.223/.556 Powder Recommendation

pro2a · May 23, 2020, 08:49 AM

I'm currently using Winchester 748 to load my .223/.556 loads. I'm not having any negative issues but I was just curious what powders others are using for accuracy? Been loading large caliber rifles and handguns for many years but really just got into .223/.556.

Currently all my reloading is for 55 grain bullets.

std7mag · May 23, 2020, 08:59 AM

Same powder i use for that.
Works just fine.
I tried several other powders for the 55gr bullets.
None really outperformed another.

hikingman · May 23, 2020, 11:54 AM

In no particular order, H4895, BL-C(2), H335.

10-96 · May 23, 2020, 01:56 PM

I like Varget.

Marco Califo · May 23, 2020, 03:28 PM

748 is advertised as burning with a cooler flame temp than H335 (WC844). I bought a pound, but have not tried it yet. I have long noticed that WC844 heats up a sporter barrel on a Savage Axis a lot sooner and hotter than I would like. I found my self keeping several rifles out at the range, to let the Axis cool. Tried ice cubes, too. I now have a heavy fluted barrel that is not nearly as prone to fast heating.
748 will also get you max velocity with Speer 70 graon 224 bullets.

Average Joe · May 23, 2020, 05:04 PM

I use w748, BL-C2, and WC846 (when I can find it) for .556/.223, all ball powder, and meter very well, and shoot great.

Shadow9mm · May 23, 2020, 06:35 PM

I have become really fond of benchmark for my 223/556 loads for 55g. I'm shooting 24.8g over a hornady spbt at just under max magazine length of 2.255 for 2927fps in a 16in mid length gas ar, win primers.

kilotanker22 · May 23, 2020, 07:46 PM

Varget is working well for me.

kilotanker22 · May 23, 2020, 07:48 PM

Power Pro Varmint is also showing some promise.

Metal god · May 23, 2020, 08:10 PM

What firearm ?

What do you want out of another powder . Many people have different ideas on what constitutes good or better .

Metering ?

Velocity ?

Temperature stability ?

Burns Cooler then others ?

Accuracy ?

I would think 748 would be a little slow burning for the light 55 grain bullets . My go to 55 grain plinking powder is H-335 . It meters great , accurate enough and gives me good velocities . I do agree that it burns hot it does heat up the barrel and your cases are really hot when they first come out .

pro2a · May 24, 2020, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal god

What firearm ?

What do you want out of another powder . Many people have different ideas on what constitutes good or better .

Metering ?

Velocity ?

Temperature stability ?

Burns Cooler then others ?

Accuracy ?

I would think 748 would be a little slow burning for the light 55 grain bullets . My go to 55 grain plinking powder is H-335 . It meters great , accurate enough and gives me good velocities . I do agree that it burns hot it does heat up the barrel and your cases are really hot when they first come out .

Looking for consistent metering.
At least 2500 FPS
Aero Precision Ar-15 16" barrel, so nothing that's gonna get real hot too fast. I do rapid fire quite a bid.
Something I can group pretty decent. I'm not match shooting.

Marco Califo · May 24, 2020, 12:20 AM

Accurate 2200 is great for light bullets. I have shot 36 grain Varmit Grenades at over 4000 fps. using WP data for 5.56. The bullets stay whole and impact steel plates with a thud at 100 yards.
http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

Wyosam · May 24, 2020, 12:37 AM

I like benchmark or h335 for light bullets in 223

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bjm42 · May 28, 2020, 03:20 AM

In MY Savage Axis ll, Accurate 2200 & Varget are best for consistent accuracy.
This applies to 55gr thru 62gr bullets.
These 2 powders also work very well in my son's AR15.
Of course, YOUR rifle will have it's own preference. Make test loads for comparison @ the range, & you will find your "confidence" round.

AVirginian · May 28, 2020, 05:16 AM

I am a big fan of 8208 XBR, meters great and is a short cut extruded powder.

Bart B. · May 28, 2020, 08:44 AM

Stick (extruded) powders have produced best accuracy for decades.

"Best" means largest groups are smallest.

Metal god · May 28, 2020, 10:53 AM

Quote:

”Best” means largest groups are smallest

I love that quote , to often people claim something is the best with no context.

Bart B. · May 28, 2020, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal god

I love that quote , to often people claim something is the best with no context.

It's popular that "best" means the smallest of small groups.

Metal god · May 28, 2020, 12:11 PM

Agreed I should have added your quote is also correct .

Irish Lad · May 28, 2020, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyosam

I like benchmark or h335 for light bullets in 223

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1 on Benchmark

Rifletom · May 29, 2020, 08:29 PM

Ramshot TAC.

Metal god · May 30, 2020, 01:54 AM

I see a lot of Benchmark and Tac fans . I reslly should gives those a closer look . The problem is I already use so many other powders that I like I don’t really want to work up more loads haha .

jetinteriorguy · May 31, 2020, 11:11 AM

In my range rifle, 18” Criterion, 1/8 twist, .223 Wylde, 18” barrel I like the 68gr Hornady Match HPBT with H4895 consistently around 5/8-3/4 MOA. With some bulk 62gr FMJBT I can just get MOA consistently in the same rifle with H4895 as well. Federal 55gr SPFB I’m also around 1-1.5 MOA consistently with Varget. I full length size with a body die then neck size with a Lee collet die, necks turned, flash holes deburred, primer pockets cleaned,cases all kept within +-.001” in length, using LC brass.

