• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

NRAShooter

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 8, 2008
482
1
Los Angeles, CA
Looking for some accurate load reccomendations using 55 gr FMJBT bulk bullets. Have several thousand plus LC brass and various SR primers. Ideal load will use either RL 15 or Varget.

Anyone?
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

Accurate and FMJBT bulk bullets should not be used in the same sentence.

Good luck

Jerry
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

wish i knew this about FMJBT's before i bought 500!!
how about using IMR 4198 powder. thnking about 18.8gr with my 55gr 223 bullets in my 1-12 twisit rem 700
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

I use H-335, 25 gr. R-P brass. I experienced better accuracy with Horny 55's vs. Winny 55's. However do not expect a tack driver......
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NRAShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looking for some accurate load reccomendations using 55 gr FMJBT bulk bullets. Have several thousand plus LC brass and various SR primers. Ideal load will use either RL 15 or Varget.

Anyone? </div></div>

I'd suggest using a ball powder in a slightly faster burn rate. Since you're loading 55 FMJ's, ultimate accuracy is not generally the primary goal, but pumping out a bunch of "good enough", ie < 2moa, ammo with as little hassle as possible. The stick powders like RL15 or Varget will not feed as well as ball in a progressive and you would need a little more powder for the same velocity. I'd suggest H335, W748, Ramshot Xterminator, AA 2330, or better yet, surplus WCC844. They're essentially the same powder. Save the RL/Varget for your heavier match bullets and spend the time you just saved on shooting more.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

i use 24g of benchmark w the hornady bulk 55s. they shoot a bit better than the winchesters for me. mine will hold right at moa and make great cheap practice rounds. they fall outta the sky around 600yds though. i like them enough i bought 6k awhile back when they were on sale
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

how about some loads for IMR 4198, and 55gr bullets.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

Anyone try running that bullet with IMR4895? I've only loaded at 21grn with CCI #41 primer can I was getting REALLLLLLLY bad pressure signs. I mean primers popping out every 3 rounds and brass going into the extractor on every round. CRAZY.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

25.5gr H335 gets mid 3200's from my 20" rifle upper, Wideners bulk bullets seated to 2.26" OAL will work fine to about 500yd, by the time 600yd rolls up they're flying (or falling) all over the place. Totally unreliable.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

My pet 55fmj load is 24.5 H335,CCI 5.56 primer,Rem brass,and Hornady 55fmj.The hornady 55fmj being the key.They are almost as accurate as vmax in some of my rifles.They usually hold.75 to 1.5 in anygun.I have shot the out to 400 in competition on 10in plates.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

My accuracy load is:

25.6gr TAC for the 55 fmj. Accuracy between 1 to 1.5MOA if I do all the brass prepping steps.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

I use H335. 24.0gr under a Hornady 55gr FMJ.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

I've been using 25.5 grains of RL15 in my AR and mini14 with no problems. I use various types of brass with Winchester SR primers.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

Thanks for everyone's input. Looks like I'll try some H335 and save the RL 15 and Varget for my 77 grain loads.

The 55's are for CQB, off hand and close range postional shooting like over, around and under barricades. No point in using the 77's for blasting targets at less than 100 yards.
 
Re: 223 55 gr FMJBT Load Recc's

IMHO... Piss on H335. I know that won't make some happy. BUT... I have found that surplus 26.5 grains of WC846 with Hornady 55fmjbt is the best shooting load in over 5 various .223 rifles long and short. Great velocities... Over 3000fps in a 16" gas gun(AR) for example. And WC846 is crazy cheap. It's a triple win!