powder recommendation for 223 - Page 2

wtfTG · December 10, 2015, 10:45 PM

Thank you all for your input. I am taking copious notes and working up my loads according to various suggestions.

I went out today and tested 3 sets of various loads on 3 different bullets.

1. Nothing exploded and I have all body parts.

2. It was remarkably clear that there was a sweet spot in each set.

3. I about pee'd my pants at the improvement in accuracy from the factory loads I have been shooting. I would guess about a 25-33% improvement in groupings with even more improvement in the sweet spots.

Thanks again to all!!!

Road_Clam · December 11, 2015, 08:09 AM

WtfTG, now you are beginning to understand the obvious gains with handloading. The "indirect" benifit is the fact your cpr is cheaper so you can basically load and shoot match quality ammo for the same cost as store bought bulk ammo. I personally enjoy experimenting and restng handloads just as much as shooting.

wpsdlrg · December 14, 2015, 07:22 AM

I recommend H335 with somewhat lighter bullets. 55 grainers shoot extremely well (smaller than 1/2" at 200 yards) over 23.1 grains in my Stevens 200, 22" standard barrel, 1:9 twist.

A 1:8 twist barrel should be even more flexible, though it may prefer heavier bullets over lighter ones.

W748, at 25.1 grains, works equally well, in my rifle (with the 55 grain bullets).

For 68 - 69 grain bullets, Vitavouri N-135 (24.1 grains) seems to work very well.

orionengnr · December 31, 2015, 06:06 PM

Great info as always.
Subscribing so I can come back.

Happy New Year.

wpsdlrg · January 1, 2016, 05:11 AM

24.0 grains of IMR-4895, under a 68 grain Hornady HPBT match bullet. COL = 2.250". Best .223 load I've found so far (0.26" at 100 yards.... 0.61" at 200) - for my rifle.

Just found this load a few days ago. Lucky enough, as I have an 8 lb. jug of 4895 that I was wondering what to do with anyway.

Your mileage may vary.

Road_Clam · January 1, 2016, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpsdlrg

24.0 grains of IMR-4895, under a 68 grain Hornady HPBT match bullet. COL = 2.250". Best .223 load I've found so far (0.26" at 100 yards.... 0.61" at 200) - for my rifle.

Just found this load a few days ago. Lucky enough, as I have an 8 lb. jug of 4895 that I was wondering what to do with anyway.

Your mileage may vary.

24 gr seems to be the magic number with multiple powders for heavier match bullet accuracy in the AR's. My top accuracy loads for my WOA match service rifle is 23.9 gr of Varget , and 24 gr of RL15 using the 77 gr Nosler CC. Both these recipes yield a consistent .8 MOA at 200 meters shooting scoped and off a nice sturdy bench rest

Jimro · January 1, 2016, 07:22 AM

I don't know what it is about 24gr of powder, but it does seem to come up a lot when you are talking 75 to 80gr bullets in 223 for Service Rifle competitors.

One high master shooting a space gun told me, "24 grains of anything suitable under an 80gr Amax is a winning combination." So far I haven't found him to be wrong.

Jimro

rebs · January 1, 2016, 08:21 AM

I use H335 and CFE223 for all my AR loads. Accuracy is under 1 inch at 100 yds. I have some Varget, IMR3031 and H322 but haven't tried them yet.

oldreloader · January 1, 2016, 11:59 PM

My two favorite 223 powders are BL-C2 and AA2230.

Road_Clam · January 2, 2016, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimro

24 grains of anything suitable under an 80gr Amax is a winning combination." So far I haven't found him to be wrong.

Jimro is this recipe a compressed load ? I am strongly contemplating trying the 80gr AMax , i've tried 168's and 208's in .30 cal with excellent results

December 11, 2015, 08:09 AM	#27
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	WtfTG, now you are beginning to understand the obvious gains with handloading. The "indirect" benifit is the fact your cpr is cheaper so you can basically load and shoot match quality ammo for the same cost as store bought bulk ammo. I personally enjoy experimenting and restng handloads just as much as shooting. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

January 1, 2016, 07:22 AM	#32
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	I don't know what it is about 24gr of powder, but it does seem to come up a lot when you are talking 75 to 80gr bullets in 223 for Service Rifle competitors. One high master shooting a space gun told me, "24 grains of anything suitable under an 80gr Amax is a winning combination." So far I haven't found him to be wrong. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

December 10, 2015, 10:45 PM	#26
wtfTG Member Join Date: August 24, 2015 Location: Colorado Posts: 49	Thank you all for your input. I am taking copious notes and working up my loads according to various suggestions. I went out today and tested 3 sets of various loads on 3 different bullets. 1. Nothing exploded and I have all body parts. 2. It was remarkably clear that there was a sweet spot in each set. 3. I about pee'd my pants at the improvement in accuracy from the factory loads I have been shooting. I would guess about a 25-33% improvement in groupings with even more improvement in the sweet spots. Thanks again to all!!!

December 14, 2015, 07:22 AM	#28
wpsdlrg Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2009 Posts: 826	I recommend H335 with somewhat lighter bullets. 55 grainers shoot extremely well (smaller than 1/2" at 200 yards) over 23.1 grains in my Stevens 200, 22" standard barrel, 1:9 twist. A 1:8 twist barrel should be even more flexible, though it may prefer heavier bullets over lighter ones. W748, at 25.1 grains, works equally well, in my rifle (with the 55 grain bullets). For 68 - 69 grain bullets, Vitavouri N-135 (24.1 grains) seems to work very well.

December 31, 2015, 06:06 PM	#29
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,177	Great info as always. Subscribing so I can come back. Happy New Year.

January 1, 2016, 05:11 AM	#30
wpsdlrg Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2009 Posts: 826	24.0 grains of IMR-4895, under a 68 grain Hornady HPBT match bullet. COL = 2.250". Best .223 load I've found so far (0.26" at 100 yards.... 0.61" at 200) - for my rifle. Just found this load a few days ago. Lucky enough, as I have an 8 lb. jug of 4895 that I was wondering what to do with anyway. Your mileage may vary.

January 1, 2016, 08:21 AM	#33
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I use H335 and CFE223 for all my AR loads. Accuracy is under 1 inch at 100 yds. I have some Varget, IMR3031 and H322 but haven't tried them yet.

January 1, 2016, 11:59 PM	#34
oldreloader Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 251	My two favorite 223 powders are BL-C2 and AA2230.