I don't use my 223 for a "trainer" it's primarily my main rifle but I'm wanting to shoot more and not spend as much. I wonder if anyone else is shooting a fmj for trainer ammo. I'd be loading my own but I'm just trying to get the cost down.
-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
Range Report Trainer ammo?
- Thread starter PAYDIRT
- Start date
Midsouth shooters supply has some 62g hpbt from hornady that shoot really good and can be had for $55 for 500
Rocky Mountain Reloading will be selling some their home made 69g hpbt bullets for around $140 or less per thousand (first release was $120 per k, but new tooling and process has them out of stock, so new price unknown)
What is “cheap” and how accurate do you want?
Rocky Mountain Reloading will be selling some their home made 69g hpbt bullets for around $140 or less per thousand (first release was $120 per k, but new tooling and process has them out of stock, so new price unknown)
What is “cheap” and how accurate do you want?
FMJ's usually don't shoot as good as bullets designed for varmint hunting, I'd avoid them.
z7, how do the H69's group?
I know the fmj won't be as nice as the eld's I'm shooting now. But I'm wanting more trigger time and this would be cheaper than a new 22 and my Sako p-54 is on its last leg and I don't want to put more money into it.
Yes, I do. I use the blue box Prvi-Partizan (PPU headstamp) 55gr FMJBT as practice ammo. At 100yd, in a decent rifle, it can be pretty hard to see the difference between it and higher grade ammunition on the target. Farther out, the pack divides; but up close, they fly in a pretty close formation.
I also use a brass catcher; because for other than this FMJ practice, I very commonly shoot only my own handloads. The PPU brass has proven to me over a lot of years to be very good for reloading high quality match grade ammunition.
For 223, different brass should make a difference on the target, but I'm not seeing that with most of the 223 brass I recover and reload. PPU is fine for all the needs to which I have applied it.
The only stuff I would seriously shy away from is some Norinco I found on a range. A number of shoulders had split on the original firing. I'd never seen that before or after.
Greg
I also use a brass catcher; because for other than this FMJ practice, I very commonly shoot only my own handloads. The PPU brass has proven to me over a lot of years to be very good for reloading high quality match grade ammunition.
For 223, different brass should make a difference on the target, but I'm not seeing that with most of the 223 brass I recover and reload. PPU is fine for all the needs to which I have applied it.
The only stuff I would seriously shy away from is some Norinco I found on a range. A number of shoulders had split on the original firing. I'd never seen that before or after.
Greg
The hornady’s are 62g, and I didn’t spend much effort for load development, just put them over some TAC using a popular load for 62g fmj, fires 10 in a 1.5” group with my 3 gun rifle and called it a day
I have not had a chance to try the 69g bullets from end, they are made by Rocky Mountain reloading but are out of stock, the Rmr guys make good stuff and I am a big fan of their pistol bullets, so I expect they should work as good as hornady 68ghpbt, maybe not as good as a 69smk
I ordered the 62's they will be over blc-2. I'll just do a ocw then throw the powder. Trying to save some time and money. I'll spend most of them at 450 and less. I'm hoping they will be good enough to actually get some quality trigger time on.
I use 75gr bthp. Can be had for around .16 to .17 a bullet. Shot them out to 1000 over the wknd.
Loaded on my hornady LNL progressive.
That being said I have a bunch of 55gr FMJ bullets to try
Loaded on my hornady LNL progressive.
That being said I have a bunch of 55gr FMJ bullets to try
Check out Beck Ammunition, they have several good deals, shipping is prompt.
Have been satisfied with 223, 300blk ect.
Prices are competitive.
I have been using them for a while.
http://beckammunition.com/ammunition/.223-Rem/223-rem-68gr-hpbt.html
Have been satisfied with 223, 300blk ect.
Prices are competitive.
I have been using them for a while.
http://beckammunition.com/ammunition/.223-Rem/223-rem-68gr-hpbt.html
As funds allow, I will be adding the HDY 75gr Steel match to my comparison testing of factory 223 LR rounds.
if it works for me, it's a good alternative; even if it means foregoing recycling the casings for reloading.
Seriously, I already have a boatload of 223 brass for handloading; so my argument is actually specious.
Greg
if it works for me, it's a good alternative; even if it means foregoing recycling the casings for reloading.
Seriously, I already have a boatload of 223 brass for handloading; so my argument is actually specious.
Greg
I still haven't done any load testing on the 62 bthp' but I did treat myself to a b day present. CZ 455
Figure I'm gona get hammer tine, but can't resist.
