I’m looking to load up a thousand or two “premium” style loads, primarily for my .223 bolt gun. Because of the volume, I’m looking for what you all have found to be the cheapest yet still accurate bullet.
Right now, my go-to factory load is the Hornady match 75gr BTHP. This gun is very accurate with that load out to 600, and this is what I’d like to achieve, without spending $750 per 1000. I’m reloading some different bullets, looking for accuracy, and I’m happy with the Sierra 69gr BTHP match bullets, but they’re not cheap.
Secondary rifle that I may shoot some of these bullets in (and may develop a specific load for): AR-15 with 20" SS barrel, 1-8 twist, QD suppressor.
Components that I’ll probably be using for these rounds: Hornady brass, CCI sr primers, Varget, put together on a 550, with Lee FCD in case they go in the AR.
Thanks for the info- Sounds like I’ll be sticking with the SMK bullets. So far I’ve had good luck with the Varget metering well through my Dillon, if I notice issues I’ll try the H322.
I’ve been most pleased with SMKs shooting well across multiple guns with the same load. Other bullets are a one-off as to if they shoot well for me in my guns.
I’d try RE-15 through the Dillon or 8208 XBR before moving to ball powder, the finer sticks flow better and have been more consistent for me than ball powders (on target).
After finally making the decision to get a bunch of 69gr SMK bullets, I found a great price on the Hornady 75gr match BTHP bullets. I ordered 1200 of those instead. The factory Hornady 75gr match loaded ammo is my favorite commercial load in my 700, so I’ll try to duplicate that load.
I’ll probably end up with both the 69gr SMK and the Hornady bullets eventually…
Sunsandsurf
What bolt gun you using? I just picked up a Savage Hunter 11 .223 Rem and it shoots the 69 gr SMK very well -just taged a yote the other day at 186 yards one shot drop. It also shoots the 75 gr AMax very well even though its a 1:9’ twist and I can get them running at almost 2900 fps…