Varget alternative .223

ninosdemente · July 25, 2019, 09:43 PM

I have been using Varget for testing my .223 loads. This is the only powder I have been using as have read from threads/posts here and from asking. Is there a powder I can use for loading for friends/family when they come with me to range? Should I just stick with Varget? I have been looking at the loading books I have but quite frankly, don't know which other powders to choose from. I use Lyman 50th and Hornady 10th. I only have about 2lbs left so I will need to get more powder soon. I just recently purchased 1,000 pulled 55gr projectiles and will be loading those for just shooting.

Loading for Savage 12FV, 1:8
Have been testing/using 69gr projectiles

**Unclenick** · July 25, 2019, 10:13 PM

Varget is actually a little slow for 55-grain bullets. It works best with 69-grain bullets and heavier. Also, those are usually match loads, while the pull-downs won't likely be tack drivers with any powder due to having experienced some degree of distortion from crimping.

For rolling less expensive plinking loads, a faster powder that needs fewer grains per round is more economical and better suited to the lighter bullets. You could use something like IMR4198. You'll only need around 19-20 grains per round for plinking with those bullets, so it will last longer.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · July 25, 2019, 10:57 PM

I use a powder that came to this country years ago from Israel as a military surplus powder from bullet pulled 556 cartridge's.
Accurate Arms 2230.
I like it allot. For 52 to 55 grain burns clean. Never ever encountered any problems with its use.

wbbh · July 26, 2019, 12:14 AM

I've been using CFE223 for my general purpose .223/5.56 AR loads, but I'm looking a Shooters World Tactical Rifle powder.

BTW, I'm getting excellent accuracy with Varget and 53 grain SMK bullets in a bolt action.

Jim Watson · July 26, 2019, 12:17 AM

For plinking with pulled bullets, pick a Ball process powder that will meter well.

BBarn · July 26, 2019, 07:21 AM

Ball powders H335, BL-C(2), and CFE223 have all worked well for me in the 223 with 55gr bullets.

jpx2rk · July 26, 2019, 07:40 AM

AR Comp is another alternative, and H322 is working well for me with 50g bullets.

603Country · July 26, 2019, 10:15 AM

I like A2230, and got great accuracy, but it was hard to find. I now use H335 for 40, 55, 60, 64, and 65 gr bullets. Also great accuracy.

hounddawg · July 26, 2019, 01:12 PM

I use TAC and whatever bulk bullets I can lay my hands on for AR fodder as I call it. Son in law comes up we take about 250 or 300 rounds and shoot them at paper plates off hand open sights at 50

TAC is a fine ball that meters like water and is $5 USD cheaper per pound at Powder Valley. I throw it directly to the case it meters so well. Saves time and money

ninosdemente · July 26, 2019, 07:09 PM

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I will write these down as I have to make a quick run at Cabelas and see what they have available from the above powders mentioned above. Planning on making some for this Sunday. Unfortunately not enough time to order online.

std7mag · July 27, 2019, 04:07 AM

For the 55gr class of bullets, i'm having favorable results with Win 748, and Alliant Varmint.

Bfglowkey · July 27, 2019, 05:37 AM

BLC2 is one of the easiest, least expensive powders that performs very well for that bullet weight in 223.

ninosdemente · July 27, 2019, 07:53 PM

The only ones on the shelf were BLC2, IMR4198 and H322. The BLC2 was the cheapest of the three.

Ifishsum · July 28, 2019, 12:57 AM

BL-C(2) is a great .223 powder IMO, and meters very well in a thrower for easy loading.

Ike Clanton · July 28, 2019, 11:31 AM

I developed a load with Alliant power pro 2000mr. Meters well and is close to the same burn rate as varget. 28.5 grains with a 62gr bullet gave 2930 FPS in a 16in tube.

jetinteriorguy · July 28, 2019, 02:14 PM

For 55gr bullets all I have used is H335 and BLC2. Work great.

ninosdemente · July 28, 2019, 11:20 PM

I went with the H335, see how that goes and for next time I'll get the BLC2. Thanks guys for the help. Will see what others are on the shelf from the listed powders mentioned.

jetinteriorguy · July 29, 2019, 06:38 AM

If I'm not mistaken, H335 is just the canister grade of BLC2. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the exact relationship could chime in here.

sparkyv · July 29, 2019, 07:37 AM

What? No love for H4895, RL15, IMR3031?

ninosdemente · July 29, 2019, 08:07 PM

sparkyv, haha. Those were not available at Cabelas. They did not have much available from the powders mentioned above.

jetinteriorguy · July 30, 2019, 05:57 AM

I love H4895 for my Hornady 68gr Match HPBT. Best load my rifle shoots, if I'm doing my part 1/2" at 100yds no problem, and on a really good (rare) day I'll get almost a 1/4" group.

