Preferred powder load for .223

txbikerinpa · February 5, 2016, 02:54 PM

I have been gifted a couple of thousand primed 223 cases and a couple of hundred 55gr Sierra. I want to reload them and am looking for suggestions of powder to use.

Red_Eagle · February 5, 2016, 03:45 PM

I've had the best luck with Varget and N-135.

BBarn · February 5, 2016, 03:49 PM

Many good choices for the .223 with 55 gr. bullets. When I loaded up several hundred rounds of 55 gr. 223 for prairie dogs, I used H335. It flowed well through my powder measure and gave good accuracy.

However, it's supposedly not as good as other powders with regard to ambient temperature variations. I loaded to about 1 gr. below maximum levels and had no problems with loads developed during the late winter/spring and used to up-end prairie dogs during the summer.

I've more recently started working a little with Benchmark and IMR 8208. They both flow well through my powder measure and should be more resistant to changes with temperature.

Xfire68 · February 5, 2016, 04:00 PM

H335, Varget and TAC are my go to 5.56 powders but there are a number of other powders that do the job as well.

Rangerrich99 · February 5, 2016, 04:31 PM

Bearing in mind that I've only been reloading .223 rem for about a year:

IMR 8208 XBR has been my go to powder for .223 rem. Delivers good velocity and in my experience very good consistency and accuracy. Also flows through my Lee perfect powder measure better than any other powder I use (handgun or rifle), with consistent drops +/- 0.1 grains (for reference, I've loaded a little over 4,000 .223 rounds to date).

Supposedly this powder is very temperature insensitive (I live in AZ so temperature and humidity aren't very relevant).

Jwilson904 · February 5, 2016, 05:50 PM

I use H335

rebs · February 5, 2016, 06:36 PM

I like H335, CFE223 and IMR3031 all are extremely accurate and shoot under 1 inch at 100 yds.

NHSHOOTER · February 5, 2016, 06:38 PM

my pet load for my 223 is H380 but that is with a 50 gr bullet

603Country · February 5, 2016, 07:10 PM

I use H335. Better accuracy, for me, than Varget. I also had excellent results with AA2230.

mohr308 · February 7, 2016, 11:55 AM

I've used a lot of H335 for my SGK bullets, but found the most accurate has been Benchmark.

603Country · February 7, 2016, 12:16 PM

If and when I ever run out of the 223 powders I have, I plan to try Benchmark.

NHSHOOTER · February 7, 2016, 06:05 PM

I have tried benchmark in a few different calibers with good results, almost seems like a new go to powder like varget..

4runnerman · February 7, 2016, 09:23 PM

25.5 varget here.

swampy308 · February 8, 2016, 12:29 AM

I use H-335 and Sierra 50 gr. Blits king and get under half inch groups.

5whiskey · February 8, 2016, 11:07 PM

I personally had really good luck with x terminator (i.e. accurate 2230). It's not the best measuring in a lee loader, but it was clean and accurate.

Nitescout · February 9, 2016, 12:19 AM

I like Varget when I can find it ...I also use CFE 223, and IMR 3031.

Clark · February 9, 2016, 02:03 AM

14 gr Blue Dot and 100 shots per hour are possible without getting a hot barrel.

If you get more than 100 shot opportunities per hour, switch to rimfire.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 9, 2016, 08:51 AM

In order of choice.

H335 is my first choice for a go to with 55 grain bullets. I have to as of yet not seen a rifle that would not give MOA or better with that combo.

Next is IMR4166 across the board for bullets from 50 to 75 grains it is the most consistent I have used so far. Not the best, far from the worst. Nothing tested gave worse than 1.5 MOA at worst. Best were sub MOA.

