Can't find .223 Rem Bullets?

GaryC4 · December 18, 2015, 10:39 AM

Hi all,

I've been reloading handgun rounds for a few years now, and I recently picked up an AR chambered in 5.56/.223. I'd like to reload my .223 brass but I'm having trouble figuring out what else (if anything) a .223 Remington bullet goes by. I usually buy through Midway or Brownells and a search for .223 bullets gets me a big fat goose egg.

Should I be looking for something else?

Thanks all

superspirit · December 18, 2015, 10:46 AM

223 Bullets are 22 caliber, you can choose anything from 40 grain to 77 grain. for an AR most choose a 55 grain. good luck.

emcon5 · December 18, 2015, 10:57 AM

Yes, you should be looking for .224 bullets.

http://www.midwayusa.com/22-caliber-223-224/br?cid=7240

USMC 77-81 · December 18, 2015, 11:08 AM

I believe .223 (224) bullets can be as heavy as 90 grns. Of course that would make them very long = compressed loads. Also, your barrel will need a fast twist to stabilize heavy bullets, my Mini 14 has a 1/7 barrel and absolutely loves 75 grn. bullets which are the heaviest I've shot so far.

chris in va · December 18, 2015, 12:55 PM

deleted

griz · December 18, 2015, 01:02 PM

As mentioned you want .224 bullets, usually just listed as 22 bullets at most places. If you search 223 rem it will probably hang up looking for Remington brand bullets, so leave that off.

Fotheringill · December 18, 2015, 01:36 PM

As above, but be aware that if you are using a magazine in your AR, you must not go over the SAAMI spec of 2.260 OAL. The heavier bullets are really made for single shot (no magazine) and when properly seated for the bullet, will not fit into a magazine.

GaryC4 · December 18, 2015, 02:01 PM

Thanks for clearing this up everyone. It seems like 50 gr seems to be the most popular weight so I think I'll start there.

Merry Christmas!

T. O'Heir · December 18, 2015, 02:10 PM

"...a search for .223 bullets gets me a big fat goose egg..." Please read your manual first. .223 Rem is just a cartridge marketing name. .223 Rem and most cartridge names have nothing to do with the bullet diameter.
"...50 gr seems to be..." Bullet weight needs to be compatible with the rifling twist for optimum accuracy. What's the twist of your rifle? Isn't a safety thing. Just accuracy.

GaryC4 · December 18, 2015, 02:12 PM

Very good point. The rifle is an M&P 15 OR, chrome plated barrel with a 1:9 twist. I recall seeing somewhere that 50gr bullets are best for a 1:7 twist but with the 1:9 a slightly heavier bullet will perform better.

Thoughts?

emcon5 · December 18, 2015, 03:01 PM

Faster twist is required for heavier/longer bullets to stabilize. Light bullets are fine with slower twists, like those found normally on bolt action varmint rifles, like 1:12.

1:9 should work fine with weights up to 69 grains, with some folks (including me) reporting success with 75 grains.

1:7 will work with bullets up to 80 grains.

In both cases lighter bullets should still work fine, with the possible exception of light weight varmint bullets, which can come apart of spun too fast. Never had it happen, but it is possible.

Depending on what you are shooting, probably the most common blasting ammo bullet is the 55 gr FMJ.

GaryC4 · December 18, 2015, 03:04 PM

Thanks very much, this is great information!

December 18, 2015, 10:39 AM	#1
GaryC4 Member Join Date: May 5, 2015 Posts: 16	Can't find .223 Rem Bullets? Hi all, I've been reloading handgun rounds for a few years now, and I recently picked up an AR chambered in 5.56/.223. I'd like to reload my .223 brass but I'm having trouble figuring out what else (if anything) a .223 Remington bullet goes by. I usually buy through Midway or Brownells and a search for .223 bullets gets me a big fat goose egg. Should I be looking for something else? Thanks all

December 18, 2015, 02:10 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...a search for .223 bullets gets me a big fat goose egg..." Please read your manual first. .223 Rem is just a cartridge marketing name. .223 Rem and most cartridge names have nothing to do with the bullet diameter. "...50 gr seems to be..." Bullet weight needs to be compatible with the rifling twist for optimum accuracy. What's the twist of your rifle? Isn't a safety thing. Just accuracy. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 18, 2015, 10:46 AM	#2
superspirit Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 211	223 Bullets are 22 caliber, you can choose anything from 40 grain to 77 grain. for an AR most choose a 55 grain. good luck.

December 18, 2015, 10:57 AM	#3
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Yes, you should be looking for .224 bullets. http://www.midwayusa.com/22-caliber-223-224/br?cid=7240

December 18, 2015, 11:08 AM	#4
USMC 77-81 Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2012 Location: Northern Idaho Posts: 254	I believe .223 (224) bullets can be as heavy as 90 grns. Of course that would make them very long = compressed loads. Also, your barrel will need a fast twist to stabilize heavy bullets, my Mini 14 has a 1/7 barrel and absolutely loves 75 grn. bullets which are the heaviest I've shot so far.

December 18, 2015, 12:55 PM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	deleted

December 18, 2015, 01:02 PM	#6
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	As mentioned you want .224 bullets, usually just listed as 22 bullets at most places. If you search 223 rem it will probably hang up looking for Remington brand bullets, so leave that off.

December 18, 2015, 01:36 PM	#7
Fotheringill Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2014 Posts: 114	As above, but be aware that if you are using a magazine in your AR, you must not go over the SAAMI spec of 2.260 OAL. The heavier bullets are really made for single shot (no magazine) and when properly seated for the bullet, will not fit into a magazine.

December 18, 2015, 02:01 PM	#8
GaryC4 Member Join Date: May 5, 2015 Posts: 16	Thanks for clearing this up everyone. It seems like 50 gr seems to be the most popular weight so I think I'll start there. Merry Christmas!

December 18, 2015, 02:12 PM	#10
GaryC4 Member Join Date: May 5, 2015 Posts: 16	Very good point. The rifle is an M&P 15 OR, chrome plated barrel with a 1:9 twist. I recall seeing somewhere that 50gr bullets are best for a 1:7 twist but with the 1:9 a slightly heavier bullet will perform better. Thoughts?

December 18, 2015, 03:01 PM	#11
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Faster twist is required for heavier/longer bullets to stabilize. Light bullets are fine with slower twists, like those found normally on bolt action varmint rifles, like 1:12. 1:9 should work fine with weights up to 69 grains, with some folks (including me) reporting success with 75 grains. 1:7 will work with bullets up to 80 grains. In both cases lighter bullets should still work fine, with the possible exception of light weight varmint bullets, which can come apart of spun too fast. Never had it happen, but it is possible. Depending on what you are shooting, probably the most common blasting ammo bullet is the 55 gr FMJ.

December 18, 2015, 03:04 PM	#12
GaryC4 Member Join Date: May 5, 2015 Posts: 16	Thanks very much, this is great information!