The 5.56mm/.223 Remington is America’s cartridge just as the AR-15 rifle is America’s rifle. The rifle is used for recreational shooting, competition, varmint hunting, medium-sized game hunting, and personal defense. In fact, the same rifle will handle all of these chores—given a skilled shooter. While the rifle is versatile and may fill each role well, no single loading will serve in every pursuit.
The most versatile loads may perform well in two or three roles, but we will find that specialization is a great aid in satisfaction with the rifle. There are highly specialized loads such as the Black Hills Ammunition Varmint Grenade and others such as the Hornady 60-grain V Max that are versatile. Let’s take a look at some of the better choices. It isn’t possible to cover every choice but we may be able to get the rifleman started in the right direction. The loads enumerated have been test-fired in the author’s Colt, Daniel Defense, and Ruger rifles. A number were also fired in a long-serving Bushmaster carbine.
Recreation
I would wager that over 90% of the .223 rounds fired in America are fired for recreational use, in low-stress pursuits. That is certainly true at my house. I have fired my old alarm and excursion Colt HBAR for fun, at varmints and at distant targets often over the past 20 years. I have settled into the bench in pursuit of MOA accuracy. I have practiced tactical drills. However, that was enjoyable. In the event the rifle was called on for real, well, I am very familiar with its capabilities.
For recreational shooting, the best choice is the least expensive, quality ammunition available. We all have brand loyalty and Winchester USA and Remington UMC may be found for a similar price, but sometimes one or the other may be on sale. This factory generic ammunition using a 55-grain FMJ bullet is one of the best choices for plinking and practice. The Federal American Eagle is up to practice and duty use as well as far as that goes.
I have avoided most steel-cased ammunition, and not because it doesn’t function. Foreign powder is often dirty and requires excess effort to scrub the bolt free of carbon deposits. Hornady’s Steel Match is loaded by Hornady and performs as well as most Hornady loads, which is very good to excellent. I now use quite a bit of this load.
However, the one that is found in bulk at a fair price is the one to choose. If you are purchasing loads in bulk I have found that boxer primed brass is longer lived in storage, versus the Berdan primed steel case loads. Just in case, in an emergency situation, a rifle may be loaded with quality practice ball ammunition and you can expect good reliability.
Competition
Competition means different things to different folks. Three gun competition demands reliability, and the loads covered in the recreational section will work well. The National Match, of course, would be another thing. The long-range stages at 3-Gun demand more accuracy. I have used the Federal American Eagle 62-grain Tip at 300 yards. Available in a bulk box, this load would fill the bill at 3-Gun nicely.
A number of competitors use the least expensive 55-grain FMJ possible, then switch to something like Black Hills Ammunition 60-grain JSP at longer range. Recently, I obtained a number of the Fiocchi Canned Heat loads with the 62-grain FMJ bullet. You simply cannot criticize the packaging. The plastic lid is pulled away to reveal another internal barrier similar to wax paper. Overall, it is a good kit for those who like to keep a ready supply in storage.
At long range, names such as Hornady and Sierra dominate the field, and the loads are filled with the individual’s choice of IMR 4895 or Varget. Handloads not only keep costs down, they also allow the rifleman to fine-tune the load. For the rest of us, beginning with the Black Hills Ammunition 52-grain MATCH—an old favorite—we have loads capable of cutting edge accuracy. In heavier bullets, the 75-grain BTHP as loaded by High Precision Down Range (HPR) is never a bad choice. Long-range demands precision. There are several loads that are more accurate than I am able to hold. The 77-grain OTM is the choice of the U.S. Marine Corps and other units. Match the load to your rifle and control the trigger. These loads are excellent choices.
Varmints
The centerfire .22 was conceived as a varmint round. We have managed to get much, much more from the cartridge than first intended. Varmint hunting is a great pastime. The skill demanded crosses over into other fields. As an example, when my younger son graduated from basic training, the best shot in the platoon was a young man from Montana that grew up shooting on the prairie.
Accuracy is important and so is a clean humane kill. Highly frangible bullets are the best choice. These bullets also limit ricochet and preserve public safety. Hornady’s 36-grain NTX is both fast and accurate. I have also used the 40-grain V Max, particularly in the Fiocchi load, and found it clean burning and accurate. Despite the shorter bearing surface, these loads have given excellent results on targets well past 200 yards.
