Powder opinions needed

iblong · November 24, 2009, 12:07 PM

Im about to start reloading for my new DPMS 16" barrel 223.My bolt loads wont cycle the action and from what I gather My IMR 4198 out of a short barrel may not get me enough pressure.Im looking at H335,W748,or TAC.Bullets will range from 50gr.to 64gr depending on differant applications.Any imput for these powders is wellcome.
Thanks,Bob.

**Unclenick** · November 24, 2009, 12:16 PM

IMR 4198 should provide adequate cycling pressure with the 50 and 55 grain bullets if the load is correct, and may well do better because it builds pressure and burns better behind a light bullet than a slow powder will. The slower powders you mentioned work best with bullets of above about 60 grains because they need more inertial mass to build pressure against. The heavier bullets also have longer barrel time, which helps keep the gas port exposed to pressure longer, so you may find they work better in general. 748 and the 77 grain Sierra MatchKing work well in my experience.

scsov509 · November 25, 2009, 03:18 AM

Quote:

H335,W748,or TAC

All exceptional powders for this application. I've been using TAC and 55 grainers for a while in my 16" RRA and couldn't be happier. If you're going to be using primarily the lighter bullets then you should also look at X-Terminator.

iblong · November 25, 2009, 07:10 AM

THANKS GUYS.

**Bud Helms** · November 25, 2009, 08:11 AM

Concur with the 335 and 748. Don't know TAC.

Or if you run across an BL-C2. That is also excellent.

JD 500 · November 25, 2009, 02:55 PM

What is the twist rate of your barrel (rifling)?

I have a 1:8 twist dpms, and it loves 69 gr smk's. At this heavier bullet weight Varget is hard to beat.

good luck

A_Gamehog · November 25, 2009, 06:15 PM

AA2230

jepp2 · November 25, 2009, 06:24 PM

Does your rifle cycle OK on factory ammo? There are a lot of things that can keep an AR from cycling, that aren't load related.

ronl · November 26, 2009, 12:49 AM

You might want to try some Benchmark. It has worked very well for me. It seems to burn cleaner than the ball powders. It works great out of my AR, but mine is a 20" barrel and you're working off of different pressure dynamics with that 16" barrel. Varget seems to work well too for me.

Edward429451 · November 26, 2009, 09:58 AM

BLC-2 is my favorite powder for 223. It measures so consistent and accuracy is right up there when I do my part. This with 55 gr bullets

plainsman456 · November 26, 2009, 02:09 PM

I have used h335 and tac.I load 25-26.5grs for both powders,my ar is a little shorter than yours.Good Luck

November 24, 2009, 12:07 PM	#1
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	Powder opinions needed Im about to start reloading for my new DPMS 16" barrel 223.My bolt loads wont cycle the action and from what I gather My IMR 4198 out of a short barrel may not get me enough pressure.Im looking at H335,W748,or TAC.Bullets will range from 50gr.to 64gr depending on differant applications.Any imput for these powders is wellcome. Thanks,Bob.

November 24, 2009, 12:16 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	IMR 4198 should provide adequate cycling pressure with the 50 and 55 grain bullets if the load is correct, and may well do better because it builds pressure and burns better behind a light bullet than a slow powder will. The slower powders you mentioned work best with bullets of above about 60 grains because they need more inertial mass to build pressure against. The heavier bullets also have longer barrel time, which helps keep the gas port exposed to pressure longer, so you may find they work better in general. 748 and the 77 grain Sierra MatchKing work well in my experience. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 25, 2009, 06:15 PM	#7
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	One more powder to try AA2230 __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course"

November 25, 2009, 07:10 AM	#4
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	THANKS GUYS.

November 25, 2009, 08:11 AM	#5
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Concur with the 335 and 748. Don't know TAC. Or if you run across an BL-C2. That is also excellent.

November 25, 2009, 02:55 PM	#6
JD 500 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 110	What is the twist rate of your barrel (rifling)? I have a 1:8 twist dpms, and it loves 69 gr smk's. At this heavier bullet weight Varget is hard to beat. good luck

November 25, 2009, 06:24 PM	#8
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Does your rifle cycle OK on factory ammo? There are a lot of things that can keep an AR from cycling, that aren't load related.

November 26, 2009, 12:49 AM	#9
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	You might want to try some Benchmark. It has worked very well for me. It seems to burn cleaner than the ball powders. It works great out of my AR, but mine is a 20" barrel and you're working off of different pressure dynamics with that 16" barrel. Varget seems to work well too for me.

November 26, 2009, 09:58 AM	#10
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	BLC-2 is my favorite powder for 223. It measures so consistent and accuracy is right up there when I do my part. This with 55 gr bullets

November 26, 2009, 02:09 PM	#11
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	I have used h335 and tac.I load 25-26.5grs for both powders,my ar is a little shorter than yours.Good Luck