223 reload data

[jgn]

Im looking for some great loads for the ar 15 in 223. looking for 40gr to 55gr bullets ..I know there are alot so please just post 1...I will try them in my s and w ar15 with a 16 in barrel thanks

[Ben Dover]

The "standard" for M193 ball is (or at least was) a 55 grain FMJ bullet backed by 26.0 grins of H335. (actually, the military version of H335, which I believe was WW 846)

This is a maximum load and should be worked up from 10 percent below.

[BigTex308]

Been using h335 a bunch. I like it!



Ike

[Flea21]

Get a reloading manual and follow safe precedures outlined in it.. Good Luck.

[rebs]

I use H335 and at 24.9 grns I get a huge fireball out the end of my 16" barrel.

[UtopiaTexasG19]

Gp to the web sites of the individual powder companies and each will have a lot of load information available.

[jgn]

Ok thanks to everyone...and I did leave one thing out I have been reloading since 1975 when I was discharged from the us army loved the m16 and 45..also I do have reloading manuals..I was trying to see what other reloaders have found out there thanks again

[jgn]

On some of my loads I have used bl-c(2) works well with 40 and 50 gr. hornady v-max bullets.stops woodchucks in there tracks...load weights were from the web site of hodgdon

[Wyoredman]

Hornady lists 23.2 gr H335 as max for their 55gr bullets. I like this load with a magnum primer. It is pretty light (as you will see when you look at Hodgdon and Lyman), but it functions well in the AR and is accurate for plinking. It also save a bit on powder- 2-3 grs per case.

Try it out.

[trobin]

I loaded some 55 zmax on top of 24, 24.5, 25, 25.5, and 26 grains of Win 748 and 2.25 col. I shot 10 of each at 25 yards with iron sights and the 25 grains shot best. No signs of pressure. Mixed lake city and cci sr primers.

[BigTex308]

Originally Posted by jgn

On some of my loads I have used bl-c(2) works well with 40 and 50 gr. hornady v-max bullets.stops woodchucks in there tracks...load weights were from the web site of hodgdon

I like BLC(2) as well. Been loading 26.6 under a 50gr bullet.



Ike

[2ndtimer]

My two favorite powders for the .223 are Ramshot TAC and Accurate 2015. I use both with bullets from 40 to 55 gr and they both work very well. The TAC meters better, being a ball powder and is very close to H-335 in burning rate and represents the majority of my loads on hand with 40 and 50 gr bullets. I also like Varget for 55 gr loads, and have a good supply of those loaded up with Hornady SP and Z-Max bullets. I have used lots of other powders in the past, also like Accurate 2230, Accurate 2460, and Hodgdon CFE-223, but am currently using TAC, 2015 and Varget. Am also planning on trying some IMR-8208XBR in the future.

[BigTex308]

Originally Posted by 2ndtimer

My two favorite powders for the .223 are Ramshot TAC and Accurate 2015. I use both with bullets from 40 to 55 gr and they both work very well. The TAC meters better, being a ball powder and is very close to H-335 in burning rate and represents the majority of my loads on hand with 40 and 50 gr bullets. I also like Varget for 55 gr loads, and have a good supply of those loaded up with Hornady SP and Z-Max bullets. I have used lots of other powders in the past, also like Accurate 2230, Accurate 2460, and Hodgdon CFE-223, but am currently using TAC, 2015 and Varget. Am also planning on trying some IMR-8208XBR in the future.

I've been hearing a lot of good stuff about the TAC. never.tried it though. Varget is just an all around awesome rifle powder. Been real curious about that CFE223. Any more info on that?

I've got 1 pound of the 8208xbr. Haven't.opened it yet. So many powders to try! Varget is one of my favs it's just hard to find these days



Ike

[2ndtimer]

I've been hearing a lot of good stuff about the TAC. never.tried it though. Varget is just an all around awesome rifle powder. Been real curious about that CFE223. Any more info on that?