02bigdogs17 · February 9, 2016, 09:38 AM

The .223 is an awesome round to load for because it is not very picky at all. I load for a 1-12" and a 1-9" rifle that I own and they like different loads. The best powder with a 55gr pill in the 1-12" rifle that I have had the best accuracy with is IMR 3031. In the 1-9" rifle with 55 gr bullets I can get 1/4" or better accuracy @ 100yds out of Hodgdon Benchmark, Varget, and BLC-2. I have gotten really good results out of many powders but those 3 were the best in my rifle.

rodfac · February 10, 2016, 05:47 PM

H335, Win 748, 4064, 4895 & Re-15 have all worked well for me shooting over the Nat'l Match Course in CMP/NRA competition at 200, 300 and 600 yds. I shoot a Colt H-BAR with a Colt barrel on it. Any of the above, with any of the Sierra or Hornady Match grade bullets will do a MOA from my AR.

I never tried for the last fps of velocity however. I shot 69 gr Sierra MK's at 200 & 300 and 80 gr Sierra's at 600 until the 77 gr MK came along. I now use that for the match or two a year I now shoot. Any of those powders will do very well with Sierra or Hornady's 52-53 gr Match bullets as well and are generally cheaper than Varget here locally.

HTH's Rod

simco6 · February 10, 2016, 08:20 PM

Not to hijack but I just had a thought if you have varget, cfe223, blc2, h335, h322 and you load a 55 grain hollow point at 3000 fps will the point of impact be fairly close to the same in all powders

C7AR15 · February 11, 2016, 03:48 AM

Hot load of benchmark and 69g Sierra MK = Exellence

oley55 · February 11, 2016, 05:34 AM

for me 55gr likes H335, 69gr+ likes Varget

As yet I have not found a single powder that performs equally well in 55gr and 69gr.

MJFlores · February 11, 2016, 06:07 AM

I'm surprised nobody mentioned H-322. It's my favorite powder in .223 / 5.56. I have some really accurate loads from 50 grain bullets up to 65 grain bullets over H-322 powder. It's my Go To for .223.

oldreloader · February 13, 2016, 12:11 AM

My 2 favorites are BLC-2 and AA2230.

February 5, 2016, 02:54 PM	#1
txbikerinpa Junior Member Join Date: May 8, 2012 Posts: 4	Preferred powder load for .223 I have been gifted a couple of thousand primed 223 cases and a couple of hundred 55gr Sierra. I want to reload them and am looking for suggestions of powder to use.

February 5, 2016, 03:45 PM	#2
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I've had the best luck with Varget and N-135. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

February 5, 2016, 04:00 PM	#4
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,562	H335, Varget and TAC are my go to 5.56 powders but there are a number of other powders that do the job as well. __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

February 7, 2016, 09:23 PM	#13
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	25.5 varget here. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 9, 2016, 02:03 AM	#17
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	14 gr Blue Dot and 100 shots per hour are possible without getting a hot barrel. If you get more than 100 shot opportunities per hour, switch to rimfire. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

February 5, 2016, 03:49 PM	#3
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	Many good choices for the .223 with 55 gr. bullets. When I loaded up several hundred rounds of 55 gr. 223 for prairie dogs, I used H335. It flowed well through my powder measure and gave good accuracy. However, it's supposedly not as good as other powders with regard to ambient temperature variations. I loaded to about 1 gr. below maximum levels and had no problems with loads developed during the late winter/spring and used to up-end prairie dogs during the summer. I've more recently started working a little with Benchmark and IMR 8208. They both flow well through my powder measure and should be more resistant to changes with temperature.

February 5, 2016, 04:31 PM	#5
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	Bearing in mind that I've only been reloading .223 rem for about a year: IMR 8208 XBR has been my go to powder for .223 rem. Delivers good velocity and in my experience very good consistency and accuracy. Also flows through my Lee perfect powder measure better than any other powder I use (handgun or rifle), with consistent drops +/- 0.1 grains (for reference, I've loaded a little over 4,000 .223 rounds to date). Supposedly this powder is very temperature insensitive (I live in AZ so temperature and humidity aren't very relevant).

February 5, 2016, 05:50 PM	#6
Jwilson904 Member Join Date: May 10, 2015 Posts: 56	I use H335

February 5, 2016, 06:36 PM	#7
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I like H335, CFE223 and IMR3031 all are extremely accurate and shoot under 1 inch at 100 yds.

