suggestion for powder 223/5.56

rude robert · February 19, 2010, 11:15 PM

im looking in my hornaday book and of course there is all kinds of powder to choose from. i like to keep things as simple as possible for example i use for both .357 and 44 mag h110 powder. it will do anything i want for any round with both calibers just fine. so here is my ?? what would be a good all around powder for 223/5.56?? i would like to experiment with just one powder that will work well with any on the bullets that i might use. i see h335,h322,imr 3031 that does almost all the bullets for hornaday. but i would like to get some copper rounds from barns too. i sure some of these powders will or are probably listed for the barns but i dont know. again id like some powder that will do a wide range of rounds. any ideas thx robert

rude robert · February 19, 2010, 11:32 PM

i see viht n 140 it also works with the most bullets. now im more confused lol

Jobfix · February 19, 2010, 11:54 PM

AA-2230 works well...

Barnes Bullets are another matter Varget & BL-C2 from 45gr.~ 70gr. bullets

sourdough44 · February 19, 2010, 11:56 PM

Ramshot TAC and/or Exterminator.

riverwalker76 · February 20, 2010, 12:07 AM

Accurate 2230 or Benchmark ... if you can find it.

Accurate is more reasonable. I get mine locally for $20 a can, and it works on all loads from 35gr. up to 90 gr. bullets.

plainsman456 · February 20, 2010, 12:13 AM

H322 or TAC works for me.

Jim243 · February 20, 2010, 12:32 AM

Robert

I just answered your post on which brass to use and came across this post on powder.

Powder use for the 223/5.56 will depend on the weight of your bullet and length.

Here is a VERRRRRY GOOD source of data on the caliber you are going to use:

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

Good luck and stay safe.
Jim

CPTMurdoc30 · February 20, 2010, 12:47 AM

I mainly use 50gr V-Max bullets in my 223 remmy 700 VLS. It will shoot them into .411" 5 shot groups with Accurate XMR 2015 I can get .5 groups with Varget, benchmark, and I can get .5" groups with 3700fps with a mid range load of VV N133 with the 50gr. No that is not a typo, shot 5 rounds and stopped because I thought the load was too hot. Came home tore down 5 random loads from the lot and all measured the same to within .1 gr or less. In talking to other reloaders I found tha VV powders tend to run velocities a little hotter than shown in the book....

there are a bunch of powder that work good in the 223.

Check http://www.6mmbr.com/ for a lot of good info on the 223 and reloading for it.

kraigwy · February 20, 2010, 12:48 AM

I'm not a big fan of "one power fits all" . I shoot a lot of 223s either 52-55 grans in my 1 in 12 twist guns or 77-80 grns in my 1 in 7 twist guns.

I have about 30 lbs of 335 which is an excelent power of the lighter bullets but in dosn't work worth a hoot with the heavier bullets (in my gusn).

I'm talking target rifles, if you hare just plinking you can probably get by.

Differant bullet weights need differant burning rates to propertly work. Yeah, reloading manuals show the loads, but go through your manuals that list MOST ACCURATE LOADS, I doubt you will find the same power listed or the most accurate load with differant bullet weights.

TXGunNut · February 28, 2010, 05:40 PM

I know it won't work for everyone but a buddy told me about 26.5grs of WW748 and it worked great in my 14" Contender with 50, 52 and 55 gr bullets. All three loads about .6-.7" @ 100 yds! Seems to work in bolt rifles and single shot rifles as well, not sure about mouse guns. Doesn't make much sense but if it works, I like it. My newest Hornady manual shows a max load of 26.4grs for a 55 gr bullet so please read the stickies and your other manuals and approach with caution.

Scorch · February 28, 2010, 05:43 PM

Powders in a very specific burn rate bracket work well for 223. Some good bets are W748/BLC2, H335, H322, IMR 4895, and Varget.

I load 26.1 gr W748 under Hornady 68 gr MBTHP for my AR. It shoots very well.

I also load 26.1 gr W748 under 55 gr Hornady SP for my bolt gun. It shoots well.

88KEYS · February 28, 2010, 08:06 PM

2230 works well and meters great

DiscoRacing · February 28, 2010, 08:09 PM

RAM TAC

Blue Grass · February 28, 2010, 08:16 PM

AA-2230 and AA-2460.

ForneyRider · February 28, 2010, 10:18 PM

I have load data from 36gr Barnes VG to 73gr Berger for AA2230 and it works great and meters excellent.

I use Benchmark for 52-55gr bullets as my most accurate load. I have Benchmark load data for the same bullets as AA2230.

I use Varget for bullets 68gr and larger. Varget, R15 and IMR 4064 are very close in burn rate, but Varget and R15 are a little easier to meter. Benchmark and AA2230 are very easy to meter.

4198 looked to fast for me in .223. It is popular with 7.62x39.

