-
Powder suggestions for .223 loads…
updated 1 year ago
2 Members
·
15
Posts
-
Title pretty much covers it. I’m wondering what powder(s) more experienced loaders recommend for .223 loads?
-
Literally whatever you can find that is listed in your manual.
-
I like H335
-
What grain bullets do you plan on shooting?
For my .223 loads, I use Varget, Tac, A2230 and Benchmark.
-
CFE223 and Varget
-
I only shoot heavier bullets. 69gr in my AR and 80gr in my bolt. CFE-223 is my go-to for either of those. Ram TAC and 2000-MR are similar. I’m sure others have opinions.
-
I choose TAC as the first choice. For second I use H335. After that it’s pretty much whatever i have on hand and what I can buy locally. 🙂
-
I have had good luck with Tac and imr 4895
-
H322, H335, IMR3031
-
varget, you can’t fit too much and most loads will be compressed just crunch away
-
Depending on what ur doing ar comp is good for heavier bullets but works fine with 55gr
And if you cast them I recommend realoader 7
-
I use RL15 and 8208XBR for my 77gr service rifle loads.
-
THe list of 223-capable powders is exceptionally long. If you are willing to just go back reliably and not necessarily looking for peak MV or lowest possible ED/SD, you can use a huge range of powders.
Powders as fast as RL7 and H4198 work well in 223, but so do powders much slower like CFE223, PP2000MR, N140, AA2520 and such.
If you are loading mostly for a bolt action, I’d suggest you consider a slower powder even for lighter loads. You’ll be able to fill the case, get good burn consistency, and if the powder it “too slow” it just costs you a tiny bit of MV and runs a bit dirtier while it extends barrel life.
If you are loading for a gas gun, I’d suggest sticking with faster burning powders that are clean because they make a big difference in reliability and how clean the gun will run. Example: I can run 200+ rounds of 8208 through my AR and it will look like nearly unfired. But only 20 rounds loaded with PP2000mr will have the rifle all sooty in the action and make you wonder how far it will go before it has a function issue.
You don’t need the super slow (for a 223) powders even with heavy bullets in an AR because you are eating up case capacity with the short OAL required for mag feeding. You can get great results with H4895 and faster speed powders in an AR.
If I had to choose one 223 powder for everything forever, it would be IMR8208XBR. Close second goes to Alliant AR Comp. Both run clean (8208 is cleaner) and are very accurate. My third choice would be N135, it’s a bit more expensive but the VV powders imo are worth the extra cost if you are a high volume shooter because they can significantly extend barrel life (100-series powders are single base and have no nitrocellulose and burn clean and cool).
-
Varget, H335 and IMR4895 are great. Alliant 10X Reloder is awful. Would not buy again.
-
H335 has served me well so far.
