powder for reloading 223 ? - Page 2

huntinaz · March 29, 2012, 12:49 PM

I've used IMR-4895 and Varget so far, 55gr Hornady soft point projectiles. I like them both fine but I don't use my AR for precision target shooting so I haven't taken steps to find just what it'll do. I stop when I get an inch at 100 yards and call it good, and I got that with both powders. I really didn't even work up the IMR-4895, I bet it would do better. That's more than minute of coyote which is all I need it to be.

jhansman · March 29, 2012, 12:56 PM

Could never get Varget to work for me in my Howa 1500, but H322 has been stellar. Also tried 4198 with the same results as Varget. I use H335 in my AK with consistent results.

COSteve · March 29, 2012, 12:59 PM

H335 / WC844 for 55 and 62grn Hornadys (great accuracy) in my middy AR.

TAC for 68grn Hornadys for my A4 long range AR and my Savage bolt (5/8" groups are common).

mehavey · March 29, 2012, 01:08 PM

"Favorite Powder" depends on two factors:

- Barrel Length
- Bullet Weight
- (Twist sometimes get thrown in here too)

The "best" powder for a light bullet/short barrel/slower twist will not necessarily be the same as for a heavy bullet/longer barrel/faster twist.

In my case for a 20" barrel, 1-7.7 twist, 77gr SMK: AA2520

mehavey · March 29, 2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

In my case for a 20" barrel, 1-7.7 twist, 77gr SMK: AA2520

And for a 16" M4 variant firing a 55gr FMJ: AR-Comp (1st place by a long shot),

...then H322 and Reloder-10x pretty close together at #2/3
(based on case fill, burn completion and velocity)

DeadCenter · March 29, 2012, 06:54 PM

With Hornady 55gr FMJ in my 1:9 14.5" .223 I get the best accuracy using Varget, I have tried everything between 23.5 - 25.5 gr of H335 and can't come close to 26 gr of Varget. Now on the other hand, H335 behind a 40gr V-max in my 1:12 20" varmint .223 is a tack driver.

Incognito · March 30, 2012, 03:47 AM

WC844, bought a bunch of it a while back. It's going to be my powder for a very long time. Good stuff though

Will Lee · March 30, 2012, 08:36 AM

I'm getting dime size groups out of my Bushmaster Varminter using Ramshot X-Terminator with both 50 & 55 grain Hornady & Barnes bullets

March 29, 2012, 12:49 PM	#26
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	I've used IMR-4895 and Varget so far, 55gr Hornady soft point projectiles. I like them both fine but I don't use my AR for precision target shooting so I haven't taken steps to find just what it'll do. I stop when I get an inch at 100 yards and call it good, and I got that with both powders. I really didn't even work up the IMR-4895, I bet it would do better. That's more than minute of coyote which is all I need it to be. __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

March 29, 2012, 12:56 PM	#27
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	Could never get Varget to work for me in my Howa 1500, but H322 has been stellar. Also tried 4198 with the same results as Varget. I use H335 in my AK with consistent results. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

March 29, 2012, 01:08 PM	#29
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	"Favorite Powder" depends on two factors: - Barrel Length - Bullet Weight - (Twist sometimes get thrown in here too) The "best" powder for a light bullet/short barrel/slower twist will not necessarily be the same as for a heavy bullet/longer barrel/faster twist. In my case for a 20" barrel, 1-7.7 twist, 77gr SMK: AA2520 Last edited by mehavey; March 29, 2012 at 06:45 PM.

March 29, 2012, 12:59 PM	#28
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	H335 / WC844 for 55 and 62grn Hornadys (great accuracy) in my middy AR. TAC for 68grn Hornadys for my A4 long range AR and my Savage bolt (5/8" groups are common).

March 29, 2012, 06:54 PM	#31
DeadCenter Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2006 Posts: 105	With Hornady 55gr FMJ in my 1:9 14.5" .223 I get the best accuracy using Varget, I have tried everything between 23.5 - 25.5 gr of H335 and can't come close to 26 gr of Varget. Now on the other hand, H335 behind a 40gr V-max in my 1:12 20" varmint .223 is a tack driver.

March 30, 2012, 03:47 AM	#32
Incognito Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 370	WC844, bought a bunch of it a while back. It's going to be my powder for a very long time. Good stuff though

March 30, 2012, 08:36 AM	#33
Will Lee Member Join Date: November 30, 2011 Location: North Texas Posts: 99	I'm getting dime size groups out of my Bushmaster Varminter using Ramshot X-Terminator with both 50 & 55 grain Hornady & Barnes bullets