February 19, 2010, 11:15 PM	#1
rude robert Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Posts: 116	suggestion for powder 223/5.56 im looking in my hornaday book and of course there is all kinds of powder to choose from. i like to keep things as simple as possible for example i use for both .357 and 44 mag h110 powder. it will do anything i want for any round with both calibers just fine. so here is my ?? what would be a good all around powder for 223/5.56?? i would like to experiment with just one powder that will work well with any on the bullets that i might use. i see h335,h322,imr 3031 that does almost all the bullets for hornaday. but i would like to get some copper rounds from barns too. i sure some of these powders will or are probably listed for the barns but i dont know. again id like some powder that will do a wide range of rounds. any ideas thx robert

February 19, 2010, 11:54 PM	#3
Jobfix Member Join Date: January 12, 2010 Location: "A Facist Subject" California Posts: 64	.223 Powder AA-2230 works well... Barnes Bullets are another matter Varget & BL-C2 from 45gr.~ 70gr. bullets Last edited by Jobfix; February 20, 2010 at 12:08 AM.

February 20, 2010, 12:47 AM	#8
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	I mainly use 50gr V-Max bullets in my 223 remmy 700 VLS. It will shoot them into .411" 5 shot groups with Accurate XMR 2015 I can get .5 groups with Varget, benchmark, and I can get .5" groups with 3700fps with a mid range load of VV N133 with the 50gr. No that is not a typo, shot 5 rounds and stopped because I thought the load was too hot. Came home tore down 5 random loads from the lot and all measured the same to within .1 gr or less. In talking to other reloaders I found tha VV powders tend to run velocities a little hotter than shown in the book.... there are a bunch of powder that work good in the 223. Check http://www.6mmbr.com/ for a lot of good info on the 223 and reloading for it. __________________ Solving Virginia's Ground Hog problems 50gr at a time.....

February 20, 2010, 12:48 AM	#9
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I'm not a big fan of "one power fits all" . I shoot a lot of 223s either 52-55 grans in my 1 in 12 twist guns or 77-80 grns in my 1 in 7 twist guns. I have about 30 lbs of 335 which is an excelent power of the lighter bullets but in dosn't work worth a hoot with the heavier bullets (in my gusn). I'm talking target rifles, if you hare just plinking you can probably get by. Differant bullet weights need differant burning rates to propertly work. Yeah, reloading manuals show the loads, but go through your manuals that list MOST ACCURATE LOADS, I doubt you will find the same power listed or the most accurate load with differant bullet weights. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 28, 2010, 05:40 PM	#10
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I know it won't work for everyone but a buddy told me about 26.5grs of WW748 and it worked great in my 14" Contender with 50, 52 and 55 gr bullets. All three loads about .6-.7" @ 100 yds! Seems to work in bolt rifles and single shot rifles as well, not sure about mouse guns. Doesn't make much sense but if it works, I like it. My newest Hornady manual shows a max load of 26.4grs for a 55 gr bullet so please read the stickies and your other manuals and approach with caution. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

February 19, 2010, 11:32 PM	#2
rude robert Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Posts: 116	i see viht n 140 it also works with the most bullets. now im more confused lol

February 19, 2010, 11:56 PM	#4
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	Ramshot TAC and/or Exterminator.

February 20, 2010, 12:07 AM	#5
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	Accurate 2230 or Benchmark ... if you can find it. Accurate is more reasonable. I get mine locally for $20 a can, and it works on all loads from 35gr. up to 90 gr. bullets.

February 20, 2010, 12:13 AM	#6
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	H322 or TAC works for me.

February 20, 2010, 12:32 AM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Robert I just answered your post on which brass to use and came across this post on powder. Powder use for the 223/5.56 will depend on the weight of your bullet and length. Here is a VERRRRRY GOOD source of data on the caliber you are going to use: http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html Good luck and stay safe. Jim

February 28, 2010, 05:43 PM	#11
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Powders in a very specific burn rate bracket work well for 223. Some good bets are W748/BLC2, H335, H322, IMR 4895, and Varget. I load 26.1 gr W748 under Hornady 68 gr MBTHP for my AR. It shoots very well. I also load 26.1 gr W748 under 55 gr Hornady SP for my bolt gun. It shoots well. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 28, 2010, 08:06 PM	#12
88KEYS Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Posts: 145	2230 works well and meters great

February 28, 2010, 08:09 PM	#13
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	RAM TAC

February 28, 2010, 08:16 PM	#14
Blue Grass Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Posts: 398	AA-2230 and AA-2460.

February 28, 2010, 10:18 PM	#15
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	I have load data from 36gr Barnes VG to 73gr Berger for AA2230 and it works great and meters excellent. I use Benchmark for 52-55gr bullets as my most accurate load. I have Benchmark load data for the same bullets as AA2230. I use Varget for bullets 68gr and larger. Varget, R15 and IMR 4064 are very close in burn rate, but Varget and R15 are a little easier to meter. Benchmark and AA2230 are very easy to meter. 4198 looked to fast for me in .223. It is popular with 7.62x39. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.