best powder for .223

rbf420 · May 27, 2011, 05:32 PM

looking for a good clean burning, accurate powder, for the .223 in my AR-15. thanks for the input

Marco Califo · May 27, 2011, 05:39 PM

That will vary based on the weight of the bullets you use.

Good bets are:

H-335
Varget
AA 2230 (guess why it has that name)
AA 2230-C, Bulk powder that loads using AA 2460 data

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...d_data_3.5.pdf

HJ857 · May 27, 2011, 05:45 PM

My experience is limited, just H335, BLC-2, RE15 and TAC. Out of those it's Ramshot TAC hands down for both clean and accurate, plus I'd add economical as well.

praetorian97 · May 27, 2011, 05:47 PM

I am still a newb but I did 50 rounds this past weekend. 55 FMJ w/ 25 gr of Varget and I was able to hit clays at 100 yards with a red dot scope out of my ar-15. And heres the amazing part. The brass didnt expand to the point of needing to be trimmed again.

JimPage · May 27, 2011, 05:50 PM

Ramshot TAC is all I've used and never felt the need for anything different. I load 50 and 55 gr bullets.

chris in va · May 27, 2011, 06:42 PM

I'm completely new to 223 as well (although thousands of other calibers) and I can say that 335 is quite clean with very little carbon buildup after 700 rounds. If only my handgun powder was that clean.

603Country · May 27, 2011, 06:45 PM

Much to my surprise, my 223 likes AA2230 the best. I also tried Varget, 4064, and H335. The AA2230 is behind a 65 gr Sierra GK. Cases are Nosler.

tom234 · May 27, 2011, 11:49 PM

Another +1 for AA2230

Miata Mike · May 27, 2011, 11:54 PM

I have only used H335 so far. I will be watching this thread.

jhansman · May 28, 2011, 03:30 AM

After trying a few, I've settled on H335 for my Saiga .223. Clean and consistent.

praetorian97 · May 28, 2011, 09:45 AM

Hey Jhansman....

Shouldn't your signature say....

Blessed is the man who has A WIFE WHO HAS nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

Mike38 · May 28, 2011, 11:35 AM

I have always had very good results using IMR3031 on bullets ranging from 40 to 55 grain. The best load to date is 22.5 grains of 3031 under 53 grain Hornady A-Max bullets.

I’ve never tried any bullets over 55 grain, my rifle has a 1:12 twist so I doubt the heavier bullets would work well.

scsov509 · May 28, 2011, 12:38 PM

Another vote for TAC, especially in my plinking loads. It's clean, versatile, and meters well too. For smaller volume accuracy loads I like Varget.

4runnerman · May 28, 2011, 12:41 PM

RL-15 all the way. Tried them all.H-335,Varget,ect ect. Each gun will have one it likes best. I know it's costly to try them all,,but....Try find some friends that have different powders(from list above) and see if you can get like 150 gns of each.Load up some of each powder and see what happens Do not adjust scope for tests,you are just looking for group size to start to find best powder.

Dave R · May 28, 2011, 01:06 PM

I've tried H335 and Varget. H335 printed a little tighter in my rifles with 40gr. varmit bullets and 55gr. FMJ.

I have 'heard' that Varget is better with heavier bullets, H335 with lighter ones. If I try another powder, I'll try TAC.

Marco Califo · May 28, 2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Blessed is the man who has A WIFE WHO HAS nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

There used to be restaurant/club in Dana Point called "The Quiet Woman". See, she had lost her head . . . ala Henry the VIIIth.

CherokeeT · May 28, 2011, 02:42 PM

Been using H335 and AA2230 since about 1975. Tried others but these are my mainstay. The newer TAC seems to be gaining favor as well and I have some to try.

**Unclenick** · May 28, 2011, 03:31 PM

For heavy bullets I usually wind up with Varget or 748. For light bullets, though not the greatest velocity producer, either IMR or H 4198 produce cloverleaf accuracy, and since the charges run in the low 20's of grains, they are economical. For a little better velocity with light bullets, Reloader 10X is another good choice, but you lose the economy.

thallub · May 28, 2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

I have always had very good results using IMR3031 on bullets ranging from 40 to 55 grain.

+1
So have i. In the late 60s i worked up loads using all the recommended .223 powders then available. Settled on IMR 3031 and have never looked back.

FM12 · May 28, 2011, 08:39 PM

50-55 grains, H 335 hands down for accuracy. At least in bolt guns, cant testify for AR platform.

TXGunNut · May 28, 2011, 09:44 PM

My 14" T/C Contender thinks there's something magical about 26.5grs of WW748. Got the load from a guy who loaded it for a rifle and I passed it on to a guy who had great results with it in another bolt gun. I'm looking forward to trying H335 next time I need to load this round.

Bamashooter · May 29, 2011, 12:54 AM

IMR-4895, W748, Ramshot Tac, are all clean burning powders in my opinion. I mostly just use Tac in my .223 now.

jhansman · May 30, 2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Hey Jhansman....

Shouldn't your signature say....

Blessed is the man who has A WIFE WHO HAS nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

Uhh, sure, but I'd never say that.

straightShot · May 30, 2011, 08:11 AM

I like 24.5 grains of Ramshot TAC with a 55 gr FMJBT round. It works well.

