223 Rem – 73 gr Berger BTHP – Federal Gold Medal (GM223BH73) – 200 Rounds

Service rifle and across-the-course shooters need a 223 load that stays accurate at 300 and 600 yards, which is where heavy match bullets earn their place. This listing is Federal Premium Gold Medal 223 Remington 73 grain Berger boat tail open tip match ammo, MPN GM223BH73, sold as a 200 round case.

Federal rates this load at 2,800 fps with 1,271 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. The 73 grain Berger bullet has a sleek boat tail and open tip that give it a higher ballistic coefficient than lighter 223 bullets, so it drifts less in the wind and keeps more velocity at distance. Federal loads Gold Medal ammunition with match primers and tight tolerances to keep velocity spread low. This is a competition and precision practice load. Open tip match bullets are not designed for hunting, and they are not a defensive load.

This ammunition fits rifles chambered in 223 Remington with a fast enough twist, such as AR-15 match rifles with 1:8 or 1:7 barrels, the Savage 12 FV and 110 Varmint in 223, the Tikka T3x Varmint, and the Remington 700 in 223. It can also be fired in rifles marked 5.56 NATO. A common question is whether a 1:9 twist will stabilize a 73 grain bullet. It may at moderate temperatures, but a 1:8 or faster twist is the safer choice. Another common question is whether 223 match ammo is safe in a 5.56 chamber. Yes, though the longer 5.56 throat may cost a small amount of accuracy compared with a match 223 or 223 Wylde chamber.

Federal GM223BH73 is new production ammunition, not reloads, made in the USA by Federal in Anoka, Minnesota. It uses reloadable brass cases with boxer primers and is non-corrosive. The case holds 10 boxes of 20 rounds, 200 rounds total. One lot means your dope from early season practice carries into matches, and the brass is a good start for handloaders.