Stan's Selections
Looking to take your AR-15 to the range for some plinking? These are ideal choices for training that are popular among our customers.
Top Range Rounds
223 (5.56) Ammo
.223 Remington ammunition and 5.56x45 NATO are closely related and sometimes interchangeable cartridges depending on the firearm they are to be used with. Manufacturers typically offer guidance on this point. In general, the 5.56 NATO ammunition the military uses and is for sale to the civilian market operates at higher pressures than .223 Remington ammo. Most, but not all, AR-15s are chambered for 5.56 NATO and can fire both types of ammo.
Many loads in both calibers follow the M193 or M855 standard, both of which are military specifications. M193 ammo typically fires a 55 grain full metal jacket bullet at 3,240 feet per second, while M855 ammo fires a heavier 62 grain FMJ bullet at about 3,100 feet per second. These common standards are very helpful when sighting in your optics and you'll find both cartridges in-stock and available in cheap bulk packs here at Widener's
Certain specialized loads deviate from these common standards. Competition grade .223/5.56 ammo fires a heavier bullet (most commonly a Sierra MatchKing) in the 77 grain range to provide better stability and more predictable trajectories; varmint loads, on the other hand, fire light 30-40 grain bullets at very high velocities to produce lethal fragmentation against pest animals.
One of the most sought after range loads for this caliber is Lake City ammunition, which is produced by Federal Premium Ammunition at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. LCAAP production is typically excess from government contracts and is popular due to its military origins and high quality.
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Federal Gold Medal 223 Rem 77 Grain HPBT MatchKing – 200 Rounds
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Hornady Critical Defense 223 Rem 55 Grain FTX – 20 Rounds
$28.85Product Type Ammo Manufacturer Hornady Condition New Bullet Weight 55 Grain Bullet Type Flex-Tip-Technology (FTX) Use Type home defense Casing Type Nickel-Plated Brass Quantity 20 Ammo Caliber 223 Remington Manufacturer SKU 80270 Primer Type Boxer Magnetic No UPC Barcode 90255802702 Cost Per Round $1.44 per round This 223 Rem cartridge from Hornady’s Critical Defense line of ammunition is optimized in every way to help you keep your home uninfluenced by burglars. The round’s 55 grain FTX projectile features the Flex Tip, which compresses into the bullet upon impact in order to initiate rapid expansion. The Flex Tip works reliably even at lower velocities, and optimizes performance in lever action rifles as well.
The FTX bullet also features an InterLock ring, which mechanically locks its high antimony lead core and specially engineered heavy jacket together to provide stellar weight retention during penetration. This bullet additionally offers a flat trajectory and great accuracy thanks to its secant ogive profile.
Thanks to this round’s casing’s nickel plating, it’s very easy to spot during a chamber check in a darkened environment. Furthermore, its specially formulated propellant reduces both recoil and muzzle flash, so you can count on firing rapid follow-up shots in the dark as well. -
Black Hills Barnes Multi-Purpose Green 223 Rem 55 Grain HP - 50 Rounds
$73.85Product Type Ammo Manufacturer Black Hills Ammunition Condition New Bullet Weight 55 Grain Bullet Type Frangible Use Type steel target plinking Casing Type Brass Quantity 50 Ammo Caliber 223 Remington Manufacturer SKU M223N16 Primer Type Boxer Magnetic No UPC Barcode 612710124503 Cost Per Round $1.48 per round Grab a few of these 50-round boxes of .223 Remington ammo from Black Hills for tactical training and home defense with your AR-15 or other .223/5.56 NATO chambered rifle. These cartridges fire Barnes Multi Purpose Green (MPG) frangible bullets. Unlike other frangible projectiles, Multi Purpose Green bullets have a gilding metal jacket that protects the powdered copper-tin core. This ensures reliable cycling alongside heavy fragmentation upon impact. The fragmenting effect virtually eliminates the risk of ricochets for safe training while delivering strong terminal performance for varmint hunting or self-defense emergencies.
Each cartridge in this box fires a 55-grain version of the MPG at a muzzle velocity of 3,150 feet per second. In terms of external ballistics, this ammo is roughly comparable to M193 mil-spec ball and should not require large adjustments to optics for users of either M193 or M855 ammo.
Black Hills ammunition is made in the USA using non-corrosive primers and brass cases.
Customer Reviews
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very quick shipping
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quick shipping
Review by charles (Posted on 8/16/2020)
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Black Hills 5.56x45 77 Grain OTM – 500 Rounds
$744.85Product Type Ammo Manufacturer Black Hills Ammunition Condition New Bullet Weight 77 Grain Bullet Type Open Tip Match Use Type match or precision shooting, plinking at the range Casing Type Brass Quantity 500 Ammo Caliber 5.56x45mm Manufacturer SKU D556N9 Primer Type Boxer Magnetic No UPC Barcode 612710126385 Cost Per Round $1.49 per round When the U.S. military needs match grade 5.56x45 ammunition, it turns to Black Hills Ammunition. It’s no coincidence that the family-owned South Dakota company also produces some of the finest long-range target ammunition the civilian market has to offer. Order yourself some today and start shooting faraway targets soon!
This cartridge gives you accuracy like only a 77 grain open tip match bullet can. The huge chunk of lead and copper has a lower muzzle velocity – 2,750 fps out of Black Hills’ own 20” test barrel – but also a trajectory that’s less susceptible to wind deflection. The OTM’s form-fitted core was created by injecting the thin copper jacket with molten lead. The hollow point gave access to that lead, but it does not give the OTM the ability to deliver terminal expansion.
