22 Hornet in a AR15

Ricksgtx · December 4, 2009, 08:54 AM

I picked up 2 boxes of 40gr. JSP .223 Hornet Sierra bullets at a yard sale.
I want to load them for to a 223 Remington for plinking. Any problem with the bullet being .001 smaller firing in a Bushmaster AR 15???

Thanks for your thoughts.

dwwhite · December 4, 2009, 09:37 AM

I can't see the bullet diameter being an issue.

What I can see being a problem is bullet performance. The hornet bullets are designed to perform at relatively low velocities, and using normal .223 loads for a 40 grain bullet, you'll be launching them considerably faster. I don't think they'll be coming apart in the air, but they certainly could explode on target.

I guess I mean to say that I might not use them on anything but the smallest game. For target shooting it shouldn't be an issue.

farmall · December 4, 2009, 10:44 AM

If I understand correctly, these are .223" diameter bullets as used in the earlier Hornet's???? Don't think accuracy would suffer terribly, but the only way you will find out is to shoot them. I'd load light, and hope the fast twist dosen't fling them apart in flight. Not sure how light the jacket is on these.

MY biggest fear would be loss of neck tension with the undersized bullet, with the resultant hazard of bullet setback into the case.

I'd damn sure load 10-20 rounds and check OAL, before and after chambering, then test accuracy before loading the whole batch up!

YMMV.
Andy

10-96 · December 4, 2009, 11:17 AM

And... I'd opt for a double check on your crimp. I don't crimp my .223 Rems- but I thinks I would these just to be on the safe side.

December 4, 2009, 08:54 AM	#1
Ricksgtx Junior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Posts: 10	22 Hornet in a AR15 I picked up 2 boxes of 40gr. JSP .223 Hornet Sierra bullets at a yard sale. I want to load them for to a 223 Remington for plinking. Any problem with the bullet being .001 smaller firing in a Bushmaster AR 15??? Thanks for your thoughts.

December 4, 2009, 11:17 AM	#4
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	And... I'd opt for a double check on your crimp. I don't crimp my .223 Rems- but I thinks I would these just to be on the safe side. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

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December 4, 2009, 09:37 AM	#2
dwwhite Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Southwest Tx Posts: 187	I can't see the bullet diameter being an issue. What I can see being a problem is bullet performance. The hornet bullets are designed to perform at relatively low velocities, and using normal .223 loads for a 40 grain bullet, you'll be launching them considerably faster. I don't think they'll be coming apart in the air, but they certainly could explode on target. I guess I mean to say that I might not use them on anything but the smallest game. For target shooting it shouldn't be an issue.

December 4, 2009, 10:44 AM	#3
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	If I understand correctly, these are .223" diameter bullets as used in the earlier Hornet's???? Don't think accuracy would suffer terribly, but the only way you will find out is to shoot them. I'd load light, and hope the fast twist dosen't fling them apart in flight. Not sure how light the jacket is on these. MY biggest fear would be loss of neck tension with the undersized bullet, with the resultant hazard of bullet setback into the case. I'd damn sure load 10-20 rounds and check OAL, before and after chambering, then test accuracy before loading the whole batch up! YMMV. Andy