.223 68 grain Hornady Match sucks! - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .223 68 grain Hornady Match sucks!

Posted: 2/16/2018 11:02:27 PM EDT

I went to sight my new rifle and scope in today. Started at 50 yards to make sure I was on paper, and here are the results:

These ten round groups were shot with 68 grain Hornady Match ammunition at 50 yards. My POA on the first target was six o'clock on the target.

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Attached File

To rule out the rifle or me as the problem I shot 10 rounds of 55 grain Wolf Gold:

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Attached File

In total I shot forty rounds of the 68 grain Hornady Match. All of my "groups" with the ammunition were similar to the group pictured.

My upper was purchased from DSG Arms, it was test fired by DSG employees to ensure MOA accuracy at 100 yards using match ammunition, and has the following specifications:

Attached File

16" 1:8 inch twist mid length match grade barrel
Black nitride BCG
BCM 15" KMR Alpha rail
Kahles k16i scope on a Larue mount
Mega Arms lower with Hiperfire 3G trigger

I am certain the rifle is not the problem. Unfortunately, I did not have any other ammunition to test it with. I will be testing it with 69 grain SMK Match ammunition from Stillwood that works great out of a JP 1:8 twist barrel.

The purpose of the post is learn about other shooter's experiences with this round, and to pass the word on regarding my experience with it.

Posted: 2/16/2018 11:45:19 PM EDT

[#1]

That bullet has always been unreliable. Some lots will shoot great, others wouldn't shoot into a mountain.

I have never tried the loaded ammunition, only handloads, but I will never buy those bullets again on purpose.

Posted: 2/16/2018 11:45:42 PM EDT

[#2]

Sometimes certain rifles don't like certain ammo. Or could be a problem with that lot of ammo.

I've used that particular load before. I remember it being near as dammit to some Federal Gold Medal Match 69 SMKs on the day I was shooting it in the rifle I was using.

Also, not trying to be a smart ass or doubting your ability etc.., but that's quite a large looking spread for 50 yards.

Posted: 2/16/2018 11:48:38 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
That bullet has always been unreliable. Some lots will shoot great, others wouldn't shoot into a mountain.

I have never tried the loaded ammunition, only handloads, but I will never buy those bullets again on purpose.

View Quote

Wonder if it's something to do with the manufacture process of those 68 grain .224 bullets has something inherently off about. I've loaded a shitload of Hornady .308 168 BTHPS and they are very consistent.

You're not the 1st person I've heard say that about loading the 68 grain BTHPs.

Posted: 2/16/2018 11:58:11 PM EDT

[#4]

The ones I handload shoot pretty good. Some barrels don't seem to like them.

Posted: 2/17/2018 12:44:09 AM EDT

[#5]

Factory 68 from Hornady does indeed suck. However, loading my own in LC cases from various lots using 25 grains of CFE 223 and BR4 primers gave me 3/4 MOA at 100 yards. Should be close to 2800 feet per second according to the book.

I don't chronograph my loads.

Posted: 2/17/2018 9:24:07 AM EDT

[#6]

It has been more accurate than that for me, but it is way so slow for my taste.

Posted: 2/17/2018 9:37:20 AM EDT

[#7]

Your barrel certainly doesn't like that factory load.

While frustrating, it doesn't surprise me.

Hornady 68gr bullets ( IMHO ) can be fussy.

Posted: 2/17/2018 10:07:57 AM EDT

[#8]

Is that a 5.56 barrel or a Wylde .223/5.56. I ran some of those through my Wylde barrel the other day during break in and they shot a lot better than that. They shoot lousy in my 5.56 Bishop and Noveske but not as bad as yours.

Posted: 2/17/2018 10:11:53 AM EDT

[#9]

I’ve had similar results in my larue’s. The outback ammo and ppu match shoot much better, for half price.

Posted: 2/17/2018 10:34:22 AM EDT

[#10]

Sure seems like your rifle doesn't like that stuff.

Some times a bullet will be somewhat funky at shorter distances but be fine at longer distances .
I have a RRNM service rifle that shoots the sierra 52 and 53 matchkings into tiny little groups at 100 yards but the 69gr matchkings are 2 or 3MOA at 100 . They are pretty nice at 200 (about 1MOA)

Some of the hot shot competition guys talk of "settling", I guess that means the bullet has a bit of a wobble as it exits the bore and it takes a bit to settle down.

The OPs case seems to be too extreme but if he still has any of that ammo left I would encourage him to give it a try at 100 or 200 yards for giggles,

Posted: 2/17/2018 12:48:53 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is that a 5.56 barrel or a Wylde .223/5.56. I ran some of those through my Wylde barrel the other day during break in and they shot a lot better than that. They shoot lousy in my 5.56 Bishop and Noveske but not as bad as yours.

View Quote

It's marked 223 Wylde:

https://dsgarms.com/kt-dsghu-m4-bcm-match-15

Posted: 2/17/2018 6:23:01 PM EDT

[#12]

Boat tail

Posted: 2/17/2018 6:46:15 PM EDT

[#13]

I had similar results from Hornady 75gr Match

Posted: 2/18/2018 11:16:04 PM EDT

[#14]

My Aero precision M4E1 upper doesnt like hornady either. 75gr shoots like 3moa 68gr otm from Aysm shoots sub moa.

OP get some Federal Gold Medal Match and report back

Posted: 2/19/2018 11:56:10 PM EDT

[#15]

The Hornady match bullets in the heaiver weights in 223 are longer than Serria heavy match bullets, a1 in 7 might sing for you with the hornady's.
Try serrias or ppu match, shorter bullets.

Posted: 2/20/2018 10:27:17 AM EDT

[#16]

I never could get that bullet to shoot in a 20" Sabre Defence 223 stainless upper. Tried all kinds of loads.

