Shoot2Hunt University

[Q_Sertorius]

About half of the giant 223 thread is all about ammo and customer loads. I’m sure you’ll find a lot of recommendations in there.

I'm not looking for hunting ammo. Just for practice ammo. I'm also not planning to reload 5.56/.223. Ain't nobody got time for that!

I will attempt to search through that thread - and this one - again.

 

[wind gypsy]

What brand(s) of .223 or 5.56 ammo do y'all recommend for a mini-RSS Tikka T3X with a 16.1" barrel and 1:10" twist?

I haven't had a chance to take it out shooting yet. I was going to buy several boxes of stuff that might work well and give it a try before I order a large amount of whatever works best. I expect it to shoot best with 62-grain ammo, but I saw that S2H recommends 69-grain or above (should still shoot well, in my experience). I am also going to try the AAC 77-grain OTMs I use in my AR.

I have seen Form's recommendations for ADI 55gr Blitzking, 69, and 77gr SMK. Are there any others?

Thank you.

If you've got a 10 twist you're kind of SOL on heavier than 69 gr bullets. I'm not sure even 69 SMKs will do well at low elevations/velocities with a 10 twist.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

If you've got a 10 twist you're kind of SOL on heavier than 69 gr bullets. I'm not sure even 69 SMKs will do well at low elevations/velocities with a 10 twist.

I’m aware of that. That is part of the reason I am looking for recommendations.

Every “bargain” has a reason it was a bargain. In this case, the otherwise lovely stainless steel T3X in great condition had a 1:10” twist. I didn’t know that when I bought it online, but was willing to accept that risk since I can’t legally use .223 on deer where I hunt. So, it’s not a real loss on the hunting side of things.

On the other hand, most of my shooting will be done above 2500 feet. And it does open up some relatively affordable options at the low end.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[wind gypsy]

In that case, i'd try both ADI 55 SBK and 69 SMK and see which does better.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I just went ahead and bought 9 different varieties of 223/556 between 55 and 69 grains - including the two ADI loads. I also set aside some of my 77-grain AAC as well). It should be a good first range session.

 

[nettereo16]

I just went ahead and bought 9 different varieties of 223/556 between 55 and 69 grains - including the two ADI loads. I also set aside some of my 77-grain AAC as well). It should be a good first range session.

Report back please!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Report back please!

For sure! That’s part of the plan.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[ztc92]

In that case, i'd try both ADI 55 SBK and 69 SMK and see which does better.

I second these based on what I’ve seen at S2H. The 69 shot great for me, haven’t tried the 55.

I’ve also had great luck with Frontier/Hornady 68g BTHP. Maybe that would stabilize?

 

[Antares]

I’ve also had great luck with Frontier/Hornady 68g BTHP. Maybe that would stabilize?

The Frontier 68 BTHP is my go to. Pretty inexpensive and usually shoots around 1.3 MOA for 10 shots in my Tikka.

 

[Moccasin]

ADI was well regarded in our class. A couple of us used Frontier without issue. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the 75g Frontier again, but I’m 1:8.

 

[Bluumoon]

For sure! That’s part of the plan.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

You should try some of the Bone Frog branded 55gr and report back, it's cheap and you can save me $ on trying it. I tried the BF 62gr and was underwhelmed with 20 round group size.
I need to try the ADI 55gr, the 69gr version sucked for me on 1:8" Tikka

 

[Q_Sertorius]

You should try some of the Bone Frog branded 55gr and report back, it's cheap and you can save me $ on trying it. I tried the BF 62gr and was underwhelmed with 20 round group size.
I need to try the ADI 55gr, the 69gr version sucked for me on 1:8" Tikka

These are the ones I am going to try (along with the 77-grain OTMs I use in my AR). I focused on the 62-grain loads because they *should* be the most likely to succeed, but I am hopeful I can find a 69 grain load that works. I am also going to see what the LGS has to offer in the 62-70 grain range. the next time I am on my way to the range.

____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[KickinNDishin]

I took the 0-600 class in June 2025 and wrote about my experience. If you're interested, check it out.

Shoot2Hunt A Female Perspective - Rokslide

Going into the class I didn’t know what to expect other than rifle training. I relied on the Rokslide subforum and instructional email. Prior to the class, my time behind a rifle was limited to occasional range shooting and hunting, with two animals harvested: the first at about 230 yards from...

www.rokslide.com

 

[SloppyJ]

I took the 0-600 class in June 2025 and wrote about my experience. If you're interested, check it out.

Shoot2Hunt A Female Perspective - Rokslide

Going into the class I didn’t know what to expect other than rifle training. I relied on the Rokslide subforum and instructional email. Prior to the class, my time behind a rifle was limited to occasional range shooting and hunting, with two animals harvested: the first at about 230 yards from...

www.rokslide.com

I didn't remember signing a waiver to be in the photos.....

Just kidding. Very accurate write up! I kept waiting for the piece where you talked about how everyone else there had a horrible sense of humor and constantly teased you but I didn't see it.

 

[KickinNDishin]

I didn't remember signing a waiver to be in the photos.....

Just kidding. Very accurate write up! I kept waiting for the piece where you talked about how everyone else there had a horrible sense of humor and constantly teased you but I didn't see it.

Ha! It was a good time and good group of folks.

 

[sndmn11]

These are the ones I am going to try (along with the 77-grain OTMs I use in my AR). I focused on the 62-grain loads because they *should* be the most likely to succeed, but I am hopeful I can find a 69 grain load that works. I am also going to see what the LGS has to offer in the 62-70 grain range. the next time I am on my way to the range.

____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

This lady used Hornady fr160 in the S2H rental rifle and it seemed to have worked out. She was told to stay away from FMJ. If the AAC 69gr last on your list is a Sierra bullet that would be a non-brainer. @h2so4 is also a black hills dealer.

I took the 0-600 class in June 2025 and wrote about my experience. If you're interested, check it out.

Shoot2Hunt A Female Perspective - Rokslide

Going into the class I didn’t know what to expect other than rifle training. I relied on the Rokslide subforum and instructional email. Prior to the class, my time behind a rifle was limited to occasional range shooting and hunting, with two animals harvested: the first at about 230 yards from...

www.rokslide.com

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I ordered a bunch of ammo from h2so4.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”