Another favorite is the Black Hills Varmint Grenade. On this subject some years ago, a very poor recommendation was made that law officers and home defenders should use the 40-grain .223. Some actually bought into this, and the choice is a very poor one for personal defense. These bullets are designed to blow up on a pest weighing a few ounces. The bullet would disintegrate on a belt buckle.
The 55-grain JSP is plenty frangible for home defense! Also, these loads sometimes do not function well in service-grade rifles, particularly those that have not been well maintained. The 40-grain V Max by Fiocchi and the Hornady 36-grain NTX each function well in my Colt carbine, but they are varmint and pest loads, not service loads. That being said they are excellent choices for the intended purpose.
Medium-Sized Game
A close friend has dropped a dozen deer in three seasons with a single shot each using the .223 rifle. His Mini 14 was loaded in each case with the Winchester 69-grain JSP. This loading exhibits an excellent balance of expansion and penetrating. It does not fragment but mushrooms like a .30 caliber bullet. Some time ago I researched the .22 Savage High Power, a high-velocity number from 100 years ago. The reason this caliber was not successful, most believe, was due to a lack of proper bullets for taking game. This is no longer true and the .223 Remington can be a good deer taker with proper bullets.
The Winchester Ballistic Silvertip is another good load. These loads expand and hold their weight rather than fragment. Another excellent choice is Barnes 55-grain TSX bullet. I have also tested the 62-grain TSX and find it an excellent all-around loading. These bullets simply give the hunter every advantage. A superbly accurate choice is the Federal Vital Shock 60-grain JSP. This load uses the proven Nosler ballistic tip.
Personal Defense
Personal defense isn’t the same as military use or police service. Those who use the .223 for home defense must concentrate upon reliability and cartridge integrity. The ready rifle, or at least the magazine, may be stored for use. (It is good to load the magazine down 2 in the 20-round renditions and 3 in the 30-round magazines—this releases more than 10% of the pressure on the spring.)
Police shootings usually occur within 50 yards. Most are far shorter. The 55-grain JSP has been used across the board for many years. There are better choices, most of them intended to increase the penetration of the load and decrease fragmentation.
As an example, some years ago an officer attempting to stop a fleeing robbery suspect fired a single 55-grain JSP into a vehicle windshield. The bullet fragmented in the glass. The felon eventually bled out. However, he did so only after traveling some miles with a wound from a bullet fragment. Light cover penetration needed to be enhanced. This is why special teams still rely upon the .308 precision rifle in addition to the AR-15.
The .223 demonstrates less penetration in building materials and home structures than common pistol calibers such as the 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. With standard loads, the results from the 55-grain JSP against felons in the open have been excellent—with a single shot usually taking immediate effect.
This is a good thing for public safety. In this regard, practically every .223 55-grain JSP is a good choice. After considerable research, I adopted the 60-grain JSP as my personal standard some time ago and have seen little reason to change. The cartridge is available in 50-round boxes with training round options available. Another solution to the problem is the Hornady 60-grain A Max loading. Available, affordable, and predictably effective, this loading is versatile and accurate.
Winchester loads the Ballistic Silvertip in premium nickel-plated cases. I have explored the heavier bullets, particularly in light of the excellent results of the 77-grain OTM in the hands of our military marksmen. These heavy bullet loads are certainly formidable, but for my personal use I think the 60-grain loads are best.
The cartridges and loads discussed are all top quality. I have tested each for reliability, accuracy and ballistic performance. In the end, a loading that performs reliably in your personal rifle and which exhibits good accuracy is important. Consider the level of penetration needed and success is assured.
What is your go-to .223 round and for which purpose? Share your thoughts, opinions, and experiences in the comment section.
So, question for you…I’m a new shooter and found an odd situation with ammo the other day…normally I can use the Hornady frontier .223 loads with no issue in my Tavor x95, .223 but I switched (based on a clerks recommendation at the ammo store) to the Hornady .223 varmit round and let me tell you – that was a disaster…bullets jammed, bullet tip punched inwards to itself (I’m sure there’s a specific terminology I should use there but I don’t know how else to describe it). Needless to say I immediately unblocked my rifle and won’t ever use that ammo again. I’m thinking the varmit round (orange tip) I used shouldn’t have been recommended for my specific rifle but I’m not experienced enough to be sure (still won’t ever use it again)? Is that what happened here do you think? I’d ask the clerk but honestly not sure if I’d trust his opinion. Also, what do you think would be the best ammo to use in that specific rifle?
