Best powder for .223/5.56

[Leo_B]

Is there a single powder really good for both .223 and 5.56 when loading 55gr. and 62gr. bullets?

 

[NF1E]

Varget works well for me. Whatta Hobby!

 

[JSH]

CFE 223

 

[Bronsin]

H4895, AR-Comp, and N135

 

[WV Hitman]

Bench rest shooters have used H-322( forever). I have used this for over 40 years taking close to 2000 groundhogs with my .223 Contender handgun. I get 3/8" groups.

 

[NCVarhtr]

I've used Benchmark for over 20 years and have killed many , many Prairie Dogs, groundhogs and some Coyotes. I like it a lot, its a stable powder , burns fairly clean with CCI-450 primers and I get excellent accuracy and low ES and SD. Works for me. Just another option for you to consider.

 

[DGP4]

I have narrowed it down to Ramshot TAC and BL-C (2). TAC for lighter bullets and BL-C (2) for the heavier ones. I have gone through about 6 of the usual powders before settling on these two.

 

[kelbro]

H335, W748, CFE 223, BLC-2

 

[SSL]

I use a lot of AA2200, CFE223, and occasionally H322 in the past. All work great over a fair range of bullet weights.

 

[rockhound78]

I use TAC for my bolt guns and AA2230 for gas guns.

 

[joshb]

I’ve used H335 for years but tried CFE223 a couple years ago. It works very well and it was CHEAP when I bought it. $40/pound, if I remember correctly.

 

[CJ6]

N 133.

 

[nakneker]

There’s many powders that work for both of those cases. H335 is a good one, small ball powder that measures easily if you’re using a powder measure which I do on 223 bulk rounds. Several H powders like Varget and H322 work well, Vihtavouri has become a favorite of mine, N133, N135 and N140 depending on how heavy of bullet your using. There’s several powders that work well for that case. I’d suggest picking the bullet you want to use, taking 2-3 suggestions and see what the rifle tells you as far as accuracy and speed, the gun will let you know what it likes.

One comment about H335, it doesn’t burn as hot as many as the other powders for that case which means your throat lasts longer. Some people really like that about H335, myself included.

 

[CF Junkie]

Varget - if you shoot in varying temperature conditions and shoot 70 gr bullets and heavier.
H4895 and N540 are also very accurate with heavier bullets. but I adjust loads for temperature changes.
For light bullets 55 gr & under, N133 works great for me.

 

[kelbro]

One comment about H335, it doesn’t burn as hot as many as the other powders for that case which means your throat lasts longer. Some people really like that about H335, myself included.

And you can get H335 at WalMart!

 

[jelenko]

The OP is planning to shoot 55 and 62 grain bullets

 

[Gary in MD]

Benchmark or TAC for 50 -55 grainers here

 

[TheOtherZilla]

H335, W760, Varget... Edit 748

 

[Flycaster1977]

Is there a single powder really good for both .223 and 5.56 when loading 55gr. and 62gr. bullets?

I have had good luck with tac

 

[jcm24m]

V-135 cleanest burning powder I’ve ever used!