Topic: Realistically what kind of groups do you guys get from bulk .223 ammo?

[Nealio]

I'm looking to build a 3-gun AR and I'm wondering what kind of accuracy to expect out of bulk ammo.  Has anyone got any good groups from any of the bulk stuff such as the .223 Federal 55gr FMJ or 62gr FMJ, 5.56 Lake City XM193, 5.56 Federal Lake City XM193CBP boat tail...? 
I've only shot handloads out of my 24" match AR, and it shoots .25-.5 MOA and I'm sure I can't get close to that, but what could I expect?
I'm looking to run a White Oak 18" SPR barrel..
Thanks,
 -Nealio

[Bill, Idaho]

We get about a minute-and-a-half out of our patrol rifles using Sheepdog .223. ( I must also say with absolutely no problems)  Good stuff.
  A couple of years ago I bought a case of whatever that stuff is in the bright orange box from Montana(I think). Out of a Colt A3, I could never get better than about two-and-a-half to three minutes.
 

[Nealio]

Minute and a half isn't bad. Was that out of that Colt A3 ?

[carharttfarmer]

i get 1.5to 2inch out  of wolf and tula 55gr thats out of a delton 16inch

[shotokan94]

I get great accuracy out of Tula and wolf, but for 3gun, I would stay away from the steel stuff. A jam with that stuff at a competition is not worth it.  Look at PMC, Federal, Lake City. Ive done well with all of these

[Nomad]

 You can plan on 1 1/2 groups with most bulk and if you buy match in bulk
you get better stuff..........

[luvmy45]

I run BK223 bulk packs, they come in 500 to 1000 packs (depending on how many I load at a time.)

I can easily get MOT out to 400yards. (Minute of Target)

And I just found out this weekend that I can also double tap targets with an AR from a moving golf cart pretty easily. 

[carharttfarmer]

I run BK223 bulk packs, they come in 500 to 1000 packs (depending on how many I load at a time.)

I can easily get MOT out to 400yards. (Minute of Target)

And I just found out this weekend that I can also double tap targets with an AR from a moving golf cart pretty easily. 

that just meens the golfcart isnt moving fast enough

[luvmy45]

Golf carts don't move fast enough as it is... 

[Nealio]

I run BK223 bulk packs, they come in 500 to 1000 packs (depending on how many I load at a time.)

I can easily get MOT out to 400yards. (Minute of Target)

And I just found out this weekend that I can also double tap targets with an AR from a moving golf cart pretty easily. 

yeah like I said I can get wicked accuracy out of my handloads.  However loading rifle sucks, so I think I'd rather just buy some bulk..

[luvmy45]

I used to think so as well, and if I have to do everything from start to finish at one time it does. But if you break it down it's not so bad.

I process all my brass at once with a Dillon power trimmer. After I clean it, I lube, decap, size and trim in one stage.

Then I run through the polisher to clean the lube off.

Set the brass aside till I'm ready to load it up, I have a couple thousand brass ready to go just sitting there.

Now when I'm ready to load, I switch toolheads and all I have to do is prime, throw powder and place bullet and I'm done, ready to roll.

If you process the brass in bulk and before your ready for it, you can load rifle round pretty quickly. I can do about 400/hour in my press if I have all the other stuff done, so it doesn't take long to load up a 1k of ammo for plinking, 3 gun and what not in about a weeks time.

[Grumblecakes]

Breaking down is about the only way to do it. I try and process, tumble,size,trim, tumble within a day of getting back from the range. If I don't I end up with 1-2k pieces sitting around and I takes weeks for me to get it done. I do all my reloading on a lee hand press, so I don't wanna hear any bellyaching

[carharttfarmer]

yeah like I said I can get wicked accuracy out of my handloads.  However loading rifle sucks, so I think I'd rather just buy some bulk..

thats why i like the wolf /tula its cheap enough i can live with it and not spending the time to hunt down ever single piece of brass is nice
but i do have about 4k of brass and bullets ready to load but even on the progressive its still a pain


bk how do you load 400hr my hand would be a numb stump from grabing all those tiny bullets

[luvmy45]

bk how do you load 400hr my hand would be a numb stump from grabing all those tiny bullets

The secret is to keep the bullet tray filled up, so that you can just reach down and grab one... if the tray is full, you don't have to hunt around and pickup the exact one that is there, you can just grab and go. 

[carharttfarmer]

i try to keep a full box of 1k to make grabing them easy but still is a pain to do several 100 at a time

[tgibson]

I get about 1 MOA out of Sheepdogs 68gr AMAX.  I shot them this weekend and went one for one on the 220y targets with a full value 8-10 mph wind.  I have shot them all over the country and they have worked flawlessley for me. 
Adios,
TG