Tell me about 69 gr winchester jsp, would like to buy it but can’t find that bullett anywhere? Do they still make it?
Would a 223 with a hunting load be enough for wild boar
A heavy (60 gr Partition and up) will do the job if it’s bonded and put into the right spot. Neck/head or behind the shoulder into the chest. Have taken them to 275# with a .223 and .22-250.
Will.
I thought the load was determined by the barrel length and twist rate?
And the mission as well.
40 grains for varmints
77 grain for long range
55 grain JSP for defense– etc
The writer should have mention that the bullet weight also depends heavy on your barrel twist for accuracy. (Example: 77 grain 223 rounds do not hold well using a 1:9 twist barrel)
I used to follow the “name-brand” thing on ammo, until I began to look more deeply into what it’s comprised of. The “bullet”/projectile and the brass(case). I’m not an chem eng type, so I can’t grade powders. I can however, look for the same bullet type, in different round configurations. That Barnes 62grTSX, can be had form several mfgr’s. The one that seemed to have the faster time was the Trajtech. It has a little more umph than the Cor Bon 62gr TSX, while keeping the same accuracy. Still have my Grn-tips for general use, while using the Trajtech’s for pd….They are also still good for med/long distance too.
My 14 year old granddaughter is an aspiring deer hunter. She is not a real big girl so the adjustable stock and light recoil of my AR leads me to believe that it would be a good weapon for her. My biggest concern is the fact that most 223/556 hunting ammo is only loaded with 60 to 65 grain bullets. Is that enough lead to throw at a good sized Kentucky whitetail or do I need to be looking for a youth model 243?
Sir,
The Hornady Full boar would be a good choice.
My choice would be the Winchester 69 grain JSP in this case.
or one of the Black Hills loads with the Barnes bullet in 62 grains. And shoot straight!
What I’m just trying to find out is the thoughts on PMC ammo. Everybody talks bout Winchester Hornady Black Hills but nobody mentions PMC. I just want the pros input o this ammo. My AR likes the 62 grain
Search is your friend. Plenty of reviews out there.
https://www.google.com/search?q=pmc+223+review&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Phil, when I first got my AR, I bought several brands and types of factory ammunition, to see what this particular rifle (Windham Weaponry ‘carbon fiber’) liked.
I did pretty good with the Remington 55gr. FMJ, getting around 1.5-1.75″ accuracy.
I also bought some Fiocci 55gr. FMJ, getting around 1.25-1.5″ accuracy, and I thought that would be a good ‘baseline’ for comparison to the hand loads I would be developing.
However, then I tried the PMC ‘X-Tac’ 62gr. FMJ, and found that my 16″ 1:9 twist AR really liked that!
I had several groups in the 1″ range, and I couldn’t believe it. Some groups opened up a bit, but a storm front was moving in at that time, so the larger groups were probably from the gusty winds.
I, personally, wouldn’t hesitate to buy more of the PMC 62gr., though.
Keep in mind, though, every rifle will have its own likes and dislikes when it comes to ammunition. You’ll just have to pick up several brands and types, and see what yours likes.
Wow. Not one single mention even in the comments of the Speer Gold Dot 64 grain??? I’ve been an LEO for 15 years and a pistol/rifle instructor for 10 years. Out of all the extensive testing shooting through barriers into ballistic gel this round outperforms all of its competitors every time. It is used by every law enforcement agency in my state. For me this is my go to 223 round. I also use it for coyotes and deer with excellent results.
I also forgot to mention that those 55 grain V max and the Fiochii loads are absolutely amazing on small critters. I have shot hundreds of prairie dogs, jack rabbits and even crows and the devastation is astounding to say the least. That being said, I shot a coyote in the chest at 50 yards once with a 55 grain V max. He seized up, fell over and I thought he was dead. About 15 seconds later he jumped up and ran away like nothing happened. I never used that round again for coyotes.
