IMR Powder for .223 55grain - Page 2

sawdustdad · March 9, 2015, 08:40 PM

My powder of choice has always been W748 for .223 in my Ruger #1 heavy varmit. To be honest, I probably only tried 3 or 4 powders (4198, 4895, 3031) before settling on W748. That was 30 years ago. With .75MOA groups, I just quit, figuring the rifle was better than me and trying for anything better was just wasting barrel.

With only a couple pounds of W748 on hand (and locally unavailable) and 1100 .223 brass to load, it was recommended on this forum that I try BLC-2. Taking that advice and with an 8 lb keg of BLC2 in hand, I've loaded some mid range charge rounds to test in my AR. They cycle and fire fine, just haven't had a chance to check for accuracy at the range yet. These are really just range rounds, so I'm not looking for ultimate accuracy with my AR. I'm not planning to work up a load for max accuracy with the BLC2 at this point. I'll try them in my #1 at some point, but with quite a bit of carefully crafted ammo for the #1, It would only be an interesting experiment.

603Country · March 10, 2015, 10:38 AM

For me, best accuracy for several bullets were: AA 2230 with the 65 gr Sierra GK; H335 with the 40 gr Nosler BT. With the 55 gr NBT, Varget gave good accuracy, but I'd need more work to be positive.

TRDFurgesson · March 10, 2015, 12:43 PM

8208 XBR for accuracy, CFE 223 for velocity. 8208 has been stellar in my M4's, sub MOA from 55gr to 77gr pills.

March 10, 2015, 12:43 PM	#28
TRDFurgesson Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 115	8208 XBR for accuracy, CFE 223 for velocity. 8208 has been stellar in my M4's, sub MOA from 55gr to 77gr pills. __________________ Ohioans for conceal carry A Glock that is not maintained will last, a Glock that is maintained will last a long time, and a Glock that is well maintained will last longer than you will.

March 9, 2015, 08:40 PM	#26
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	My powder of choice has always been W748 for .223 in my Ruger #1 heavy varmit. To be honest, I probably only tried 3 or 4 powders (4198, 4895, 3031) before settling on W748. That was 30 years ago. With .75MOA groups, I just quit, figuring the rifle was better than me and trying for anything better was just wasting barrel. With only a couple pounds of W748 on hand (and locally unavailable) and 1100 .223 brass to load, it was recommended on this forum that I try BLC-2. Taking that advice and with an 8 lb keg of BLC2 in hand, I've loaded some mid range charge rounds to test in my AR. They cycle and fire fine, just haven't had a chance to check for accuracy at the range yet. These are really just range rounds, so I'm not looking for ultimate accuracy with my AR. I'm not planning to work up a load for max accuracy with the BLC2 at this point. I'll try them in my #1 at some point, but with quite a bit of carefully crafted ammo for the #1, It would only be an interesting experiment.

March 10, 2015, 10:38 AM	#27
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	For me, best accuracy for several bullets were: AA 2230 with the 65 gr Sierra GK; H335 with the 40 gr Nosler BT. With the 55 gr NBT, Varget gave good accuracy, but I'd need more work to be positive.