Looking for ammo for a 223 11.5 barrel. - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for ammo for a 223 11.5 barrel.

Posted: 3/28/2020 5:23:09 PM EDT

So looking to pick up an 11.5 barrel in 223 and wanted to hear what ammo worked best with this type of length of the barrel?

As most own a lot of 55 gr and 62 gr for JSP or JHP.

I've not bought the upper yet as still doing research. I wanted to see what you all had to say. Not looking for 500 yard shoots looking for more CQB.

Thanks!

Posted: 3/28/2020 6:07:58 PM EDT

[#1]

The barrel will likely be chambered in 5.56 or maybe 223 Wylde.
.223 is typically only used on precision AR barrels. I assume you were just referring to .223 as a general AR barrel identification rather than getting a .223 chamber specifically

?
As far as ammo, any .223 or 5.56 ammo should work fine if the gun is working properly.

Posted: 3/28/2020 6:21:08 PM EDT

[#2]

What barrel twist? 1/8?

Posted: 3/28/2020 9:07:11 PM EDT

[#3]

mk318

Posted: 3/28/2020 10:58:28 PM EDT

[#4]

My 11.5 xm177 clone shoots 55 grain really well.

Posted: 3/28/2020 11:51:01 PM EDT

[#5]

The twist matters way more than the length. Assuming a 1/7 or 1/9 twist, 55gr and 62gr will be just fine.

Posted: 3/29/2020 2:44:50 AM EDT

[#6]

Twist rate would be helpful to know. If you're set on mid-weight soft points, you have a ton of options. Fusion, Mk318, Gold Dot, TBBC all come to mind.

Barnes monolithic TSX pills are also excellent; I keep one magazine of 62gr TSX on-hand.

ETA I'm assuming you're looking for a defensive loading. If not, just plink away with any old ball ammo.

Posted: 3/29/2020 8:52:17 AM EDT

[#7]

I didn't even consider twist rate when I responded in my previous post. Heavier bullets may not stabilize in a slower twist barrel and vise-versa. This has to do with twist rates vs bullet lengths in general for all ARs, not with the 11.5'' barrel length you asked about.
Assuming the chamber and twist rate match the ammo, there is nothing special about an 11.5'' barrel length that would cause you to need specific ammo to cycle properly.

Posted: 3/29/2020 2:55:23 PM EDT

[#8]

For CQB I'd use m193 or almost any hunting bullet. Even a varmint bullet would be OK at close range.

Posted: 4/8/2020 1:41:50 AM EDT

[#9]

62 or 75gr SP or OTM since they loose velocity slower versus 55gr offerings. With lower velocity you'll need to rely on more velocity insensitive ammo (SP, OTM, etc) versus ball for optimal terminal effects. That said for CQB anything will basically work.

Posted: 4/8/2020 2:09:50 AM EDT

[#10]

T3 or any 55-62gr SP's. M193 if it's all I got.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for ammo for a 223 11.5 barrel.

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