Hey, I'm considering getting some factory 5.56 (or .223) practice ammo for position/barricade shooting etc. I'm looking for something in the 30-40 cents per round category that will run an MOA or a little over in a 1/7 20" 5.56 barrel. Since the above is about what it costs me to reload match grade .223 anyhow, it seems like if I could find something of adequate quality, I could save some time by practicing with some factory stuff. It doesn't need to be super accurate, but I figure it should be consistently around the MOA mark. Any suggestions or experiences, or is this just a fantasy and I should just keep making my own?
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5.56 practice Ammo?
- Thread starter LeadLauncher
- Start date
Federal has a rebate going on for some of their 5.56/223 stuff - $50 off a case of 1000. Google federal 223 rebate. Good deal, gets you around 26-27 cents a round after shipping if you look around for good deal. I will say this stuff can shoot in the moa range, but not sure I would promise you that. I have had it shoot 1.5-2moa in some rifles while in others right around 1-1.25 moa. But for that price its almost worth the gamble.
PMC 55g 223 has been MOA or sub MOA in my SR-15 with only a Comp M4 atop. A little over if I'm having a bad day with the trigger. To be honest, I don't shoot the gun all that much anymore. I'm busy fighting with my bolt actions and some macular degeneration causing eyebox issues.
I would echo the above post I used PMC Bronze in the 223 variety as a practice round for my bolt gun. Was consistent in the 1-1.5 MOA range. Not great but for the price I couldn't complain. A 10' plate at 300 was usually not an issue. I would assume the 5.56 to be similarly accurate.
As a bonus I have now started reloading and the PMC brass seems to be good.
As a bonus I have now started reloading and the PMC brass seems to be good.
Third vote for PMC bronze. My ar with a 16 inch ar stoner barrel would hold close to 1.5 moa but that cheap ammo really shined in my 5R 700. Was consistent in 1moa or under. I was shocked.
I've been using generic PPU/Prvi-Partizan 55gr FMJBT at 100yd for training.
I use a brass catcher on the AR and the PPU brass is what I make most of my match loads from. The rifle as always as accurate as the rifle is, and at 100yd, the outcomes between using the 55gr FMJBT and my 75gr match loads are hardly any different at all.
I figure that when the shot is off at as close a distance as 100yd, the problem is more likely to be me, and less likely to be the equipment; and that's what I'm trying to seek out with my shooting discipline. There's match shooting and there's everything else. Trying to make it any more complex than that is simply overthinking the whole matter.
I have recently made up a batch of handloads using the PPU brass and bulk Hornady 55gr FMJBT's. I expect them to shoot better than the factory stuff, but I need to get out and shoot them to confirm that.
I don't figure prices, I just make the ammo and use it; costs will be costs, period.
At my age, my life needs to be as simple as I can make it. Overthinking is too easy to do; and really, it just gets in the way of getting out there and gittin' 'er done.
I see topics about trainer this, and practice that, and even about dry firing. I don't have training rifles, and I don't dry fire. I figure that if I want to hone my shooting skill, I need to get out and shoot. Nothing I do outside doing the 'real thing' is equal to doing the 'real thing'.
Trying to do apples when the object is to do oranges is just chasing the tail, IMHO.
Greg
I use a brass catcher on the AR and the PPU brass is what I make most of my match loads from. The rifle as always as accurate as the rifle is, and at 100yd, the outcomes between using the 55gr FMJBT and my 75gr match loads are hardly any different at all.
I figure that when the shot is off at as close a distance as 100yd, the problem is more likely to be me, and less likely to be the equipment; and that's what I'm trying to seek out with my shooting discipline. There's match shooting and there's everything else. Trying to make it any more complex than that is simply overthinking the whole matter.
I have recently made up a batch of handloads using the PPU brass and bulk Hornady 55gr FMJBT's. I expect them to shoot better than the factory stuff, but I need to get out and shoot them to confirm that.
I don't figure prices, I just make the ammo and use it; costs will be costs, period.
At my age, my life needs to be as simple as I can make it. Overthinking is too easy to do; and really, it just gets in the way of getting out there and gittin' 'er done.
I see topics about trainer this, and practice that, and even about dry firing. I don't have training rifles, and I don't dry fire. I figure that if I want to hone my shooting skill, I need to get out and shoot. Nothing I do outside doing the 'real thing' is equal to doing the 'real thing'.
Trying to do apples when the object is to do oranges is just chasing the tail, IMHO.
Greg
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I've been shooting Wolf Gold for 100 yard matches. Just bought my second case. About $270 a case plus shipping, you should be able to find it local for about that, also. Bonus, makes reloadable brass.
I find the Norma TAC 223 to shoot very well. You can get it around $0.40 per round if you look and you're left with Norma Brass for reloading after you shoot the cheap factory stuff.
