Decent factory 223 ammunition

Aaron47pb

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 22, 2014
766
334
Moscow, ID
I've been using up some up some surplus 5.56 I had accumulated and no surprise its horribly inaccurate. I would like some 223 that is capable of MOA. At this point with my skill set I am not likely capable of shooting within MOA, I would just like to know its not the ammo missing. Any recommendations for some relatively accurate 223 factory ammo? It doesn't have to be the best. Assuming its capable of MOA, I am more concerned about value.

Thanks
 
I've been using up some up some surplus 5.56 I had accumulated and no surprise its horribly inaccurate. I would like some 223 that is capable of MOA. At this point with my skill set I am not likely capable of shooting within MOA, I would just like to know its not the ammo missing. Any recommendations for some relatively accurate 223 factory ammo? It doesn't have to be the best. Assuming its capable of MOA, I am more concerned about value.

Thanks

What ever your marksmanship, remember, your groups are always an indication of a multitude of errors/problems. If there were no errors, you would achieve the literal meaning of a zero where the bullet path and line of sight intersect and there is no measurable value between point of aim and point of impact. With this in mind, the only way you will see improvement is through comparative analysis. This means you need to try out ammunition that appears to be the sort you need for what ever the need is. If groups can be discerned as being consistently smaller then it is likely the ammunition is indeed more accurate, no matter your skill. Of course, if you can not yet shoot a group, ammunition appraisal is the least of your concerns. Thing is, even match grade ammunition does not reveal its capability at short distance; but, shooting such at longer range introduces effects on trajectory, like wind and weather, which also preclude meaningful appraisal. Therefore, you might want to get a chronograph to measure performance, i.e. SD and ES. This will indicate quality that you cannot visually discern from the target at the typical 100 yard zeroing/grouping distance, or at longer distances for which you do not yet have the necessary knowledge to be able to discern the meaning of results.
 
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^ +1 on the "Thing is, even match grade ammunition does not reveal its capability at short distance; but, shooting such at longer range introduces effects on trajectory, like wind and weather, which also preclude meaningful appraisal."

try hornady off the shelf stuff, any caliber, superformance, match, varmint express, any hornady ammo usually does well for a benchmark and is reasonably priced for the performance it delivers off the shelf. - consider your twist rate vs. grains of the head.

then build loads to match that.
 
You didn't say what you're shooting it out of but assuming its a standard CAR or M4 platform then try something with a premium bullet like a 69 gr match bullet. I've got a DPMS Mk 12 barrel in one AR and a standard Mil spec CAR and both shoot a little over 1 moa with American Eagle 55 gr fmj. With hand loaded 69 gr SMKs my MK 12 with do under 1moa. If your barrel is a 1/9 twist it may not like the heavier bullets. Like others said try a box of different factory fodder until you find something it likes.

By the way my hand loaded 55 gr fmj shoot 3" groups so premium bullets do make a difference.
 
What ever your marksmanship, remember, your groups are always an indication of a multitude of errors/problems. If there were no errors, you would achieve the literal meaning of a zero where the bullet path and line of sight intersect and there is no measurable value between point of aim and point of impact. With this in mind, the only way you will see improvement is through comparative analysis. This means you need to try out ammunition that appears to be the sort you need for what ever the need is. If groups can be discerned as being consistently smaller then it is likely the ammunition is indeed more accurate, no matter your skill. Of course, if you can not yet shoot a group, ammunition appraisal is the least of your concerns. Thing is, even match grade ammunition does not reveal its capability at short distance; but, shooting such at longer range introduces effects on trajectory, like wind and weather, which also preclude meaningful appraisal. Therefore, you might want to get a chronograph to measure performance, i.e. SD and ES. This will indicate quality that you cannot visually discern from the target at the typical 100 yard zeroing/grouping distance, or at longer distances for which you do not yet have the necessary knowledge to be able to discern the meaning of results.

That is sort of the problem - other than ~4 inch groups at 100 yards with M193, I have no idea what I can shoot.

^ +1 on the "Thing is, even match grade ammunition does not reveal its capability at short distance; but, shooting such at longer range introduces effects on trajectory, like wind and weather, which also preclude meaningful appraisal."

try hornady off the shelf stuff, any caliber, superformance, match, varmint express, any hornady ammo usually does well for a benchmark and is reasonably priced for the performance it delivers off the shelf. - consider your twist rate vs. grains of the head.

then build loads to match that.

Thanks, I just found some cheap Hornady 75gr match.

You didn't say what you're shooting it out of but assuming its a standard CAR or M4 platform then try something with a premium bullet like a 69 gr match bullet. I've got a DPMS Mk 12 barrel in one AR and a standard Mil spec CAR and both shoot a little over 1 moa with American Eagle 55 gr fmj. With hand loaded 69 gr SMKs my MK 12 with do under 1moa. If your barrel is a 1/9 twist it may not like the heavier bullets. Like others said try a box of different factory fodder until you find something it likes.

By the way my hand loaded 55 gr fmj shoot 3" groups so premium bullets do make a difference.

I am shooting a 16" AR with 1:7 twist. Good to know about the 3" hand loaded groups. Makes me feel a little better...