All the Reasons Federal .223 Is Great

Since 1922, Federal Ammunition has been producing some of the world’s highest-quality hunting, target, and self-defense loads. Technology is behind everything they do, and has driven them to produce highly reliable rifle, pistol, and shotshell cartridges.

But as great as the inexorable march of progress is, it’s hard to improve on some things. Take Federal .223, for instance. The .223 Remington cartridge has remained effectively unchanged for about 60 years now, and it is still one of the most widely used (if not the most widely used) cartridges in the world, all things considered.

Here are just about all of the reasons why. Just bear in mind that many of them are not exclusive solely to Federal .223.

It’s Light

One of the best things about .223 Remington is that it’s light. Consider an all-purpose or target load with a 55-grain bullet. That’s about as light as centerfire rifle cartridges come.

Compare this to a step up, say, to a .270 Winchester or a .308. The .270 is often loaded with bullets that weigh between 120 and 160 grains, and the .308 with bullets that weigh between 150 to 180 grains.

That can nearly double or triple the weight of the cartridge. Multiply that across a loaded magazine and it really increases the weight.

This lightweight makes it easier to carry loaded mags of .223 Remington with less fatigue – good news for hunters and competition shooters.

It’s Affordable

Not that Federal .223 is cheap, because it isn’t, especially compared to rimfire ammunition. But it is cheaper than pretty much all other centerfire cartridges.

You can often get bulk cases of .223 for pretty steep discounts, which means you can burn a lot of brass at the range without necessarily feeling the burn on your wallet.

Other comparable (or larger) centerfire rounds are substantially more expensive; in many cases, a round can cost more than a dollar.

It’s Available

Since the .223 is the civilian analog to the 5.56 NATO, which is used in the AR-15, M16 and a ton of other sporting platforms, it’s pretty easy to find.

Well, not at the current time, because we’re in the grips of an ammo shortage. But under normal circumstances, you could literally go to any gun shop in the country and buy a case of Federal .223. It’s as ubiquitous as 9mm, .22LR, or 12 gauge target loads.

It’s Flat Shooting

Despite the relatively low knock-down power, .223 is a flat shooting cartridge. This makes it predictable at long ranges, both for hunting and competition. The average 55-grain FMJ .223 bullet will drop less than 2 inches at 100 yards, and just over a foot at 300 yards.

It Has Surprisingly Adequate Ballistic Performance

Perhaps the most important aspect of Federal .223 is the nearly unmatched versatility. It can be used for target shooting, competition, pest control, hunting, and self-defense.

Despite the fact that some states don’t allow it, the .223 is absolutely capable of taking down medium and large game. With proper shot placement, the .223 is capable of taking both deer and moose, even if hunters are more comfortable using larger calibers for these quarries. It’s a perennial favorite among varmint and predator hunters, too.

Hollow point and soft point bullets also offer great performance for self-defense and help mitigate concerns regarding overpenetration, too.

You’ll Have Plenty of Options

Last but not least, the ubiquity of the .223 for the past 60 years means you’ll have your pick of options to choose from. Tons and tons of guns have been developed around this cartridge.

The majority of modern sporting rifles are available in.223 chamberings, and there are many bolt-action, single-shot, and precision rifles that shoot .223 as well. Browning and Henry even make .223 lever-action rifles.

As for Federal .223, they are loaded into reloadable brass cases and feature non-corrosive primers and non-magnetic bullets. So if you’re looking for reliable, affordable rifle ammunition for high-volume shooting, you could do a lot worse than Federal American Eagle or Federal Premium rifle ammo.

Federal .223 Ammo Online: Available and Affordable

Those are all the reasons that Federal .223 ammo (and .223 in general) is, to put it plainly, great.

But, if you already knew this and were just looking for some relief from the stockouts at your local gun shop, visit Bucking Horse Outpost online at BuckingHorseOutpost.com. They carry a wide range of different calibers at great prices. Visit their website today to start saving.