February 5, 2016, 06:38 PM	#8
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	my pet load for my 223 is H380 but that is with a 50 gr bullet

February 5, 2016, 07:10 PM	#9
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I use H335. Better accuracy, for me, than Varget. I also had excellent results with AA2230.

February 7, 2016, 11:55 AM	#10
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 466	I've used a lot of H335 for my SGK bullets, but found the most accurate has been Benchmark.

February 7, 2016, 12:16 PM	#11
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	If and when I ever run out of the 223 powders I have, I plan to try Benchmark.

February 7, 2016, 06:05 PM	#12
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	I have tried benchmark in a few different calibers with good results, almost seems like a new go to powder like varget..

February 8, 2016, 12:29 AM	#14
swampy308 Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Posts: 93	I use H-335 and Sierra 50 gr. Blits king and get under half inch groups.

February 8, 2016, 11:07 PM	#15
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	I personally had really good luck with x terminator (i.e. accurate 2230). It's not the best measuring in a lee loader, but it was clean and accurate.

February 9, 2016, 12:19 AM	#16
Nitescout Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2015 Location: central kansas Posts: 119	I like Varget when I can find it ...I also use CFE 223, and IMR 3031.

February 9, 2016, 08:51 AM	#18
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	In order of choice. H335 is my first choice for a go to with 55 grain bullets. I have to as of yet not seen a rifle that would not give MOA or better with that combo. Next is IMR4166 across the board for bullets from 50 to 75 grains it is the most consistent I have used so far. Not the best, far from the worst. Nothing tested gave worse than 1.5 MOA at worst. Best were sub MOA. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 9, 2016, 09:38 AM	#19
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	The .223 is an awesome round to load for because it is not very picky at all. I load for a 1-12" and a 1-9" rifle that I own and they like different loads. The best powder with a 55gr pill in the 1-12" rifle that I have had the best accuracy with is IMR 3031. In the 1-9" rifle with 55 gr bullets I can get 1/4" or better accuracy @ 100yds out of Hodgdon Benchmark, Varget, and BLC-2. I have gotten really good results out of many powders but those 3 were the best in my rifle.

February 10, 2016, 05:47 PM	#20
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	H335, Win 748, 4064, 4895 & Re-15 have all worked well for me shooting over the Nat'l Match Course in CMP/NRA competition at 200, 300 and 600 yds. I shoot a Colt H-BAR with a Colt barrel on it. Any of the above, with any of the Sierra or Hornady Match grade bullets will do a MOA from my AR. I never tried for the last fps of velocity however. I shot 69 gr Sierra MK's at 200 & 300 and 80 gr Sierra's at 600 until the 77 gr MK came along. I now use that for the match or two a year I now shoot. Any of those powders will do very well with Sierra or Hornady's 52-53 gr Match bullets as well and are generally cheaper than Varget here locally. HTH's Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

February 10, 2016, 08:20 PM	#21
simco6 Junior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: southeastern oklahoma Posts: 13	Not to hijack but I just had a thought if you have varget, cfe223, blc2, h335, h322 and you load a 55 grain hollow point at 3000 fps will the point of impact be fairly close to the same in all powders

February 11, 2016, 03:48 AM	#22
C7AR15 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2011 Location: Burnaby Posts: 260	1/2 inch groups Hot load of benchmark and 69g Sierra MK = Exellence

February 11, 2016, 05:34 AM	#23
oley55 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2013 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 377	for me 55gr likes H335, 69gr+ likes Varget As yet I have not found a single powder that performs equally well in 55gr and 69gr. __________________ “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” ― Ronald Reagan

February 11, 2016, 06:07 AM	#24
MJFlores Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 539	I'm surprised nobody mentioned H-322. It's my favorite powder in .223 / 5.56. I have some really accurate loads from 50 grain bullets up to 65 grain bullets over H-322 powder. It's my Go To for .223.

February 13, 2016, 12:11 AM	#25
oldreloader Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 251	My 2 favorites are BLC-2 and AA2230.