10Ringmagic · May 30, 2011, 08:37 AM

I have had good results using Winchester 748.

May 27, 2011, 05:32 PM	#1
rbf420 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2009 Posts: 166	best powder for .223 looking for a good clean burning, accurate powder, for the .223 in my AR-15. thanks for the input __________________ My Calibers- 9mm, .38spl, .357 mag, .45 acp, 30/06, 303 brit, 7.7 jap, 7.5 french.

May 27, 2011, 05:39 PM	#2
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp That will vary based on the weight of the bullets you use. Good bets are: H-335 Varget AA 2230 (guess why it has that name) AA 2230-C, Bulk powder that loads using AA 2460 data http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...d_data_3.5.pdf

May 28, 2011, 03:30 AM	#10
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	After trying a few, I've settled on H335 for my Saiga .223. Clean and consistent. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

May 28, 2011, 12:41 PM	#14
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	RL-15 all the way. Tried them all.H-335,Varget,ect ect. Each gun will have one it likes best. I know it's costly to try them all,,but....Try find some friends that have different powders(from list above) and see if you can get like 150 gns of each.Load up some of each powder and see what happens Do not adjust scope for tests,you are just looking for group size to start to find best powder. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

May 28, 2011, 01:06 PM	#15
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I've tried H335 and Varget. H335 printed a little tighter in my rifles with 40gr. varmit bullets and 55gr. FMJ. I have 'heard' that Varget is better with heavier bullets, H335 with lighter ones. If I try another powder, I'll try TAC. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

May 27, 2011, 05:45 PM	#3
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 447	My experience is limited, just H335, BLC-2, RE15 and TAC. Out of those it's Ramshot TAC hands down for both clean and accurate, plus I'd add economical as well.

May 27, 2011, 05:47 PM	#4
praetorian97 Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2011 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 455	I am still a newb but I did 50 rounds this past weekend. 55 FMJ w/ 25 gr of Varget and I was able to hit clays at 100 yards with a red dot scope out of my ar-15. And heres the amazing part. The brass didnt expand to the point of needing to be trimmed again.

May 27, 2011, 05:50 PM	#5
JimPage Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 941	Ramshot TAC is all I've used and never felt the need for anything different. I load 50 and 55 gr bullets.

May 27, 2011, 06:42 PM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I'm completely new to 223 as well (although thousands of other calibers) and I can say that 335 is quite clean with very little carbon buildup after 700 rounds. If only my handgun powder was that clean.

May 27, 2011, 06:45 PM	#7
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Much to my surprise, my 223 likes AA2230 the best. I also tried Varget, 4064, and H335. The AA2230 is behind a 65 gr Sierra GK. Cases are Nosler.

May 27, 2011, 11:49 PM	#8
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	Another +1 for AA2230

May 27, 2011, 11:54 PM	#9
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	I have only used H335 so far. I will be watching this thread.

May 28, 2011, 09:45 AM	#11
praetorian97 Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2011 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 455	Hey Jhansman.... Shouldn't your signature say.... Blessed is the man who has A WIFE WHO HAS nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

May 28, 2011, 11:35 AM	#12
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	I have always had very good results using IMR3031 on bullets ranging from 40 to 55 grain. The best load to date is 22.5 grains of 3031 under 53 grain Hornady A-Max bullets. I’ve never tried any bullets over 55 grain, my rifle has a 1:12 twist so I doubt the heavier bullets would work well.

May 28, 2011, 12:38 PM	#13
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	Another vote for TAC, especially in my plinking loads. It's clean, versatile, and meters well too. For smaller volume accuracy loads I like Varget.

May 28, 2011, 02:42 PM	#17
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	Been using H335 and AA2230 since about 1975. Tried others but these are my mainstay. The newer TAC seems to be gaining favor as well and I have some to try. __________________ God Bless America US Army, NRA Endowment TSRA Life, SASS

May 28, 2011, 03:31 PM	#18
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	For heavy bullets I usually wind up with Varget or 748. For light bullets, though not the greatest velocity producer, either IMR or H 4198 produce cloverleaf accuracy, and since the charges run in the low 20's of grains, they are economical. For a little better velocity with light bullets, Reloader 10X is another good choice, but you lose the economy. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

May 28, 2011, 08:39 PM	#20
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	50-55 grains, H 335 hands down for accuracy. At least in bolt guns, cant testify for AR platform.

May 28, 2011, 09:44 PM	#21
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	My 14" T/C Contender thinks there's something magical about 26.5grs of WW748. Got the load from a guy who loaded it for a rifle and I passed it on to a guy who had great results with it in another bolt gun. I'm looking forward to trying H335 next time I need to load this round. __________________ 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.

May 29, 2011, 12:54 AM	#22
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	IMR-4895, W748, Ramshot Tac, are all clean burning powders in my opinion. I mostly just use Tac in my .223 now.

May 30, 2011, 08:11 AM	#24
straightShot Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2000 Location: MI, USA Posts: 668	I like 24.5 grains of Ramshot TAC with a 55 gr FMJBT round. It works well. __________________ Take a kid shooting.

May 30, 2011, 08:37 AM	#25
10Ringmagic Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: MI Posts: 315	I have had good results using Winchester 748.