July 25, 2019, 09:43 PM	#1
ninosdemente Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2017 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 831	Varget alternative .223 I have been using Varget for testing my .223 loads. This is the only powder I have been using as have read from threads/posts here and from asking. Is there a powder I can use for loading for friends/family when they come with me to range? Should I just stick with Varget? I have been looking at the loading books I have but quite frankly, don't know which other powders to choose from. I use Lyman 50th and Hornady 10th. I only have about 2lbs left so I will need to get more powder soon. I just recently purchased 1,000 pulled 55gr projectiles and will be loading those for just shooting. Loading for Savage 12FV, 1:8 Have been testing/using 69gr projectiles

July 25, 2019, 10:13 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,721	Varget is actually a little slow for 55-grain bullets. It works best with 69-grain bullets and heavier. Also, those are usually match loads, while the pull-downs won't likely be tack drivers with any powder due to having experienced some degree of distortion from crimping. For rolling less expensive plinking loads, a faster powder that needs fewer grains per round is more economical and better suited to the lighter bullets. You could use something like IMR4198. You'll only need around 19-20 grains per round for plinking with those bullets, so it will last longer. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

July 26, 2019, 01:12 PM	#9
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	I use TAC and whatever bulk bullets I can lay my hands on for AR fodder as I call it. Son in law comes up we take about 250 or 300 rounds and shoot them at paper plates off hand open sights at 50 TAC is a fine ball that meters like water and is $5 USD cheaper per pound at Powder Valley. I throw it directly to the case it meters so well. Saves time and money __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

July 27, 2019, 04:07 AM	#11
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,611	For the 55gr class of bullets, i'm having favorable results with Win 748, and Alliant Varmint. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

July 28, 2019, 11:31 AM	#15
Ike Clanton Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2017 Location: Oregon Posts: 128	I developed a load with Alliant power pro 2000mr. Meters well and is close to the same burn rate as varget. 28.5 grains with a 62gr bullet gave 2930 FPS in a 16in tube. Last edited by Ike Clanton; July 28, 2019 at 02:19 PM.

July 25, 2019, 10:57 PM	#3
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	I use a powder that came to this country years ago from Israel as a military surplus powder from bullet pulled 556 cartridge's. Accurate Arms 2230. I like it allot. For 52 to 55 grain burns clean. Never ever encountered any problems with its use.

July 26, 2019, 12:14 AM	#4
wbbh Member Join Date: March 31, 2017 Posts: 71	I've been using CFE223 for my general purpose .223/5.56 AR loads, but I'm looking a Shooters World Tactical Rifle powder. BTW, I'm getting excellent accuracy with Varget and 53 grain SMK bullets in a bolt action.

July 26, 2019, 12:17 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,154	For plinking with pulled bullets, pick a Ball process powder that will meter well.

July 26, 2019, 07:21 AM	#6
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	Ball powders H335, BL-C(2), and CFE223 have all worked well for me in the 223 with 55gr bullets.

July 26, 2019, 07:40 AM	#7
jpx2rk Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2015 Posts: 392	AR Comp is another alternative, and H322 is working well for me with 50g bullets.

July 26, 2019, 10:15 AM	#8
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 4,039	I like A2230, and got great accuracy, but it was hard to find. I now use H335 for 40, 55, 60, 64, and 65 gr bullets. Also great accuracy.

July 26, 2019, 07:09 PM	#10
ninosdemente Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2017 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 831	Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I will write these down as I have to make a quick run at Cabelas and see what they have available from the above powders mentioned above. Planning on making some for this Sunday. Unfortunately not enough time to order online.

July 27, 2019, 05:37 AM	#12
Bfglowkey Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2018 Posts: 302	BLC2 is one of the easiest, least expensive powders that performs very well for that bullet weight in 223.

July 27, 2019, 07:53 PM	#13
ninosdemente Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2017 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 831	The only ones on the shelf were BLC2, IMR4198 and H322. The BLC2 was the cheapest of the three.

July 28, 2019, 12:57 AM	#14
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,035	BL-C(2) is a great .223 powder IMO, and meters very well in a thrower for easy loading.

July 28, 2019, 02:14 PM	#16
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,463	For 55gr bullets all I have used is H335 and BLC2. Work great.

July 28, 2019, 11:20 PM	#17
ninosdemente Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2017 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 831	I went with the H335, see how that goes and for next time I'll get the BLC2. Thanks guys for the help. Will see what others are on the shelf from the listed powders mentioned.

July 29, 2019, 06:38 AM	#18
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,463	If I'm not mistaken, H335 is just the canister grade of BLC2. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the exact relationship could chime in here.

July 29, 2019, 07:37 AM	#19
sparkyv Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2015 Location: Deepinnaheartta,Texas Posts: 326	What? No love for H4895, RL15, IMR3031? __________________ μολὼν λαβέ NRA Life Member

July 29, 2019, 08:07 PM	#20
ninosdemente Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2017 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 831	sparkyv, haha. Those were not available at Cabelas. They did not have much available from the powders mentioned above.

July 30, 2019, 05:57 AM	#21
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,463	I love H4895 for my Hornady 68gr Match HPBT. Best load my rifle shoots, if I'm doing my part 1/2" at 100yds no problem, and on a really good (rare) day I'll get almost a 1/4" group.