FoghornLeghorn · July 8, 2020, 11:54 AM

Tagged for later

ghbucky · July 8, 2020, 12:14 PM

I'm in the process of working up loads using 8208XBR.

I can't speak to accuracy, but it meters very well and has a perfect fill for .223

May 23, 2020, 08:49 AM	#1
pro2a Junior Member Join Date: May 19, 2020 Posts: 5	.223/.556 Powder Recommendation I'm currently using Winchester 748 to load my .223/.556 loads. I'm not having any negative issues but I was just curious what powders others are using for accuracy? Been loading large caliber rifles and handguns for many years but really just got into .223/.556. Currently all my reloading is for 55 grain bullets.

May 23, 2020, 08:59 AM	#2
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,611	Same powder i use for that. Works just fine. I tried several other powders for the 55gr bullets. None really outperformed another. __________________ 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...

May 23, 2020, 11:54 AM	#3
hikingman Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 302	In no particular order, H4895, BL-C(2), H335. __________________ NRA Life Member

May 23, 2020, 01:56 PM	#4
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,190	I like Varget. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

May 23, 2020, 03:28 PM	#5
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,722	748 is advertised as burning with a cooler flame temp than H335 (WC844). I bought a pound, but have not tried it yet. I have long noticed that WC844 heats up a sporter barrel on a Savage Axis a lot sooner and hotter than I would like. I found my self keeping several rifles out at the range, to let the Axis cool. Tried ice cubes, too. I now have a heavy fluted barrel that is not nearly as prone to fast heating. 748 will also get you max velocity with Speer 70 graon 224 bullets. __________________ ............

May 23, 2020, 05:04 PM	#6
Average Joe Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,332	I use w748, BL-C2, and WC846 (when I can find it) for .556/.223, all ball powder, and meter very well, and shoot great.

May 23, 2020, 06:35 PM	#7
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,603	I have become really fond of benchmark for my 223/556 loads for 55g. I'm shooting 24.8g over a hornady spbt at just under max magazine length of 2.255 for 2927fps in a 16in mid length gas ar, win primers.

May 23, 2020, 07:46 PM	#8
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,127	Varget is working well for me. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

May 23, 2020, 07:48 PM	#9
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,127	Power Pro Varmint is also showing some promise. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

May 23, 2020, 08:10 PM	#10
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 7,135	What firearm ? What do you want out of another powder . Many people have different ideas on what constitutes good or better . Metering ? Velocity ? Temperature stability ? Burns Cooler then others ? Accuracy ? I would think 748 would be a little slow burning for the light 55 grain bullets . My go to 55 grain plinking powder is H-335 . It meters great , accurate enough and gives me good velocities . I do agree that it burns hot it does heat up the barrel and your cases are really hot when they first come out . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

May 24, 2020, 12:20 AM	#12
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,722	Accurate 2200 is great for light bullets. I have shot 36 grain Varmit Grenades at over 4000 fps. using WP data for 5.56. The bullets stay whole and impact steel plates with a thud at 100 yards. http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/ __________________ ............

May 24, 2020, 12:37 AM	#13
Wyosam Member Join Date: March 23, 2020 Posts: 17	I like benchmark or h335 for light bullets in 223 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

May 28, 2020, 03:20 AM	#14
bjm42 Member Join Date: April 23, 2011 Location: Placer Co, CA Posts: 47	.223/.556 Powder Recommendation In MY Savage Axis ll, Accurate 2200 & Varget are best for consistent accuracy. This applies to 55gr thru 62gr bullets. These 2 powders also work very well in my son's AR15. Of course, YOUR rifle will have it's own preference. Make test loads for comparison @ the range, & you will find your "confidence" round.

May 28, 2020, 05:16 AM	#15
AVirginian Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2014 Posts: 128	I am a big fan of 8208 XBR, meters great and is a short cut extruded powder.

May 28, 2020, 08:44 AM	#16
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Stick (extruded) powders have produced best accuracy for decades. "Best" means largest groups are smallest.

May 28, 2020, 12:11 PM	#19
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 7,135	Agreed I should have added your quote is also correct . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

May 29, 2020, 08:29 PM	#21
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 805	Ramshot TAC.

May 30, 2020, 01:54 AM	#22
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 7,135	I see a lot of Benchmark and Tac fans . I reslly should gives those a closer look . The problem is I already use so many other powders that I like I don’t really want to work up more loads haha . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

May 31, 2020, 11:11 AM	#23
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,476	In my range rifle, 18” Criterion, 1/8 twist, .223 Wylde, 18” barrel I like the 68gr Hornady Match HPBT with H4895 consistently around 5/8-3/4 MOA. With some bulk 62gr FMJBT I can just get MOA consistently in the same rifle with H4895 as well. Federal 55gr SPFB I’m also around 1-1.5 MOA consistently with Varget. I full length size with a body die then neck size with a Lee collet die, necks turned, flash holes deburred, primer pockets cleaned,cases all kept within +-.001” in length, using LC brass.

July 8, 2020, 11:54 AM	#24
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 1,000	Tagged for later

July 8, 2020, 12:14 PM	#25
ghbucky Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2020 Posts: 1,187	I'm in the process of working up loads using 8208XBR. I can't speak to accuracy, but it meters very well and has a perfect fill for .223