Recommendations for factory match ammo (in 223)

[jhelmuth]

Hey folks...

So I have a Savage model 12 BJTV in .223 with a heavy non-fluted 26" barrel (pillar bedded in a Savage built Boyds thumbhole stock) on a Harris 9-13" bipod. (see here)http://savageshooters.com/SavageForu...c,43579.0.html
I'm a new shooter and have only 115 rounds on this new rifle so far (50 of them were for break-in).
I've shot American Eagle bulk-pack (100 rds) AR223 55gr FMJ (50 rounds), Georgia Arms 55gr FMJ reloads (45 rounds), and Federal Premium Gold Medal Match 69gr BTHP SMK (20 rounds)
The "bulk" stuff is obviously NOT my target ammo (just for practice - and I find the Georgia Arms shoots slightly better). I was able to shoot the Match ammo to .75 MOA on 5 rounds (so his fees like good ammo to me). Granted, I'm shooting off a Harris bipod and I have alot to learn to be able to shoot better groups.

My hope is you can help me with recommendations for the best factory match ammo for this rifle (I'm also interested in what you ue for "practice" ammo)

[Balljoint]

Why not reload for your MATCH ammo should be able to equal or better your group sizes at much less cost, use good LC Mil. bulk ammo for practice and for brass for reloading

[seanhagerty]

Hornady has a good product in their 75gr bthp match ammo. Try that.

http://www.hornady.com/store/223-Rem-75-gr-BTHP-Match/

[2guard]

check out the black hills 223

[jhelmuth]

Why not reload for your MATCH ammo should be able to equal or better your group sizes at much less cost, use good LC Mil. bulk ammo for practice and for brass for reloading

Eventually I very likely will do so. As anal and "precise" as I am in my work, etc. I have no reloding exprience and have yet to find a local smith/eloader that I can regularly get speciifc load developments from. I do not take reloading lightly, I believe that it does take some experience to properly create precission rounds. I'll get there (eventually)...

[jhelmuth]

Hornady has a good product in their 75gr bthp match ammo. Try that.

http://www.hornady.com/store/223-Rem-75-gr-BTHP-Match/

Can' hurt to try it - but it looks like the succesful shooters ith this ammo have 1:8 twist (compared to the 1:9 for my Savage)...

[BoilerUP]

My .223 12FV (26" 9 twist) absolutely LOVES 24.0gr Varget and the 75gr Hornady BTHP.

This exact load is found everywhere in the internet, used in everything from 16" M4s through 26" bolt guns like mine, loaded short to fit AR mags and long to chase bolt action throats, and almost always produces good accuracy.

Thing with reloading is you can typically find "good" accuracy with minimal workup, using recipes others use...then fine-tune the powder charge a couple tenths +/- of a grain or length a couple hundredths +/- to get "great" accuracy.

The 75gr A-Max has a different length bearing surface than the 75gr BTHP, which is where the twist issue comes into play (some 9 twists won't shoot the A-Max, others will). I'd bet you wouldn't be disappointed with Hornady 75gr BTHP factory ammo through your 9 twist tube.

[slaroy]

check out the black hills 223

+1

[Slowpoke Slim]

My shooting buddy shot a true one hole group with Ultramax 68 gr hp's in his bone stock dual port .223. It was his first range trip with his new gun.

It was the cheap remanufactured stuff...

Made me sick to watch it.

I told him to just buy a case of that stuff and don't bother with load development.

He's diddling around with handloads anyway, and so far, hasn't duplicated that with his own efforts...

You just never know...

[A_Gamehog]

This guy has first hand results of every factory .223 ammo sold with data to back it up...

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/467880_.html

[GaCop]

Look at Federal Gold Medal Match, it's still the benchmark in precision ammunition if you want to stay with factory loads.

[jhelmuth]

Look at Federal Gold Medal Match, it's still the benchmark in precision ammunition if you want to stay with factory loads.

Yep... so far these have been the best. My best 5 group with these has been .44 MOA.

I picked up a box of the Hornady Superformance 53gr VMax that I'll try out this Friday (if the weather is OK). I'm not thinking it'll be better than the Gold Medal Match, but doesn't hurt to try...