Best powder for .223/5.56

[chop house]

. Talk of $4 a pound is like telling the “walked to school in the snow uphill both ways” stories.

" ... And rifles were $15 each at the local hardware store ..."

 

[joshb]

" ... And rifles were $15 each at the local hardware store ..."

Yup!!! I remember the guns stuffed into a wooden barrel at the gun stores! I kinda remember “Your choice for $25.” On the side of the barrel. Mausers, 1903s and such war relics.

 

[topclass2017]

I paid $0.49 for a box of 50 .22LR shells at the local hardware store when I was in elementary school. Yes, they sold ammo to a nine-year old without question. Made the 49 cents from returning soda bottles for the deposit to the mom'n'pop grocery store that shared its parking lot.

 

[jelenko]

I paid $0.49 for a box of 50 .22LR shells at the local hardware store when I was in elementary school. Yes, they sold ammo to a nine-year old without question. Made the 49 cents from returning soda bottles for the deposit to the mom'n'pop grocery store that shared its parking lot.

And it was actually quite appropriate that a 9 year old would have a 22.

 

[Leo_B]

Lots of helpful responses. But for clarity I'll repeat at this time I'm looking for powders for 55gr. and 62gr. in an AR. I might venture to other weights or platforms eventually but for now only those two.

 

[Timon]

H335, or Benchmark and perhaps N135

 

[RabbitSlayer]

There are a bunch. Its hard to ignore the price of xterminator and TAC. Both have worked just fine for me.

I really like how n133 fills the case. I still have a couple years worth of powders, but when I run out I think ill try n135 and n540. VV is where its at for stick powders. The other brands prices have gone crazy and VV has had better availability.

 

[6MMsteve]

re 10 & 1200 if your bulk shooting plinking try American reloading for bulk powder...335 is a good powder

 

[DShortt]

And it was actually quite appropriate that a 9 year old would have a 22.

I'm not too young to remember seeing rifles in the gun rack of pick-ups in the high-school parking lot during deer season.
No one thought a thing about it and there was never a problem. Trucks were probably unlocked, too.

Can you imagine what would happen now?

Things have certainly changed, and not for the better.

 

[mmcu]

Yup!!! I remember the guns stuffed into a wooden barrel at the gun stores! I kinda remember “Your choice for $25.” On the side of the barrel. Mausers, 1903s and such war relics.

Those were good days.

The Gibsons in north Texas had barrels full of these - 1903's, Mauser's and even the occasional Garand.

Opportunities missed...

 

[Gary in MD]

Using ARComp with 55s in an AR

 

[2ndtimer]

Lots of helpful responses. But for clarity I'll repeat at this time I'm looking for powders for 55gr. and 62gr. in an AR. I might venture to other weights or platforms eventually but for now only those two.

First choice Ramshot TAC 55 gr bullets 25.0 gr
62 gr bullets 24.5 gr
for use in warm temperatures
For Cold temperatures Benchmark or IMR 8208XBR as they don't lose as much velocity.
For 69 gr and heavier (if you get there) I have settled on Shooters World Precision Rifle which is very similar to Varget, but when I bought my 8 lb keg it was almost half the price. Now it is more expensive than Varget.?

 

[Want2BS8ed]

25 grains of IMR 8208 XBR with a Sierra #1390 55‑grain Gameking bullet has been consistently accurate in every rifle I’ve used, gas or bolt. It's just one of those universal recipes that seem to work everywhere.

 

[Oso]

Lots of helpful responses. But for clarity I'll repeat at this time I'm looking for powders for 55gr. and 62gr. in an AR. I might venture to other weights or platforms eventually but for now only those two.

Leo…. You literally have asked the most open ended question possible. I can’t think of a cartridge that has a greater range of powders that work well with the cartridge and bullets from 50gr to 80gr. It is an easy round to load and shoot.

For example just in my cabinet… TAC, H322, H335, CFE 223, 8208 XBR, LeverEvolution, N133, N135, H4895, ARComp, Varget, etc. Any of these will do fine. The quality of your rifle (barrel, trigger, and overall fit) and shooting skills will make bigger impact on target than most of these powders.

Sierra Bullets - 223 Rem Load Data

 

[ricco1949]

These days anything that works in the powder cabinet.

I recently repurposed some decades old 760, 3031, and 4198 for next PD season. I really don't mind that I'm giving up 100-300 fps for colony shooting up to 250 yards. Loads still shoot 1/2-3/4 MOA.

I have a few more old jugs to use up before I get into buying mode again. That'll be for PD trip 2...2026.

 

[Leo_B]

These days anything that works in the powder cabinet.

I recently repurposed some decades old 760, 3031, and 4198 for next PD season. I really don't mind that I'm giving up 100-300 fps for colony shooting up to 250 yards. Loads still shoot 1/2-3/4 MOA.

I have a few more old jugs to use up before I get into buying mode again. That'll be for PD trip 2...2026.

The only things coming to mind are police department and public domain. What is PD season?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The only things coming to mind are police department and public domain. What is PD season?

 

[6.5 forever]

Tac

 

[Dgd6mm]

Leo…. You literally have asked the most open ended question possible. I can’t think of a cartridge that has a greater range of powders that work well with the cartridge and bullets from 50gr to 80gr. It is an easy round to load and shoot.

For example just in my cabinet… TAC, 322, 335, CFE 223, 8208 XBR, LeverEvolution, N133, N135, H4895, ARComp, Varget, etc. Any of these will do fine. The quality of your rifle (barrel, trigger, and overall fit) and shooting skills will make bigger impact on target than most of these powders.

Sierra Bullets - 223 Rem Load Data

13 powders in this post alone from Oso.
He mentions any of these would do fine.
I've used 10 of the 13, if you have any of them on hand give one or all a try. Oh, I forgot, you want the best....
I like CFE 223, both in a gas gun and bolt gun but I've ran low on it and will start loading either H335 or N133.

 

[long40shot]

I've had great luck with H335 and Benchmark.