Quote:
Originally Posted by frazod
Thanks. I assume we'll end up going with both of these - my buddy and I were discussing getting a trimmer last night.
What are your thoughts on bullets? Do you have any suppliers you recommend?
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All things being equal, I prefer Sierra. However, like everything it will depend on your wants/needs and also your rifle.
Why I like Sierra:
- I've toured their factory, it is high tech, state of the art
- their bullets are incredibly high quality, and their "seconds" often look better than some competitors
- They support the sport, big time
- their bulletsmiths are a very useful resource, and they will helpfully talk to you ad nauseum
- their bullets are competition proven and war prove (the mk 262 ammo uses Sierra Match King 77 grainers)
- they are a missouri company
- they offer "factory seconds" at a fantastic price if you can get to their factory to pick them up
I have tried probably 10-12 bullets in my rifle, and it likes two the best:
69 grain Sierra Hollow Point Boat Tails, and 55 grain Hornady V-Max.
That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because those bullets are pretty damn different, but is what I have found.
You need to match bullet weight/length to your twist rate in the barrel. Mine is 1 in 8. 1 in 7 can shoot anything from 55-80 grains. 1 in 8 generally is in the same range. 1 in 9 is common and generally limits the use of the 77 and higher grain bullets, but 55 grainers usually shoot well. 1 in 12 and I would only shoot 55 and lower probably. But like everything, differences in individual barrels and bullets matter and the numbers are only a starting point.
You really can't go wrong with Sierra, Hornady, or Nosler right now though. 3 very good manufacturers.
I find boat tailed bullets to be a little bit easier to reload because they sit on the case better. I am generally limited to about 300 yards, so I don't see much if any accuracy difference with them. I think cannellures are unnecessary (at least for .223), and frankly like to load my rounds pretty long anyway, so they are actually a hindrance. Hollow points shoot better than everything else generally. FMJ generally shoots worse than everything else.