The local swat team used the winchester silvertip ballistic, so i picked up several boxes when on sale. most likely thing it’s going to be used on however is coyotes, so that’s the main reason it’s the first magazine with the rifle. (it’s actually my wife’s rifle, I have the shotgun and handgun so far, along with the .308 bolt action. Still working on the collection as funds allow)
Like the author said, not all loads work for all purposes.
One thing also commented on in lots of forums, if all you want is to buy one bulk ammo, the 55 grain has a much greater tendency to tumble when hitting an object or person than does the 62 grain, which just pokes holes straight through.
I have found the best cartridge is the one your rifle shoots the most accurate. My Rock River lar15 shoots the tightest groups with Norma 55 grain. I never believed one cartridge is better than the other but one should try various cartridges to see which has the best groups. I would stay away from the Russian ammo unless you love cleaning a rifle.
“It is good to load the magazine down 2 in the 20-round renditions and 3 in the 30-round magazines—this releases more than 10% of the pressure on the spring.” When will this myth die?
When will this myth die?
Probably when the last person who heard it in Army Basic Training dies.
Not everything works every time on everything, every time. After 31 years in law enforcement and a combat tour with the 82nd Airborne, I have seen bad guys dropped first time with a high shoulder hit, as well as determined felons take (3) 45cal. 230gr JHPs in the abdomen and chest and continue to resist….actively.
IMHO, find what your preferred carry likes to eat and you are comfortable using. Bullet placement is also essential. Not too many can brag about getting up after a heart shot or cranial ventilation.
That said, I keep a Rock River loaded to 18 with 55gr HP handy at home, a Mossberg 500 with High Brass, copper plated #0 Buckshot, and my pocket carry is a Ruger LCP loaded with Black Talon ammo.
What do I have to be scared of? Not a damn thing. If it bleeds, you can kill it.
I like the info but, talk about barrel twist that does have a bearing
on weight and, accuracy.
My go to AR is a home made carbine with a 16″ floated Double Star ultra light barrel 1 in 9 twist. It likes my hand loads using Fed cases a 52 gr Sierra MK in front of Varget powder. It will shoot a honest 4″ 10 shot group at 425 yards off a bag rest using 14 power scope.
You guys always talk about Fiocchi, Winchester, Barnes, Black Hills but nobody ever mentions PMC. This is ammo that is readily available where I live. What are your thoughts on this ammo?
I love PMC myself, the 62 grain XTAC load. Been buying and shooting the stuff for years with quite a few cases stocked away. Always clean, surefire and accurate enough. Usually 1 to 1.5 moa groups from a rested position like off my pack or a bench. I love the stuff. Never a single problem. I took a few boxes and left them outside all winter, put them in the freezer for a month in a plastic bag full of water…left them in same bag mostly drained out for the summer. After all that temp change and moisture every single round fired fine. Good stuff.
I love the 55gr PMC Bronze. I’ve never had any problems with it and I can usually find it in bulk for a good price.
You didn’t discuss that the rate of twist of the barrel will affect different bullet weights.
I have a 1:99 twist on mine, and conventional wisdom says only lighter bullets will work, but I’ve been experimenting with 7 different bullets, from 40gr Hornady v-max, 55gr PSP, FMJ, 60gr, 62gr, 69gr and 75gr V-max, all at different powders (I’M 4895, BLC (2), .223, etc), and lower and higher ends of loadings.
A lot of fun, and sometimes I actually stumble onto a load that works.
Still working on it, when I can, and by mid-spring, should have several loads that work well.
I have a remington 700 223. What is the best ammunition for distance
A Sierra Matchking 77gr OTM reloads or loaded by someone like Black Hills would be a great starting place. This will also be the most expensive route.
There are several good rounds made by several different companies in the 60-69gr range.
You want to look for a round with a high ballistic coefficient.
Fed. box says 60gr Partition…..You say Ballistic Tip. Which is it?
I have a Remington 700 Varmint rifle with the laminate stock. It has a barrel rifling rate of 1 in 12 I believe, so it doesn’t like heavy bullets (not enough spin to stabilize the bullet). It loves the Fiocchi 40 grain and 50 grain V-Max loads. It will shoot 1/2 inch 10 shot groups at 100 yards. I haven’t had the chance to shoot groups any further yet but did hit a golf ball with one shot at 200 yards.
Reliability is the first and foremost concern. Change out your quality defense ammo yearly and rotate your magazines monthly. Just my $.02