.223 load questions

Timfoilhat

Timfoilhat

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Getting back into the poodle shooters. I started loading after I sold all my old ones off so a little lacking on the knowledge.

1) Using IMR 4064 is okay? I've got a supply of that so I shouldn't need to buy something different.
2) How do Berry's 55 gr plated bullets do? They're the cheapest thing I've come across thus far. Not shooting matches for score, only blasting steel and paper. Is there something cheaper than $0.14 each out there?
3) I'm getting a 1/8 barrel so I might want to load some 68-75 grain hunting or defense type loads. Other than Vmax, is there something I should be looking for?
 
Check with @Butter and see if he still has any of the 55 gr fmj seconds. Last update he had they were $370/6K, or $.06 ea.

NC/SC - Seconds 55gr 224 projectiles

11/4/21 price update-$370/6k shipped Seconds projectiles are those made by the machine while it is warming up. The weight varies slightly from 54.9-55.5gr and may have uneven jackets at the base. These come in a box of 6,000 As of 4/1/20 I'm not able to break up full cases. Its easier and...
carolinafirearmsforum.com carolinafirearmsforum.com
 
Back 2-3 years ago, regular 55 FMJ were going for about 7 cents each. I was getting the Hornady 55SP bullets for about 8.5 cents each, and were very accurate, good out to about 300 yards. I have not priced any lately, though. For longer distance, I like the Hornady 75 bthp.

I've never used 4064 so I can't comment on that. I do see that Hodgdon has load data, though.
 
Toprudder said:
Back 2-3 years ago, regular 55 FMJ were going for about 7 cents each. I was getting the Hornady 55SP bullets for about 8.5 cents each, and were very accurate, good out to about 300 yards. I have not priced any lately, though. For longer distance, I like the Hornady 75 bthp.

I've never used 4064 so I can't comment on that. I do see that Hodgdon has load data, though.
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Yep. That's where I checked first. Then I checked my Lyman book and found it there too (it's their accuracy load for 62 grain SS109.) Hornady doesn't show it at all for some reason. I use 4064 for .308.
 
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You can use IMR4064 as mentioned above, metering sucks, how it fills the case with those "sticks"
would recommend a "drop tube" be used to sorta line the grains up. Lyman 50 has load data 50gr
and up bullets, various manufacture using IMR4064. Me I stick with 748, 8208, 4895, 844. sometimes
335, 322, BLC-2.

Bullet wise there's nothing wrong with Berry bullets, if just for plinking, slinging lead, practice.
I've even used "pull down" bullets... on a side note you may find differences with in the same
manufacture, crimp groove, boat-tail and shape. for plinking it makes no difference.
As far as the 68+ grs, Hornady is okay (Not A Hornady Fan) Hunting would be Sierra's
Target would be Bergers / Sierra
Defense would be either Lehigh Defense / Cutting Edge Bullets...they aint cheap, but results
makes one open the eyes..
Then you have the cheaper bullets
Federal 62 gr 5.56/.223 TBBC, Sierra 77gr. OTM Matchking, Berger 77 Grain OTM (Open Tip Match)
Tactical Rifle Bullet, the later are accurate and the Sierra

or... buy some ..if you can find them, MK318 MOD 0 rounds or MK262 Rounds
at one time there was a surplus market of the MK318 Bullets...
YMMV

-Snoopz
 
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Plated in 223? I'd think a standard 3100+ fps would be too fast for plated. I could be totally wrong, just never known anyone to use plated for 223.

For something where accuracy isn't super important, I'd go with xtreme FMJ: https://www.xtremebullets.com/223-55gr-FMJ-p/xj223-55fmj-b0500.htm They have pop up sales all the time, just subscribe to their list.

For super accuracy, it seems the Sierra 77gr HPBT-match has been the go to. For me, it's the only round I've ever managed to make one hole out of a group with. For powder I've had excellent results with AAC2520 and IMR8208 XBR.
 
@clay_fv Good call on xtreme.
The Berry's are actually jacketed, not plated...their first foray into jacketed bullets.
 
Timfoilhat said:
@clay_fv Good call on xtreme.
The Berry's are actually jacketed, not plated...their first foray into jacketed bullets.
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Ahhh, now that makes a lot more sense. I use Berry's plated in 220gr subsonic for 300blk and love them, but that's moving at 1050fps. LOL

Too bad you weren't buying just 2 days ago. Xtreme had a pretty solid memorial day sale going on. However, I can guarantee you they'll have another one for the 4th of July.

Blue collar has the Hornady 55gr FMJ for 12.30/100: https://www.bluecollarreloading.com/collections/hornady/products/hornady-22cal-55gr-fmj-bt-w-c-2267
 
1. Nothing wrong with using 40464 but not my first choice for 55 gr pills. RE#7 and powder with similar burn rate. Glen Zediker liked H4895 best for the AR.
2. Never shot Berry plated 223. Never shot anybody's plated 223. I would think there is a strict velocity limitation.
3. 75 grain flat points with exposed lead (Hornady Black) are my fave SD loads. Kyle Lamb likes monolithic solids for being barrier blind. Hornady and Barnes make 75/77 grain solids.
 
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Since others are mentioning alternative powders. My goto for accuracy loads is 8208xbr. For cheap plinking loads, I snagged some WC844 before the shortages started, I paid some ridiculously low price for it. Along with a deal for 55fmj bullets, I was able to get the cost/round (minus brass) down to about 18 cents each. I'm afraid those days are gone, though.
 
Toprudder said:
Since others are mentioning alternative powders. My goto for accuracy loads is 8208xbr. For cheap plinking loads, I snagged some WC844 before the shortages started, I paid some ridiculously low price for it. Along with a deal for 55fmj bullets, I was able to get the cost/round (minus brass) down to about 18 cents each. I'm afraid those days are gone, though.
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You got that right by gone days...There used to be a place TCCI or ThunderBird Cartridge, that sold tons of that stuff decades ago
844, 844T (tracer), 846, 846 (tracer), 4895, 8208 (not the current blend), free Mil brass by the crate, barrel. 844 was $48 - about $60
some dollars for 8#, man I was buying TW 5.56 ball ammo for about .50 box, cheaper by the can, then PMC 5.56 ball hit the US
market. good days ...long gone..

-Snoopz
 
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