Bullets and brass basic questions

[M198gunner]

So,

Slowly working to acquire reloading components. Now looking to pick up bullets.

With the bullets I am just looking to acquire some in 38 special, 9mm, 40SW, 45 acp, 223 and 308. Looking for just good all around general shooting bullets that will give decent accuracy for plinking and shooting drills. Not sure if that is a great question or to general but that is what I need. Not looking for precision bullets in the rifle for true long range right now. Will pick up those once I better learn the art. Just want some to stock up with and begin learning reloading.

So, with that info here are my questions:
1. What are good general bullets to buy for each? Have been looking at Hornady in general and the SS109 for 223.
2. What is a fair price per 1,000 or if easier per bullet?


Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[M14 Shooter]

For the pistol you may want to try some plated bullets(lead bullet with thin coating of copper on them) . They will be cheaper than FMJ bullets.I would recommend that you try several brands in small lots and see what your pistol like.Before you order a bunch.The only draw back to plated bullets is you can not push they as fast as a FMJ bullet.
For your 223 200 Yards and under try the Hornaday 55 Grain FMJ will shoot under a MOA.This bullet can be bought in bulk for .085 cents apiece.For 300-600 try 75-77 Grain Bullets.(You will need a 1-7 or 1-8 twist barrel to shoot the75-77 grain pills.)
For 308 most 155 Grain Match bullets will do well out to 600 Yards Plus.The 175 SMK or 178 Hornaday is a good bullet out to 1K.

The key is to find a good bullet and load that you rifle and pistol will like.It will take some time and testing to come up with that combo.For plinking bulk bullets are ok .But when you want to shoot precision do not cheap out on the bullets or brass.It will just cause you problems.
Go to your local club and matches and see what the other folks are using.You will probably find a bunch of shooters willing to help you out and give you some pointers.
Hope this helps.
Regards,Mike

 

[M198gunner]

M14 shooter,

Any advice on what I should be looking to pay? I ask as I know current prices include markup due to recent issues.

 

[M14 Shooter]

Wideners usually sells the 55 Grain 223 from .09-.11 cents apiece.Pats Reloading usually sells bulk 75 Grain 223 bullets for about $150 a thousand.30 Cal 308 175SMK usually go for about $160 per 500.The problem is finding bullets in stock.The places that have them in stock currently are usually the companies that are charging a premium. Powder Valley and Grafs usually have good pricing as well but many items may be back ordered.I would also check with some of the Hide Vendors.They usually do a great job providing providing items at very fair pricing.

Regards,Mike

 

[woostri]

For handgun (9mm and 10mm) I've successfully used Berry's plated bullets. They were the cheapest several years ago. I think they ran $75 for 1000 bullets but that was a while back. Surprisingly they are just as accurate if not more when compared to Winchester white box. For 308 I've used remington 150 gr fmjs for cheap shooting.

--- aim small miss small ---

 

[Pinecone]

For handguns, I pretty much shoot cast lead. Only plated for indoor ranges that require no exposed lead. Cast lead are cheaper. And I have not had leading problems. And I have shot 10s of thousands.

For .223/5.56, the "standard" bullet is the 55 grain FMJ BT. Lots of people make them. They range from about $90 per thousand to around $150 per thousand, depending on who is selling them. At longer ranges, the 68-69 grain or 75-77 grain bullets work better. But 55s will reach out several hundred yards.

For .308, the military bullet is a 147 grain FMJ BT, and you can find them surplus or similar. Not the most accurate bullet, but they are pretty cheap. I haven't bought any recently, so not sure of the exact cost. For better accuracy, out to 700 - 800 yards, look to the 168 Sierra Match King or similar (Hornady Match). For longer ranges, the 175 grainn ones work better. You can find pulled or "seconds" from Grafs or Powder Valley.

These days, you get what you can get, from where ever you can get them. Better than a few months ago, but still not order exactly what you want from one of several suppliers when ever you want to.

 

[Monmouth]

I like Montana Gold for pistol and .223

 

[velillen]

I use Xtreme Plated Bullets pretty much exclusively in handguns. In MY experience (again my own opinion) they are superior to the other plated bullets. The couple i have done cross sections the plating has been thicker than Berry's or Rainier. Nothing wrong with berrys or Rainier though but Xtreme you can run them much faster (they even suggest using FMJ data on their website). Used them in 9mm, 357mag, 10mm, 44mag, 45acp, all with zero issues. Love them for shooting my 9 and 45 suppressed. However prices have gone up. So i am leaning towards using lead myself when possible (though havent made the switch yet).

Cast is another good option and there are tons of options there as well. You *should* be able to get the cheaper than plated. Just depends on who you buy for and exactly what bullet you want. For example Xtremem 180gr RNFP is 58 for 500. You can get a lead 180gr TCFP for 41 for 500. Shop around and you can find exactly what you are looking for.


For rifle ive been using the Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT for plinking and it does give MOA results with surplus brass and surplus powder. You can often find them in a bulk package of 6k bullets for $500 which isnt a bad idea at all.
For 308...seconds all the way! Its all i have shot and i get subMOA with them. Ive used the 147gr and 150gr seconds from grafs and they are ok. Price wise isnt to bad on them but i cant remember what i paid to be honest. And i onnly use them in my 300blackout for supersoni rounds. My 308 goes almost exclusively to 175gr "seconds" from powder valley.



But really any bullet from any of the big names (and most of the smaller names!) work great and are worth your money. its all about a value vs results. If you want to be as cheap as possible you can expect to shoot a .2moa group at 600 yards. But you can shoot lots of times. if you want results then you can get that .2MOA but you will be spending more for the same amount of bullets as the value bullets. So find your happy medium and just have fun! For me its plated bullets (and soon to be cast) in handguns and seconds in rifles.

 

[M198gunner]

All,

Truly appreciate the input. With reloading I have much to learn, currently reading up before I start in Aug when I get back to the states.

I get pm's on a good buys and to date have been late when I finally can check.

Again, thanks