Best powder for .223 with 12/16 inch barrels ( bolt action )

[borderghost]

Hi just bought a .223 3 lug bolt action , looks like an AR style. Twist rate is a 1-7 or 1-8 . came with an 16 and 12 inch barrels.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with a bolt action and short barrels , with a fast burn rate powder.
Any information would be great.

 

[Iowa Fox]

For my 15 and 16 inch 223 barrels I use two powders. Blue Dot and H322. Just depends on where I'm going as to which powder I load.

 

[borderghost]

For my 15 and 16 inch 223 barrels I use two powders. Blue Dot and H322. Just depends on where I'm going as to which powder I load.

Thanks for the information, this little gun is going to be my short range truck gun for coyotes.

 

[karrarararararar]

I think the first thing you need to do is decide is which bullet you want to shoot then decide on a powder.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Using, 55 and 60 grain, NBT's or, 65 grain, Sierra GK's and 25.7 grains of, Win 748, this load, HAS been, pretty accurate for ME in, a 16", 1-7 twist, barrel. Been shooting THIS Powder for YEARS and it "Meters", awesome !
I'd AVOID, "Max loads", in the SUMMER Month's with almost, ANY,.. Ball Powders !!!
I shoot, ALL 3 bullets with, the SAME Powder chg, Sub 1 MOA @ 100 yds ( Thrown Charges from, a Lil' Dandy ).
I am experimenting with, the Hornady 68 gr Match bullet, now with, a little less Powder ( 25.3 grains of, 748 ) but, I haven't shot it, yet. I would love to find some, IMR 8208 XBR for this Bullet BUT,..it's UN-Obtainum here!

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

The TOP 5 "Best" ( reasonably, Temp Stable ) powders for, a .223 are, "probably",..
IMR 8208 XBR, Varget, N-140, Ramshot Tac and CFE223,.. I "think" ,..
FOR, Bullet weights,.. 65 to 77 grains ,..
GOOD LUCK,. finding them, tho !

 

[Hohn]

Short barrels, faster burn is where it’s at. Think h4198, h322, n130/3, benchmark, LT32 etc

 

[paperpuncher]

Varget shoots lights out in my xp 100 14” barrel

 

[anschuter2013]

The TOP 5 "Best" ( reasonably, Temp Stable ) powders for, a .223 are, "probably",..
IMR 8208 XBR, Varget, N-140, Ramshot Tac and CFE223,.. I "think" ,..
FOR, Bullet weights,.. 65 to 77 grains ,..
GOOD LUCK,. finding them, tho !

If you consider Varget a contender, then H4895 should be a valid choice, although I think of those powders for the heavier bullets. I use LT-32 for the 52-55 grain territory.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Absolutely, H-4895 belongs on that List,.. but, since I have some,.. I forgot to mention it,.. LOL
It's probably, "Semi available" and doesn't "Meter", very well, anyway,.. LOL !
I ALWAYS, keep some, H-4895 on hand and YES, the OP should try to, find some !
I assumed the OP's, 1-7 Twist barrel is, 16 inches long and IMO best with, the "Heavies" @ 60-77 grains and a slower burning Powder BUT, hey,.. I've been wrong, before ! And I have, NO experience with, the 12 inch, "Flame Thrower" !

 

[searcher]

I'd lean towards the faster powders - LT-32, Accurate RL 7, etc. If nothing else - will help to keep the fireball down.

 

[karrarararararar]

I've been seeing H335 available. Could be a good option.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

H335 works here.