Is there a short answer for why .223 JHP is in general more accurate than ball ammo?

Thank you

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JHP is formed (mostly) by swaging the
lead core into the jacket, with open
'front' and closed base. Thi process yields
more precision in creating a uniform bullet
base, the last part of bullet to touch the
barrel at the muzzle crown.

FMJs are (mostly) the same, but
upside down. The opening is at the
base of the jacket, with the nose being
more controlled dimensionally.

Just as a slight imperfection in the crown
can cause inaccuracy, imperfections in
base of the bullet can alter it's trajectory
at the crown and create inaccuracy.

BTW, this is true with all calibers, not
just .223.

Not sure I could shorten that any more
and still explain it.

I think the short answer is ball ammo (military stuff) doesn't need to be super accurate. Some dispersion and bullet instability are desirable.

Excellent explanation.

The above is a good explanation in theory, but batch-to-batch ammo and gun-to-gun variation probably has more to do with accuracy of a particular bullet type in a specific rifle.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Another way of asking the question is why does one rifle shoot best with one type and another rifle shoot best with a different type.

Way too many variables to make blanket statements. Rifling twist, actual bore dimensions, muzzle erosion, throat erosion, barrel profile, bullet weight, bullet profile, core & jacket materials, and at least a hundred other factors.

Every rifle I have ever owned seemed to have its own preferences. Part of my job was figuring out which specific load (brass, primer, powder, bullet, etc) worked best in that particular rifle. There are some commonalities that apply generally (shorter & lighter bullets perform better with longer rifling twists than longer & heavier bullets, as one example) but none are absolute in application to every rifle or ammo variation.

Those of us who load our own ammo have some advantages over those who rely upon factory made ammo.

I've seen this first hand. I have a built AR with an Odin works 1:8 18" SS "match" barrel, my buddy built one with a different brand of barrel, also SS, also 1:8. My rifle loves 69gr Sierra Match King, especially Outback Ammo which it managed to shoot sub 1 MOA. My buddies? Doesn't like that ammo one bit.

Is it the ammo? Nah...I doubt few would dispute the quality of Sierra Match Kind projectiles. It's the build and build components.

One of the most important factors is determining the optimum cartridge OAL for a specific chamber using a specific bullet. Every bullet type has a different ogive dimension and that will determine the "jump" to the chamber leade. Another often overlooked factor is the uniformity of the case length.

Are the hardball and JHP bulets that you are using the same weight ? Same OAL ? Same bullet profile ? Same velocity ? Same rate of powder burn ? There are so many different factors that go into what a rifle likes to eat the best. And 2 rifles from the same company made on the same day don't always like the same ammo. Every one is different.

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One of the purposes of an HP is to move the weight rearward reducing yaw.
Note the warning on most 52 gr 22 cal bullets for target only, not for hunting.

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Just glad that both my Hornady & Sierra match 223 bullets (both HP's) are as accurate as they are.