Originally Posted By: BubbaChickenHey everyone, I have an AR (Stag) in .223, and I have to say the fmj PMC stuff is crap extraordinaire for ammo on targets at even 50 yards. I can chunk a bowling ball more accurately using only my left foot to lob it.
I have been told by folks at the range that the 55 grain ammo is too light (short) and that I need to go to a longer bullet, and that I need to stop using the PMC ammo (something about Korean production?) and use nice factory stuff or load my own with something closer to 70 grains.
My question is, for those of us whom are new to this particular platform, and using a Carbine barrel with a chrome lining and 1:9 twist on A) Targets or B) critters the size of a coyote or up to perhaps a small deer during the appropriate season, and C) informal range target shooting, what weight bullet seems to be most accurate, and for hunting critters we are not concerned about overpenetration on, what is the SHORTEST bullet we should be looking at for accurate shooting?
The reason I am asking this in this manner is that I have a swaging press, and am about to plunk down a LOT of money on a die set, and I want to be sure that I pick the right caliber (there are others in contention) and bullet style for the work I want to be able to handle, and the rifle is new to me, as is this particular caliber. I can reload if there are not factory ammunition options that make financial sense, I can reload almost anything in fact!
I was told that the 1:9 twist rate was too slow for the shorter bullets, so does anyone know where I should start for rolling my own weightwise to see what the bullet range for this platform and caliber might be? I suppose I am asking for a starting point and a stopping point, I need to know what the length (weight) window is for this twist rate and caliber within this platform. That is a better way of asking it.. Thanks!
I have a DPMS 1:9 twist carbine and shoot 60 grain vmax well with it. With the 1:9 twist you should be able to shoot the 50-60 grainers pretty well. You wouldn't have to go to 70 grainers. The 70's would probably work better in the 1:7 twist. 50-60 should be your sweet spot.