Hadn't seen anything on the .223 bullets but guys on the M14 Forum didn't think the .308 caliber bullets were worth buying twice.
Had a similar experience with a 500 round box of Winchester 55 grain FMJBT one time. Lead protruding from the base, lead "sucked up" into the base, bullet weights varying, etc. Never bought them again.
I've bought and shot a lot of 55 grain Hornady FMJBT. In several AR15's. I'll keep buying them.
Awhile back my nephew and I built a 24" bull barrel AR15 for him (for some reason he thought a 12 lb. AR would be cool.)
He bought Winchester, Federal and Remington ammo in several bullet weights/styles to shoot in it. We took it to the range, sighted in at 25 yds., shot some more groups, walked over to the 100 yd. range to get POI/POA dead on at 100 yds. so he could accurately check out the BDC set up in the scope some time when he was home (WV) and could shoot at longer ranges.
Just before we finished up I handed him some of my reloads (55 grain Hornday FMJBT with IMR 4198 and CCI primers) to shoot. When we gathered up the targets to take home I asked him which ammo shot the best groups. He said, "That stuff you gave me." I (shamelessly) made him repeat it. I keep telling the boys that load is great in every AR15 I've ever shot it in. Whether 1 turn in 9" or 1 turn in 8" or 1 turn in 7".
People say the Hornady 55 grain FMJBT aren't great but they've shot some pretty darned good groups in my rifles.
I tell people - don't wait till you need it (powder, bullets or primers) to buy it. Buy it when you see it on sale for a good price. I got 6,000 of the Hornady bullets awhile back for just over $400 on sale. They sit there in the garage just as good as the day they arrived.