Accuracy of 55 Gr FMJ bullets WW BT with cannelure

L

Lodgepole

New member
I have about 200 of these WW bullets in their original plastic bags from Winchester. After shooting a lot of these bullets I think they might be erratic ! Are FMJ bullets in general any less accurate than other types of hunting bullets ? Maybe I am just a lousy shot and lousy reloader !I was going to use these for practice and to generally dial in for other sight in purposes when changing scopes etc then final sight in with other 55 Gr hunting bullets .These bullets I got from a friend and are from the 70 s or 1980 s
 
I can tell you that they are crap accuracy wise in my book. I got like 500 pulled ones years ago with the idea of just plinking with them basically. Tried them in my .220 Swift, my .223, my .223 AI, my .22/250, not sure if I tried them in my .221 Fireball but dont think so. I mean 2+ inch 100 yard groups no matter what I tried. A few weeks or months later I gave the rest away. I think he gave them away too. They were cheap but not worth anything as far as I was concerned.
 
They are really good for plinking in an AR15 with a cheap barrel.

Don't "burn out" your precious accurate barrel with that style of bullet.
 
You might have gotten war production bullets cranked out by the millions in a hurry then repackaged and sold as surplus. The 100 round boxes often are made on different machinery than the bulk 55fmj. I have found that Hornady 55 fmjs are more accurate than off brands. I would expect that Sierra 55 fmj would be even more accurate than the Hornady which I cannot get to shoot below 1MOA in my at best, 1/2 MOA rifles. I’m not sure what mil spec is but it wouldnt surprise me if it was 2+MOA@100 yds.
 
I got a batch of 55's from Bob's Bullets up in Nevada with and without the C. I was able to get consistent 0.5-0.6 groups out of them in my OLY AR and Remington SPS. These bullets were the most consistent 55 FMJ's I've ever measured and shot. Definitely not in the becnhrest realm for accuracy but for plinking stuff or IPSC/3Gun they will carry the mail quite nicely for me.

Greg
 
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Originally Posted By: pyscodogI've never seen a FMJ shoot good enough to make me buy them. Spray and pray ammo.

Yeah, that's it. I was with a friend once when he shot a ground squirrel with a FMJ 5.56 round. Did not even knock it over at the hit but it died pretty soon afterward. I will never forget that.
 
If I could get groups like Greg said he got, I could probably be convinced to shoot them. The ones I have seen or shot looked more like shotgun patterns.
 
Originally Posted By: pyscodogIf I could get groups like Greg said he got, I could probably be convinced to shoot them. The ones I have seen or shot looked more like shotgun patterns.

I shot them in the OLY, the SPS and reviewing my notes in my 22 LBC with results far and away better than I got with bulk WW FMJ's. I agree they sure aren't PD bullets but they do have a place in my activities. If I get back into 3Gun they will be my go to bullets.

The company also makes some fantastic lead bullets that I use in my PPC and BE guns. The prices are also very reasonable with fast shipping. I spent a full day with the Ransom Rest trying them out and I was convinced they were as good as any cast I had shot in those two guns.

Greg
 
Well your reports do give me some comfort that my marksmanship is not totally at fault. A first try I thought oh its just my lousy form and improvised rest . I conclude that I have wasted lots of time powder and primers on these bullets ,it's probably not me or the rifles .I will cancel the appointment with my Therapist . Thanks to all for your time and experience .
 
You should sort the bullets by bearing surface measurement. Also, bullets with a cannelure do usually prefer a tight crimp! but,you can certainly play with that to achieve different results.
 
Don't waste your powder. I have some FMJ's I picked up cheap and tried reloading them. 2 Boxes later the rest are still in the original box. They will be just for plinking if I decide to try them again. Rudy
 


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