Black Hills loads this ammo with match primers, match brass, and standardized charges of proprietary propellant blend. Despite what the discoloration around their shoulders might suggest, this ammo’s cases aren’t previously fired. They’re a great choice for handloading – might as well stock up on component bullets while you’re at it!Customer Reviews
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Excellent!
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highly coveted mk262mod1 with fast shipping! Excellent company. Excellent service.
Review by Milspec (Posted on 6/29/2020)
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Black Hills 5.56x45 77 Grain OTM – 50 Rounds
$74.85Product Type Ammo Manufacturer Black Hills Ammunition Condition New Bullet Weight 77 Grain Bullet Type Open Tip Match Use Type match or precision shooting, plinking at the range Casing Type Brass Quantity 50 Ammo Caliber 5.56x45mm Manufacturer SKU D556N9 Primer Type Boxer Magnetic No UPC Barcode 612710126408 Cost Per Round $1.5 per round You’ve got two things on your mind: precision, and your 5.56x45mm rifle. That means you only need one kind of ammunition: this 77 grain OTM ammo by Black Hills of South Dakota.
Let’s get one thing straight: the open tip match may look like it’s designed for terminal expansion, but it really isn’t. If you’re looking for hunting or home defense ammo, then your journey continues. The OTM’s open tip has already served its only purpose, which was to allow its manufacturer to inject liquid lead into its thin and concentric copper jacket. The voidless core that formed is the driving force behind the OTM’s excellent rotational stability and resultant high accuracy.
This round’s bullet is relatively heavy, which helps reduce its reaction to the cross and vertical winds awaiting at a long-distance target range. A 1:8” rate of twist barrel or faster is the ticket. Black Hills loads these fine rounds with match grade components, as well as brand new reloadable brass cases.Customer Reviews
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THE SDM Ammo for taking out the trash
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This is the MK262 MOD 1 ammo used by Uncle Sam's DM's for use in 1:8" twist or faster barrels, with 556 NATO or 223 Wylde chambers. I tested a single 5-shot group from a bipod at 600yds and the elevation was a tick over 1/2MOA from a sample rifle used to train soldiers at Ft Benning.. Close enough for gov't work.
Review by Grant (Posted on 2/19/2022)
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You get what you pay for.
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Three five shot groups, each under .750 inches at 100 yards. Best ever from my Colt LE 6920. Let the barrel cool between groups.
Review by Gary (Posted on 11/22/2017)
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Black Hills 5.56x45mm 77 Grain TMK Sierra MatchKing - 50 Rounds
$79.85Product Type Ammo Manufacturer Black Hills Ammunition Condition New Bullet Weight 77 Grain Bullet Type Polymer Tipped Use Type match or precision shooting Casing Type Brass Quantity 50 Ammo Caliber 5.56x45mm Manufacturer SKU D556N19 Primer Type Boxer Magnetic No UPC Barcode 612710130719 Cost Per Round $1.6 per round Competitive shooters of AR-15s and other 5.56 NATO rifles prize Black Hills match grade ammunition for its unerring precision and reliable performance.
Each round in this box of 50 fires a heavy 77 grain Sierra Tipped MatchKing bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,750 feet per second. As with most match loads, this ammo trades a bit of muzzle velocity for enhanced stability and more predictable points of impact. Tipped MatchKings are an iteration building on the classic MatchKing bullet and feature an aerodynamic polymer tip.
Black Hills ammo is made in Rapid City, South Dakota using non-corrosive Boxer primers and reloadable brass cases.
Customer Reviews
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Good stuff!
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Hard hitting stuff. Perfect ammo if you're using a suppressed SBR for HD. Black Hills always makes quality ammo. Can't go wrong with this ammo.
Review by NV_gunner (Posted on 5/11/2020)
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Barnes Precision Match 223 Rem 77 Grain OTM BT – 20 Rounds
$32.85Product Type Ammo Manufacturer Barnes Condition New Bullet Weight 77 Grain Bullet Type Open Tip Match Use Type match or precision shooting, plinking at the range Casing Type Brass Quantity 20 Ammo Caliber 223 Remington Manufacturer SKU 32018 Primer Type Boxer Magnetic No UPC Barcode 716876223770 Cost Per Round $1.64 per round Barnes Precision Match ammunition is here to treat you to some of the best accuracy you’ve ever witnessed! This 223 Rem cartridge features the Match Burner – a 77 grain open tip match boat tail projectile that is designed for competitive shooting events!
First things first: an OTM bullet is not intended for hunting or home defense, simply because its hollow point nose cavity isn’t engineered for terminal expansion. The OTM’s meplat has a narrow aperture because liquid lead was poured through it – hence the bullet’s voidless, balanced, and rearward-situated core. The bullet’s narrow tip, tapered tail, and sleek, thin jacket are all in the service of minimizing drag, increasing downrange momentum, and enhancing precision. Its massive 77 grain weight gives the bullet greater resistance to wind drift as well (Barnes recommends a barrel twist of 1:8” or faster for this ammo).
This round has a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.349. Many variables will determine exactly which trajectory the bullet follows, but you can realistically expect around -9.57” drop at 300 yards when you set your rifle’s 1.5” high sights on a 200-yard zero.
Barnes loads this ammo in Utah with match primers, fastidiously measured propellant charges, and new brass cases that belong at a reloading press once they have been emancipated from their bullets.
