Hornady can’t take all the credit for loading their Frontier series 223 Rem ammunition. These cartridges are made in Independence, Missouri instead of Hornady’s home state of Nebraska. That’s because these range loads hail from the U.S. government’s historic Lake City Army Ammunition Plant!

Hornady did create this round’s 55 grain bullet all on their own. It is a full metal jacket: nonmagnetic, and otherwise simple as can be. The round’s 3,240 fps muzzle velocity and .243 G1 BC were captured via 24” test barrel. If 1.5” sight height and 200-yard zero, expect ~744 ft lbs striking energy followed by -7.2” drop at 300.

Lake City’s brass is annealed: heat-treated, which helps it contour to the chamber during ignition and return to its original dimensions afterward. This is not unusual. What makes Lake City brass special is that it is not polished after it is annealed. To be sure, it is brand new and reloadable. It’s just not as pretty.

500 Round Case

Features and Specifications:
Manufacturer Number: FR1005
Caliber: .223 Rem
Bullet Weight: 55 Grains
Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
Muzzle Velocity: 3240 fps
Velocity at 100 yards: 2837 fps
Velocity at 300 yards: 2128 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1282 ft/lbs
Energy at 100 yards: 983 ft/lbs
Energy at 300 yards: 553 ft/lbs
Reloadable Brass Case
500 Rounds