load out to 600 that is amazingly flat, try a box of those.