What is your favorite .223/5.56 match round? (On a budget!)

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

My "match shooting" is usually CMP or NRA certified high power rifle matches where I compete in the service rifle category with standard military iron sights. So my groups are never that good I'm not that steady and my old eyes don't see peep sights very clearly anymore I'm lucky if I can do 4 minute of angle under perfect conditions from a very steady prone position with a tight sling.

With That in mind, the last time I bought ammo to use in my AR at matches out to 600 yards, I went with steel-cased Russian made Silver Bear 62 grain boat tail bullets. I think I got them for about $0.25 or $0.28 per round.

Now I see (ammoseek.com) that both wolf and Tula have 75 grain hollowpoint bullets for $.20 per shot I think that's what I would go with the next I might order a case if I still want to compete out to 600 yards.

If I were to limit my shooting to 300 or 400 yards, 55 grain bullets would be just fine with me.

If I were shooting a bolt action gun with A crisp 2 pound trigger from a bench rest with a beanbag under the rear of the stock as well, and a rest or a good bipod up front, then I might go with ammo that cost $0.60 or $.70 a shot. But for a semi auto AR with either iron sights or a very low power optic, I'll go with cheap ammo for $.20 a shot.

 

[jglenn]

A high power AR shooting out to 600yds.. i used an 80gr sierra match king with RL15 as did quite a few shooters. 77hr sierra matchking for the 200 and 300 yd ranges..again with RL15..

 

[kuduman]

Black Hills 77 gr. OTM?

It's kinda the standard against which all others are judged, isn't it? My handloads can beat it by a bit, but it's not really worth the time at the bench. "Cheap" is relative. It's about a buck a shot.

I'm assuming you're talking not-short range (over 400 yards), and with decent optics. Otherwise you're just wasting your money. The other posters are right, you can shoot the cheap stuff as your group size is far more dependent on other factors than the accuracy of the ammo if you're not using optics.

 

[Bear44]

I've had good luck with the Hornady 55 grain V-Max varmint ammo. It shoots well in anything I try it in and exceptionally well in some rifles. .5 MOA in an HBAR AR and near .25 MOA in a heavy barreled Savage.

Being 55 grains you have to play the wind a bit more than you would the heavier bullets and anything past 600 yards is a problem because it goes subsonic, but anything 600 yards and in, it's a killer.

Keep an eye on Midway. They put this stuff on sale on a regular basis. BTW, the 55 grain TAP and BLACK loads appear to be the exact same ammo. Just different color components and cost.

 

[hseII]

http://www.sgammo.com/product/223-5...-otm-lr-mod-1-razorcore-imi-ammo-made-israe-0


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[stihl73]

Black Hills is the most accurate commercial ammo I have found. Bout $550 for 500rds

75gr. blue box works best for my needs... was loading Hornady 75 amax, now currently discontinued.... But it's been a long time since my savage 112 has been outside.

 

[Bandwidth]

IMI 77 gr Razorcore.

 

[cjnowell72]

Sub half moa with fronteir hornady 75gr. Seem to get a flyer about every 10th round or so. 5 shot group at 100 yards out of an 18” proof research barrel. Gonna try black hills 77gr tmk next

 

[cmshoot]

The MagTech First Defense 77grn load is outstanding in my guns. It’s a copy of the Mk262 load.

 

[ridgerunner33]

I like federal gold match 69 grain BTHP! On a good day I can get 3 shots same hole at 100 yards! $369’for 500 rounds.

Also my very favorite round as my rifles seem to prefer it,even over the Black Hills loadings,however 75 grain Hornady Match loading brass case is a close second.Nether is exactly a budget load so for that Id have to also give the nod to Hornadys Steel Match in the 75 grain HPBT flavor.Good luck in your quest.