AK, loose tolerance on purpose to run steel mixed with mud in the chamber without fail.
AR , closer tolerance to improve accuracy. Designed specifically for brass rounds .
I also figure that most guys hanging out here have spent extra money for the closest to tolerance parts they can get.
Sounds like a quick way to a problem to me?
I also won't run aluminum in anything including a revolver, had a round hang up a Ruger once, did not know it was possible!
AK, loose tolerance on purpose to run steel mixed with mud in the chamber without fail.
AR , closer tolerance to improve accuracy. Designed specifically for brass rounds .
I also figure that most guys hanging out here have spent extra money for the closest to tolerance parts they can get.
Sounds like a quick way to a problem to me?
I also won't run aluminum in anything including a revolver, had a round hang up a Ruger once, did not know it was possible!
Run what you like but your thought process is flawed in regards to the Hornady steel match ammo. I run it in a POF and Seekins SP3G and it functions perfectly and is accurate. Same for my custom .223 bolt gun. Don't run it but I would tell someone to try it and see and not make assumptions if it will work or not. I have used a lot of it and know it works.
Nope. Shot thousands through them at 3 gun matches and the rifles are still running strong.
Steel ammo isn't new in the .223. Back in the 90s when Wolf was $99/1000 I shot many many thousands of them and no issues and the Hornady is loaded with better powder and bullets. The steel used is softer steel so it acts similar to brass but without the cost.
No need to run off. Just a discussion.
Steel ammo isn't new in the .223. Back in the 90s when Wolf was $99/1000 I shot many many thousands of them and no issues and the Hornady is loaded with better powder and bullets. The steel used is softer steel so it acts similar to brass but without the cost.
No need to run off. Just a discussion.
Love steel match. My new 223 Savage 12FV loves Hornady Steel Match 75gr BTHP. 10 shots, .75MOA.
Attachments
Finally got around to getting the 62 bthp load going. LC brass, Sellier & Bellot primer and a light load of BL-C (2). Throwing this powder is so much better than trickling Varget. Here's 5 @ 100. I'll post some 350 and 450 yard results later
This is the results of my little test. AR15 20" Ballistic Advantage 1:7 barrel. 100 yards, 59*, 1221' DA. Off a concrete bench, little to no wind, bipod and rear bag.
As you can see, most of this ammo was .223 and shooting out of a 5.56 chamber so you can read into that as you wish. Anyway, I've had good luck with the Magtech 77g OTM in this and other rifles and it will continue to be my go-to for PRS style matches. The big surprises to me was that the S&B ammo did poorly compared to how it's shot from other guns, and that the cheap 69g Privi ammo shot almost the same as the 77g Magtech, AND that the little 50g grey tips shot well under MOA...so much for over spinning that bullet with a 1:7.
Clockwise from upper left;
American Eagle .223 50g grey tip Varmint
Atomic 77g .223 BTHP SMK
Privi Partizan 69g .223 BTHP "Match"
Buffalo Bore 69g .223 BTHP SMK
Speer 75g .223 Golddot (Wrong bullet weight written on target)
Magtech 77g 5.56 BTHP SMK
Norma 77g .223 SMK
Buffalo Bore 77g .223 BTHP SMK
Magtech 62g 5.56
Hornady 55g .223 TAP
Sellier & Bellot 55g 5.56
Armscor 55g 5.56
As you can see, most of this ammo was .223 and shooting out of a 5.56 chamber so you can read into that as you wish. Anyway, I've had good luck with the Magtech 77g OTM in this and other rifles and it will continue to be my go-to for PRS style matches. The big surprises to me was that the S&B ammo did poorly compared to how it's shot from other guns, and that the cheap 69g Privi ammo shot almost the same as the 77g Magtech, AND that the little 50g grey tips shot well under MOA...so much for over spinning that bullet with a 1:7.
Clockwise from upper left;
American Eagle .223 50g grey tip Varmint
Atomic 77g .223 BTHP SMK
Privi Partizan 69g .223 BTHP "Match"
Buffalo Bore 69g .223 BTHP SMK
Speer 75g .223 Golddot (Wrong bullet weight written on target)
Magtech 77g 5.56 BTHP SMK
Norma 77g .223 SMK
Buffalo Bore 77g .223 BTHP SMK
Magtech 62g 5.56
Hornady 55g .223 TAP
Sellier & Bellot 55g 5.56
Armscor 55g 5.56
Attachments
Last edited:
