Favorite powder for .223 Rem

Bigtrike · November 5, 2006, 04:16 PM

Maybe jumped in too soon before the election, but picked up an AR-15 type with the goodies on it. Got some H-322 to start reloading with. What are some of your favorite powder/loads? Tks.

**Bud Helms** · November 5, 2006, 08:10 PM

BL-C2, H335, W748, to name a few. H335 is my personal favorite.

ltdave · November 5, 2006, 08:55 PM

if you have a 1:7 twist barrel (probably NOT) i would load hornady 75g BTHPs over 24g of Varget. use any brass (other than Federal) with any primer. hornady calls for 21.5 to 24.0 of varget. i know guys running 25.5g...

if you have a 1:9 twist barrel (more likely) you could TRY the above load. it may or may not shoot the 75s. it it didnt shoot them, i would try some hornady 68g BTHPs with the same charge. hornady call out 22.7 to 24.9 of varget...

the standard disclaimers apply. im NOT RESPONSIBLE for anything you do in reloading...

david

Toolman · November 5, 2006, 09:19 PM

My AR = 1:9 twist. Here's my favorites.
1st: H335
2nd: BLC2
3rd: Varget

Bullets: Win 55gr FMJBT, Hornady 52gr FMJBT, (trying 69gr next weekend)
Brass: Lake City, Win, S & B
Primers: Win or CCI

Bigtrike · November 5, 2006, 10:23 PM

Thanks for the input.

keebo52 · November 5, 2006, 10:24 PM

I'm currently using surplus bulk WC844. It's cheaper and shoots great. When I don't have the surplus stuff, I like IMR4198 and BLC2.

629 shooter · November 6, 2006, 02:24 AM

I have three .223s and the four powders I have used are 748, H322 , H335 and Varget.

Using H335 in my 20" Rem 700LTR and 55 Bergers I fired my best group with the LTR today. H335 also does very well with the Sierra 52 MatchKing in the LTR.

H322 works very well in my LTR with 69 Sierra MK. H322 is also my main powder for use in my TC Super 14 .223.

Varget is the powder I use in my 26" Savage with the 69MK. The only thing I do not like is the fact that Varget does not meter well in my measure.

748 has given me great results in a Rem 700 VLS I used to own. This was using 52 grain Berger match bullets. It does well in the Savage , giving me my best group this rifle , again using the 52 Berger.

270Win · November 6, 2006, 05:42 AM

H4895 has done well by me.

Ammo Junky · November 6, 2006, 06:34 PM

I have had great luck with H322 in .223. H335 is good if you dont mind ball powders.

Dave R · November 6, 2006, 07:03 PM

H335 gives me the best groups. My .223, fed with H335 and a 45gr. bullet, has dis-assembled many whistle pigs.

rn22723 · November 6, 2006, 10:03 PM

Varget works the whole bullet wt line up!

N133 and 50gr Vmax are a match made in heaven!

TAC is great for 55gr or more bullets!

RL15 is another one for heavier wt. bullets!

Toolman · November 7, 2006, 06:05 PM

All rifles are different. As you can see, what some like, others don't....You have to find out what works best for each one. Make sure you get several reloading manuals. Besides, it's good excuse for more range time.

Buckythebrewer · November 7, 2006, 08:06 PM

If you wan't a good /cheap setup.Get a Lee perfect powder measure and use medium extruded powders like A2015br(using 55gr it burned really clean and reliable as hell under rapid firing).I have had good results with h335 but I don't care for Fine ball powders(harder to meter IMO)..H4895 is the best for me(havn't used varget),,Not as clean but very accurate..Using the lee measure I get super consistent charges and hit under M.O.A. @ 625yrds with little effort using the last 1 pound of h4895 powder I had(hopefully the next pound is the same

)..I have grouped under 1/4inch(all but 1 out of 5) with 80 gr smk at 100yrds with that powder in my 1/8 twist ar15(only that time

)..For all around clean/reliable powder I choose 2015br.For all around best accuracy and metering I choose h4895 for 75-77-80gr but also works fine with 55gr as well..

My experience is limited because I have not used the other top quality powders available.But the ones I mentioned worked great for me.

yodarkritch · December 8, 2006, 05:10 PM

I am getting ready to do an all grain mess tomorrow buckie.

You suggest 2015 which I used until I found a ball powder offerred by Accurate that uses 2015 specs and if you can FIND it will result in a substantial savings.

For .223 and 7.62 x 39 i have been using surplus variants of AA223o which is a suroplus version of military powder MR223. Istill have several pounds of Data 2200 from Accurate and Data 2230C. Both of which compare to AA 2230 or AA 2015 which are right next to each other on accurate's chart

AA 1680
AA 2015
AA 2230

see here for more infor on accurate's surplus powsders

http://www.accuratepowder.com/surplus.htm

Yodar in O'do

Ammo Junky · December 8, 2006, 06:19 PM

I have had very good luck with H322 in several rifles. I like 22.5 with 60 gr bullets, 23.0 with 55gr bullets and 24.5 with 50gr bullets. H322 is one of the best choices. H335 is "the" standby in 223 from 40gr up to 70gr bullets and will give you all that the 223 has to offer if you like ball powders. If I was to start from scratch, Id probably try benchmark. The speed is between 322 and 335, Though much closer to 335. It is a stick powder (my preference for rifle loading). It is temp tolorant. When comparing charg wt and burn speed, be aware with ball powders a faster ball powder can have a larger charg than a slower stick powder.

Dont ask me to explain how, I dont know, but it is sometimes so. Its probably no an issue with an ar, but I find 223s like .015 jump more than they like to touch the rifeling.

good luck
AJ

Buckythebrewer · December 9, 2006, 12:12 AM

Yes, I have used h322,and it works well but Not as good as a2015br.JMO Ammojunky,I laugh!!

I have had the same experience..010.-.015. off the rifling has shown very good results for me as well.I like h355 for accuracy but I hate dealing with it.It does not meter well in my experience(and spills all over the place).I LOVE medium extruded powders

paknheat · December 9, 2006, 12:42 AM

I have had my best luck with Varget.

2400 · December 9, 2006, 10:53 AM

My best loads are with H-335.

Edward429451 · December 9, 2006, 11:09 AM

My best grouping load with a 69 was 22.5 gr IMR4064, but was a pita to hand weigh.

My best GP load is 26.0 BLC-2, which meters great.

I'm working with H335, IMR4895 (surplus), and RX15 right now.

Still eyeballing all those accuracy loads with Varget in the manual. Das next to try I suppose.

Clark · December 9, 2006, 05:33 PM

Yesterday I sighted in and shot one group: .5" 5 shot group at 100 yards from the bull bag with a stock Ruger #1 .223.

The load was my favorite; 15 gr Blue Dot 35 gr Vmax moly 2.170", 3500 fps

The barrel does not easily overheat with 15 gr of powder.

Buckythebrewer · December 10, 2006, 12:07 AM

Thats good shooting.I would not expect that with the combo you are using.It just goes to show,There is never ONLY one formula/or setup to accuracy.

Tim R · December 10, 2006, 12:10 AM

My Fav 223 powder, Reloader 15.

270Win · December 10, 2006, 12:33 AM

To expound on my previous post: I use 26.0 grains of H4895 under Sierra 52 grain MatchKings. .5" from a Remington 700 VLS (.223)

amamnn · December 10, 2006, 05:58 PM

I think I've used all the powders listed in the posts above and had fairly good results with all but Varget. I've finally settled on H335 or Vihtavuori N133 for match loads, my current fav being the 335 as its density is almost exactly 100% which makes it easy to load by volume.

I've had good results with Reloader 10x, Alliants replacement for Reloader 12, but data is hard to come by for this relatively new powder. If I had to use only one powder for my .223s and I could not get 335 or N133, I would use W748.

270Win · December 10, 2006, 07:06 PM

I really need to pick up some Vihtavuori powders next gun show. All the reloaders at my range rave about them...

November 5, 2006, 09:19 PM	#4
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	My AR = 1:9 twist. Here's my favorites. 1st: H335 2nd: BLC2 3rd: Varget Bullets: Win 55gr FMJBT, Hornady 52gr FMJBT, (trying 69gr next weekend) Brass: Lake City, Win, S & B Primers: Win or CCI __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

November 6, 2006, 02:24 AM	#7
629 shooter Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2002 Location: IN , USA Posts: 967	I have three .223s and the four powders I have used are 748, H322 , H335 and Varget. Using H335 in my 20" Rem 700LTR and 55 Bergers I fired my best group with the LTR today. H335 also does very well with the Sierra 52 MatchKing in the LTR. H322 works very well in my LTR with 69 Sierra MK. H322 is also my main powder for use in my TC Super 14 .223. Varget is the powder I use in my 26" Savage with the 69MK. The only thing I do not like is the fact that Varget does not meter well in my measure. 748 has given me great results in a Rem 700 VLS I used to own. This was using 52 grain Berger match bullets. It does well in the Savage , giving me my best group this rifle , again using the 52 Berger. __________________ "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

November 6, 2006, 06:34 PM	#9
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	I have had great luck with H322 in .223. H335 is good if you dont mind ball powders. __________________ Will work for brass. I apologise in advance for spelling errors.

November 6, 2006, 07:03 PM	#10
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	H335 gives me the best groups. My .223, fed with H335 and a 45gr. bullet, has dis-assembled many whistle pigs. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

November 7, 2006, 06:05 PM	#12
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	Rifles are different All rifles are different. As you can see, what some like, others don't....You have to find out what works best for each one. Make sure you get several reloading manuals. Besides, it's good excuse for more range time. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

November 5, 2006, 04:16 PM	#1
Bigtrike Junior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: Rock Springs, Wyoming Posts: 14	Favorite powder for .223 Rem Maybe jumped in too soon before the election, but picked up an AR-15 type with the goodies on it. Got some H-322 to start reloading with. What are some of your favorite powder/loads? Tks.

November 5, 2006, 08:10 PM	#2
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	BL-C2, H335, W748, to name a few. H335 is my personal favorite.

November 5, 2006, 08:55 PM	#3
ltdave Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2005 Posts: 226	if you have a 1:7 twist barrel (probably NOT) i would load hornady 75g BTHPs over 24g of Varget. use any brass (other than Federal) with any primer. hornady calls for 21.5 to 24.0 of varget. i know guys running 25.5g... if you have a 1:9 twist barrel (more likely) you could TRY the above load. it may or may not shoot the 75s. it it didnt shoot them, i would try some hornady 68g BTHPs with the same charge. hornady call out 22.7 to 24.9 of varget... the standard disclaimers apply. im NOT RESPONSIBLE for anything you do in reloading... david

November 5, 2006, 10:23 PM	#5
Bigtrike Junior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: Rock Springs, Wyoming Posts: 14	Thanks for the input.

November 5, 2006, 10:24 PM	#6
keebo52 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 244	I'm currently using surplus bulk WC844. It's cheaper and shoots great. When I don't have the surplus stuff, I like IMR4198 and BLC2.

November 6, 2006, 05:42 AM	#8
270Win Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: Damascus, Maryland Posts: 921	H4895 has done well by me.

November 6, 2006, 10:03 PM	#11
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	Varget works the whole bullet wt line up! N133 and 50gr Vmax are a match made in heaven! TAC is great for 55gr or more bullets! RL15 is another one for heavier wt. bullets!

November 7, 2006, 08:06 PM	#13
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	If you wan't a good /cheap setup.Get a Lee perfect powder measure and use medium extruded powders like A2015br(using 55gr it burned really clean and reliable as hell under rapid firing).I have had good results with h335 but I don't care for Fine ball powders(harder to meter IMO)..H4895 is the best for me(havn't used varget),,Not as clean but very accurate..Using the lee measure I get super consistent charges and hit under M.O.A. @ 625yrds with little effort using the last 1 pound of h4895 powder I had(hopefully the next pound is the same )..I have grouped under 1/4inch(all but 1 out of 5) with 80 gr smk at 100yrds with that powder in my 1/8 twist ar15(only that time )..For all around clean/reliable powder I choose 2015br.For all around best accuracy and metering I choose h4895 for 75-77-80gr but also works fine with 55gr as well.. My experience is limited because I have not used the other top quality powders available.But the ones I mentioned worked great for me.

December 8, 2006, 05:10 PM	#14
yodarkritch Member Join Date: December 8, 2006 Location: central florida Posts: 51	Buckiethebrewer I am getting ready to do an all grain mess tomorrow buckie. You suggest 2015 which I used until I found a ball powder offerred by Accurate that uses 2015 specs and if you can FIND it will result in a substantial savings. For .223 and 7.62 x 39 i have been using surplus variants of AA223o which is a suroplus version of military powder MR223. Istill have several pounds of Data 2200 from Accurate and Data 2230C. Both of which compare to AA 2230 or AA 2015 which are right next to each other on accurate's chart AA 1680 AA 2015 AA 2230 see here for more infor on accurate's surplus powsders http://www.accuratepowder.com/surplus.htm Yodar in O'do

December 8, 2006, 06:19 PM	#15
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	H322 I have had very good luck with H322 in several rifles. I like 22.5 with 60 gr bullets, 23.0 with 55gr bullets and 24.5 with 50gr bullets. H322 is one of the best choices. H335 is "the" standby in 223 from 40gr up to 70gr bullets and will give you all that the 223 has to offer if you like ball powders. If I was to start from scratch, Id probably try benchmark. The speed is between 322 and 335, Though much closer to 335. It is a stick powder (my preference for rifle loading). It is temp tolorant. When comparing charg wt and burn speed, be aware with ball powders a faster ball powder can have a larger charg than a slower stick powder. Dont ask me to explain how, I dont know, but it is sometimes so. Its probably no an issue with an ar, but I find 223s like .015 jump more than they like to touch the rifeling. good luck AJ __________________ Will work for brass. I apologise in advance for spelling errors.

December 9, 2006, 12:12 AM	#16
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	Yes, I have used h322,and it works well but Not as good as a2015br.JMO Ammojunky,I laugh!! I have had the same experience..010.-.015. off the rifling has shown very good results for me as well.I like h355 for accuracy but I hate dealing with it.It does not meter well in my experience(and spills all over the place).I LOVE medium extruded powders

December 9, 2006, 12:42 AM	#17
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	I have had my best luck with Varget.

December 9, 2006, 10:53 AM	#18
2400 Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 389	My best loads are with H-335.

December 9, 2006, 11:09 AM	#19
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	My best grouping load with a 69 was 22.5 gr IMR4064, but was a pita to hand weigh. My best GP load is 26.0 BLC-2, which meters great. I'm working with H335, IMR4895 (surplus), and RX15 right now. Still eyeballing all those accuracy loads with Varget in the manual. Das next to try I suppose.

December 9, 2006, 05:33 PM	#20
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	Yesterday I sighted in and shot one group: .5" 5 shot group at 100 yards from the bull bag with a stock Ruger #1 .223. The load was my favorite; 15 gr Blue Dot 35 gr Vmax moly 2.170", 3500 fps The barrel does not easily overheat with 15 gr of powder.

December 10, 2006, 12:07 AM	#21
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	Thats good shooting.I would not expect that with the combo you are using.It just goes to show,There is never ONLY one formula/or setup to accuracy.

December 10, 2006, 12:10 AM	#22
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	My Fav 223 powder, Reloader 15. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

December 10, 2006, 12:33 AM	#23
270Win Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: Damascus, Maryland Posts: 921	To expound on my previous post: I use 26.0 grains of H4895 under Sierra 52 grain MatchKings. .5" from a Remington 700 VLS (.223)

December 10, 2006, 05:58 PM	#24
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I think I've used all the powders listed in the posts above and had fairly good results with all but Varget. I've finally settled on H335 or Vihtavuori N133 for match loads, my current fav being the 335 as its density is almost exactly 100% which makes it easy to load by volume. I've had good results with Reloader 10x, Alliants replacement for Reloader 12, but data is hard to come by for this relatively new powder. If I had to use only one powder for my .223s and I could not get 335 or N133, I would use W748. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

December 10, 2006, 07:06 PM	#25
270Win Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: Damascus, Maryland Posts: 921	I really need to pick up some Vihtavuori powders next gun show. All the reloaders at my range rave about them...