Posted: 2/22/2018 1:25:08 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
The Hornady match bullets in the heaiver weights in 223 are longer than Serria heavy match bullets, a1 in 7 might sing for you with the hornady's.
Try serrias or ppu match, shorter bullets.

View Quote

I have one rifle that shoots Hornady 75 and 68 gr, Sierra 77's and 69's, and PPI 75's pretty much the same, although it wants H335 under the 69/68's.

My other rifle pretty much refused to put holes on a sheet of paper with the 68 and 69 loads, or any factory load of that type, but groups slightly tighter with PPU and Hornady 75's.

Both are 1:7 twist. Some rifles really do have rather strong preferences, especially past 100 yards.

Posted: 2/22/2018 7:07:13 PM EDT

[#18]

This thread generated some quality feedback. I've ordered a few different rounds, and they should be here tomorrow. I'll shoot them next week and update this post with the results.

Posted: 2/22/2018 7:21:23 PM EDT

[#19]

I'm interested in the outcome.

My 1/8 18" loves 69 FGMM. It's the only factory match ammunition in any of the match weights that does really good for being factory.

77's do great but there is no factory that it shoots good with unless I'm loading my own and with load development.

ETA, spelling

Posted: 2/22/2018 9:39:12 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm interested in the outcome.

My 1/8 18" loves 69 FGMM. It's the only factory match ammunition in any of the match weights that does really good for being factory.

77's do grwat but there is no factory that it shoots good with unless I'm loading my own and wi2load development.

View Quote

I picked up some PPU, Fiocchi, and will also get some 69 grain remanufactured ammo from Stillwood that has proven itself in a JP barrel with a 1:8 twist.

I did did not get the FGMM because $1 per round gets pricey when you're shooting it in a 3-gun competition. However, if these lower priced alternatives don't pan out I will consider it.

Posted: 2/22/2018 10:38:02 PM EDT

[#21]

PPU 69 gr match shoots great for me and cheap too.

Posted: 2/24/2018 9:23:20 PM EDT

[#22]

Blackhills 68/69 gr BTHP is intended for 1x10 twist or faster. It didn't like any of my 1x7 barrels.

Blackhills 75/77 gr BTHP is for 1x7 to 1x9 twist. Group was better with this.

Posted: 2/27/2018 8:45:15 PM EDT

[#23]

Attached File

The lighting is poor, but that is five rounds of 69 grain PPU. The target was set at 50 yards, and the black square is one inch by one inch. I'll test it at 200 yards when I can get to the outdoor range. The PPU is the cheapest of the four rounds I have tested with this gun, and also the most accurate.

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A second group of 69 grain PPU at 50 yards.

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77 grain Fiocchi at 50 yards.

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This was 75 grain Fiocchi at 50 yards. I rushed this group, and undoubtedly believe I could have shot it tighter had I taken the time.

Posted: 2/27/2018 8:49:13 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
That bullet has always been unreliable. Some lots will shoot great, others wouldn't shoot into a mountain.

I have never tried the loaded ammunition, only handloads, but I will never buy those bullets again on purpose.

View Quote

I'll second this - I've never been able to get Hornady 68 to sing. I don't know why, their 75 HPBT is fine, but that 68...

Posted: 2/27/2018 9:39:51 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158898/image-466674.JPG

The lighting is poor, but that is five rounds of 69 grain PPU. The target was set at 50 yards, and the black square is one inch by one inch. I'll test it at 200 yards when I can get to the outdoor range. The PPU is the cheapest of the four rounds I have tested with this gun, and also the most accurate.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158898/image-466683.JPG

A second group of 69 grain PPU at 50 yards.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158898/image-466675.JPG

77 grain Fiocchi at 50 yards.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158898/image-466678.JPG

This was 75 grain Fiocchi at 50 yards. I rushed this group, and undoubtedly believe I could have shot it tighter had I taken the time.

View Quote

Nice range report and good shooting. Interested in the 200 range report!

Posted: 2/28/2018 4:48:08 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
PPU 69 gr match shoots great for me and cheap too.

View Quote

+1. I get consistent 1 inch groups at 100.

Posted: 3/1/2018 1:51:36 PM EDT

[#27]

Both 68/75gr Hornady has always been more finicky with me than 69/77 SMKs. If they work in your rifle they work awesome, but I’ve had much more uniform results with the SMKs.

Posted: 3/13/2018 6:59:34 AM EDT

[#28]

I believe the problem with the Hornady 68gr BTHP is that that it has the same outside dimensions and bearing surface as the 75gr BTHP, but has a much larger hollow cavity in the nose to reduce the weight.

I remember seeing a nice cutaway photo comparing the two, but can't seem to find it.

Basically, the 68gr BTHP should be treated as a 75hr BTHP when looking at appropriate twist rates.

I'm sure variations in the hollow cavity won't help with accuracy much, either.

Posted: 3/13/2018 11:55:14 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'll second this - I've never been able to get Hornady 68 to sing. I don't know why, their 75 HPBT is fine, but that 68...

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
That bullet has always been unreliable. Some lots will shoot great, others wouldn't shoot into a mountain.

I have never tried the loaded ammunition, only handloads, but I will never buy those bullets again on purpose.

I'll second this - I've never been able to get Hornady 68 to sing. I don't know why, their 75 HPBT is fine, but that 68...

One lot of bullets will shoot great, then the next one won't, and it's not rifle dependent, the only change is the bullet lot. I probably have a box or two that would not shoot for me.

There's an easy way to get rid of them; load them with 25 to 25.2 grains of Reloder 15, and go shoot.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .223 68 grain Hornady Match sucks!

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