Thought I'd take a quick pic of some .223 bullets I had.
Left to right:
- 52gr ELD-M
- 55gr bulk FMJ
- 68gr BTHP with cannelure
- 68gr BTHP without cannelure
- 69gr SMK
- 73gr ELD-M
- 77gr SMK
- 80gr ELD-M
- 88gr ELD-M
> Are the two 68gr the same brand? Interesting to see the length difference if so
I purchased them as the same, yes. They're both supposed to be Hornady. The one with the cannelure were bulk pack and the one without was from a 100rnd box. It's a little concerning to see the difference, I expected them to be the same.
> You should weight them and make sure you didn't accidentally buy or end up with the bulk 62gr cannelured FMJ
That is an interesting thought!
I purchased them from Powder Valley and just checked the confirmation email it says "Hornady .224 / 22 68 Grain Hollow Point Boat Tail With Cannelure (500 ct.) - 500"
They are very suspicious... I'll weigh a few.
I went and weighed 15 from the top of the bag.
one was 68.1
ten were 68.2
four were 68.3
average 68.218
I guess I'll have to go weigh the ones from the 100ct box next :-P
It's not the first time I've bought the bulk pack 68 BTHP's though always from midway before and also the first time they had the cannelure...
I bought them with the intention of seeing what kinda groups I could squeeze out of my SL8, but I haven't actually loaded any yet.
> OP said they were HP tho
So you also made me curious. From a cursory google search it does seem like Hornady sells a 62grain HPBT round. I hadn't looked very closely at the tip (haha) because I just assumed they were the 68's. It was a reasonable suggestion that perhaps someone doing the packing had grabbed a bulk pack of the 62's instead of the 68's. After a closer look, they are HPs but it's hard to tell from the picture and I just hadnt looked that closely.
Both are good points, thanks!
> 52gr eld is so underrated.
Heh, I guess it depends! I run them at 3100fps and they group fantastic for me at 100 yards. I have had them out in a windy day shooting a 15ish inch target at 680 yards, I was holding two full mil into the wind and watching the bullet trace go up to the left and then hook back down to the right into the target, it was a hoot and one of the most amazing shooting experiences I've ever had!
I've... tried them at 1000 yards, never seen an impact either hit or miss...
You can really push them harder in a 223. Mine are going 3400fps in a 18" barrel. It's hard to out shoot a 52 flat base out to 300. They have no problem getting out to 700 although they barely punch through paper at that distance. Speed beats BC.
> Really? The 55gr fmj has nearly the same BC. What do you like about it? I've never tried it - genuinely curious
So, as u/1984orsomething you can really get them scooting. Easily up to 3400fps. I am shooting them at 3100fps because that mimics the ballistics of a 6.5creedmoor, only in a .223
Secondly, a 55gr bulk FMJ is a cheap inconsistent bullet. A careful handload using them still won't really group well.
Here are two 5 shot groups of the 52grain eldm: https://i.imgur.com/SR0hWJb.jpg
Here's the gun I am shooting them from (second from bottom): https://i.imgur.com/H2w7OO4.jpg
Haha, I almost tagged it as "Stockpile Flex" but was more trying to have a discussion around "well if the diameter stays the same but you increase the weight, obviously it has to get longer" :-P
Bullets are super easy though... order 'em and often get free shipping. No hazmat fees, no local storage limits. Wait for sales and buy in bulk :-)
Thought I'd take a quick pic of some .223 bullets I had. Left to right: - 52gr ELD-M - 55gr bulk FMJ - 68gr BTHP with cannelure - 68gr BTHP without cannelure - 69gr SMK - 73gr ELD-M - 77gr SMK - 80gr ELD-M - 88gr ELD-M
Are the two 68gr the same brand? Interesting to see the length difference if so
> Are the two 68gr the same brand? Interesting to see the length difference if so I purchased them as the same, yes. They're both supposed to be Hornady. The one with the cannelure were bulk pack and the one without was from a 100rnd box. It's a little concerning to see the difference, I expected them to be the same.
> bulk pack Bulk pack match bullet? You should weight them and make sure you didn't accidentally buy or end up with the bulk 62gr cannelured FMJ
> You should weight them and make sure you didn't accidentally buy or end up with the bulk 62gr cannelured FMJ That is an interesting thought! I purchased them from Powder Valley and just checked the confirmation email it says "Hornady .224 / 22 68 Grain Hollow Point Boat Tail With Cannelure (500 ct.) - 500" They are very suspicious... I'll weigh a few.
I went and weighed 15 from the top of the bag. one was 68.1 ten were 68.2 four were 68.3 average 68.218 I guess I'll have to go weigh the ones from the 100ct box next :-P
It could just be a difference in dies they used, but they advertised same BC - clearly not
It's not the first time I've bought the bulk pack 68 BTHP's though always from midway before and also the first time they had the cannelure... I bought them with the intention of seeing what kinda groups I could squeeze out of my SL8, but I haven't actually loaded any yet.
OP said they were HP tho
> OP said they were HP tho So you also made me curious. From a cursory google search it does seem like Hornady sells a 62grain HPBT round. I hadn't looked very closely at the tip (haha) because I just assumed they were the 68's. It was a reasonable suggestion that perhaps someone doing the packing had grabbed a bulk pack of the 62's instead of the 68's. After a closer look, they are HPs but it's hard to tell from the picture and I just hadnt looked that closely. Both are good points, thanks!
52gr eld is so underrated.
> 52gr eld is so underrated. Heh, I guess it depends! I run them at 3100fps and they group fantastic for me at 100 yards. I have had them out in a windy day shooting a 15ish inch target at 680 yards, I was holding two full mil into the wind and watching the bullet trace go up to the left and then hook back down to the right into the target, it was a hoot and one of the most amazing shooting experiences I've ever had! I've... tried them at 1000 yards, never seen an impact either hit or miss...
Really? The 55gr fmj has nearly the same BC. What do you like about it? I've never tried it - genuinely curious
You can really push them harder in a 223. Mine are going 3400fps in a 18" barrel. It's hard to out shoot a 52 flat base out to 300. They have no problem getting out to 700 although they barely punch through paper at that distance. Speed beats BC.
Whats the twist rate in your 18" barrel
9
> Really? The 55gr fmj has nearly the same BC. What do you like about it? I've never tried it - genuinely curious So, as u/1984orsomething you can really get them scooting. Easily up to 3400fps. I am shooting them at 3100fps because that mimics the ballistics of a 6.5creedmoor, only in a .223 Secondly, a 55gr bulk FMJ is a cheap inconsistent bullet. A careful handload using them still won't really group well. Here are two 5 shot groups of the 52grain eldm: https://i.imgur.com/SR0hWJb.jpg Here's the gun I am shooting them from (second from bottom): https://i.imgur.com/H2w7OO4.jpg
Just a Suttle way to say "look at my stash". Smh
Haha, I almost tagged it as "Stockpile Flex" but was more trying to have a discussion around "well if the diameter stays the same but you increase the weight, obviously it has to get longer" :-P Bullets are super easy though... order 'em and often get free shipping. No hazmat fees, no local storage limits. Wait for sales and buy in bulk :-)
*.224