I've got 1 pound of the 8208xbr. Haven't.opened it yet. So many powders to try! Varget is one of my favs it's just hard to find these days

One of the nice features of TAC is that it shoots very clean and has a copper fouling inhibitor included, similar to CFE-223. In my experience, they are somewhat similar but the CFE-223 is slower burning than TAC. TAC will get higher velocities with bullets 50 gr and under, where CFE-223 seems more appropriate for bullets 55 gr and up. Both powders have very little copper fouling and the barrels clean very easily. Since I shoot a lot more 40 and 50 gr bullets, I will probably stick with TAC and Accurate 2015.
I was fortunate to score a couple of 8 lb kegs of TAC a couple of years ago for $79.99 each, and also grabbed an 8 lb keg of Varget right before the Colorado movie shooting. I also have lucked into 5 lbs of IMR-8208XBR over the past several months. It works great in my son's .338 Federal and I will eventually try it in the .223. I like Varget because of its versatility, it is useable in almost everything I load. Not optimal in all, but functional. I think the IMR-8208XBR may work out similarly. It sure perks in the .338 Federal, and I will eventually also give it a go with light bullets in the .243 Win.

[armoredman]

My go-to load for 55 grain bullets is 24.5 grains of H-335. Works very well in the SA vz-58, gives 2679 av FPS. I can live with that. The 55gr Nosler BTs I use at 24.7 grains, gives about 2745, good for varmint, I would think.

[BigTex308]

Originally Posted by 2ndtimer

One of the nice features of TAC is that it shoots very clean and has a copper fouling inhibitor included, similar to CFE-223. In my experience, they are somewhat similar but the CFE-223 is slower burning than TAC. TAC will get higher velocities with bullets 50 gr and under, where CFE-223 seems more appropriate for bullets 55 gr and up. Both powders have very little copper fouling and the barrels clean very easily. Since I shoot a lot more 40 and 50 gr bullets, I will probably stick with TAC and Accurate 2015.
I was fortunate to score a couple of 8 lb kegs of TAC a couple of years ago for $79.99 each, and also grabbed an 8 lb keg of Varget right before the Colorado movie shooting. I also have lucked into 5 lbs of IMR-8208XBR over the past several months. It works great in my son's .338 Federal and I will eventually try it in the .223. I like Varget because of its versatility, it is useable in almost everything I load. Not optimal in all, but functional. I think the IMR-8208XBR may work out similarly. It sure perks in the .338 Federal, and I will eventually also give it a go with light bullets in the .243 Win.

Thanks for the info! Gonna have to try that CFE223. I usually don't shoot anything less than 50gr.


Ike

[histed]

When you get time to try it, your gonna love the 8208xbr. An awesome powder, especially with benchrest primers. Never tried it in an AR (don't own one) but the groups from my Model 70 223 are the best I've ever seen. And I'll go a +1 on Varget.

[603Country]

I've used H335, AA2230, and BL-C(2) behind 40 grainers, and prefer the H335. Behind the 65 gr Sierra GK, I get great results with AA2230. With the 55 grainers, of the powders I've tried, Varget was best, but I hate having to deal with a case that's brimming with powder. The best Varget load was compressed. Shot very nice though. I spilled enough Varget on my tennis shoes that I took em off before I fired up the BBQ pit.

[Jeff2131]

I have had great success with the following....

40gr bullet, imr 4320, 26.5 gr charge
50gr bullet, imr 4320, 26.0 gr charge
55gr bullet, imr 4320, 25.0 gr charge

All are .224 dia projectiles for .223 ar rifles. With red dot at 50yards, i can shoot out the bullseye with in 20 rounds!!!

[mohr308]

24.5 grains of H335 under a 65 grain SGK.
26 grains of CFE223 under a variety of 55 grain bullets
*nosler Varmageddon
*barnes TTSX
*hornady SP w/cannelure

All these are for my AR 16" barrel 1:9 twist

[JaxJim]

Another vote for TAC. I like it, it's clean and works well in my SBRs with 55 gr bullets.