Clean powder for 223 40-55 gr

[BobbyJ]

Im putting together a 24" 1/9 twist AR for PD. I've only used CFE 223 for 55 - 69 gr and seems to work well enough. But I'm running low on powder and looking to what to buy. Probably a 8 pound jug.

- Meters decent on Dillon Xl 650
- Burns clean - Do some powders foul up the bore quicker than others? Meaning you start to loose accruacy at 10 shots were another power allows you to keep on shooting without ill effects? I read that 335 is sort of dirty compared to say TAC.
- Good velocity - Would like min 3300-3400 fps from the 53Vmax in the 24" if this is doable.
- Of course good accuracy

Not saying CFE is not good just saying maybe there is something as good and maybe better for 50 gr bullets. I'm looking at TAC or X-Terminator (slightly faster than TAC) Both have anti copper fouling, not sure how well that really works.

 

[dusterdave173]

N133 might be your answer
It is very clean , anti coppering agent, great velocity,and has been one of the most accurate in 223 for me
I have been able to achieve 1/2 MOA groups with 53 Vmax and 40 Vmax
I do find that in my Savage 26 in 9 twist that loads in the middle to middle lower portion of the range shoot the best groups
I have been able to get over 3700 FPS on a 40--limited by case capacity on GFL Fiocchi brass
My best groups with the 53 have been around 3150 FPS though I have been able to get much more speed with OK groups
I have been loading 223 for about 6 months no--I have tried a Lot of powders and bullets
I loved Varget with the 69 Sierra but can't get it so who cares--8208XBR just never did have good speeds in comparison to N133 335 was good but temp sensitive, Varmint ugh not so much..
Tac--fast but has never shown me accuracy like N133--not even close
I would say if you try it you will find what you are looking for

My barrel looks great and cleans easy as pie after 150 shot day at the range I love N133

 

[RegionRat]

You will be hard pressed to match CFE223 in terms of metering powder charges in a progressive for bulk loading PD ammo. Right now, it takes luck and timing on the keyboards to score powder of any sort.

As a strategy, you are as likely to score CFE223 as you are the alternatives, so I would keep that in mind as a fall back position.

There are so many powders that do well in the 223 in those weight ranges that you will just have to try and see what you can find.

As a suggestion, ARComp is very good for AR 223 ammo that might get hot in the sun or run in the cold, but don't expect it to meter as well as CFE223 and it is probably harder to locate.

 

[Damon555]

If you are looking for something that is actually available take a look at H335. Loaded at the upper end it burns pretty clean in my rifles. I've never had a temp sensitivity problem either. But I will say most of my load development is done when temps are usually 80+ degrees....

Edit: Woops forgot the AR part.....maybe not the best choice but it will work and is available. I do use it in my Ar's too. But mostly in .223 AI and 6mmAR

 

[Gary in MD]

AR Comp has been working well for me in my AR shooting the Sierra 55 grain spbt.

 

[JB10]

W748?
I use it in a few bolt guns. I Have other powders i use for the AR.

 

[lb-ft]

AA 2015
H322
Might look at those two.

However as others have noted, N133 is superb and CFE has a lot going for it too.

In fact, CFE loaded to 3300 FPS with 53 VMAX is my accuracy load in 1:9 factory 26” 223.

 

[Big_Daddy]

AA2230 has been working for me for years.

 

[Gabe22BR]

IMR 8208 bout clean as it gets..
I’m using 26.5 gr for the 50gr Vmax

 

[BobbyJ]

Also what online retailers are good for powders.

Midway - Prices a little high most the time
Sportsman guide
Mid South Shooters
Powder Valley

Mid South seems to have better prices.

Any others?

 

[BobbyJ]

N133 might be your answer
It is very clean , anti coppering agent, great velocity,and has been one of the most accurate in 223 for me
I have been able to achieve 1/2 MOA groups with 53 Vmax and 40 Vmax
I do find that in my Savage 26 in 9 twist that loads in the middle to middle lower portion of the range shoot the best groups
I have been able to get over 3700 FPS on a 40--limited by case capacity on GFL Fiocchi brass
My best groups with the 53 have been around 3150 FPS though I have been able to get much more speed with OK groups
I have been loading 223 for about 6 months no--I have tried a Lot of powders and bullets
I loved Varget with the 69 Sierra but can't get it so who cares--8208XBR just never did have good speeds in comparison to N133 335 was good but temp sensitive, Varmint ugh not so much..
Tac--fast but has never shown me accuracy like N133--not even close
I would say if you try it you will find what you are looking for

My barrel looks great and cleans easy as pie after 150 shot day at the range I love N133

I ran the N 133 and N 135 in quickload. Looks like N135 is best for 50gr and up in terms of velocity.
53 gr Vmax
N133 - 24.2gr (Compressed) 3297fps 58,424 psi
N135 - 26gr (compressed) 3378fps at 58,000 psi
Almost 100 fps slower for n133 for 53 gr yet higher pressure.

40gr Vmax 115 Percent fill
N133 26 gr 3632 fps 54k psi
N135 26gr 3419 fps 40k psi.
For the 40gr can't get enough in the case to get n135 going.

Not sure if this plays out in real world but quickload shows N135 for 50gr and up

 

[Dgd6mm]

Graf's is good at times to get powder from. At least they have been in the past for me.

 

[Bocephus]

I ran the N 133 and N 135 in quickload. Looks like N135 is best for 50gr and up in terms of velocity.
53 gr Vmax
N133 - 24.2gr (Compressed) 3297fps 58,424 psi
N135 - 26gr (compressed) 3378fps at 58,000 psi
Almost 100 fps slower for n133 for 53 gr yet higher pressure.

40gr Vmax 115 Percent fill
N133 26 gr 3632 fps 54k psi
N135 26gr 3419 fps 40k psi.
For the 40gr can't get enough in the case to get n135 going.

Not sure if this plays out in real world but quickload shows N135 for 50gr and up

You might consider N130 also. It IS a bit faster than you want, but the SD/ES numbers usually make it appealing in my guns.
With 40gr it is a whip!

 

[Timon]

I’ve been loading .223’s for about ten years now. I started out with H335 when I was shooting 55’s. I then found that 52’s were shooting a lot better out of my rifle, so I switched to them. Since changing to them about 8 or so years ago I have been using Benchmark. It meters very well and is not susceptible to issues with temperature swings. Shoots fine in the summer and the winter. Benchmark can be a little hard to find right now, but I have seen a good bit of H335 out there.

 

[Just Say Moe]

I have been shooting Xterminator with 50grain bullets for about 15 years now in bolt actions. Available at a good price at Midsouth.

 

[Mark W]

I’ve had really good luck with 8208 XBR and 50ish grain bullets.

 

[SSL]

AA 2015
H322

In fact, CFE loaded to 3300 FPS with 53 VMAX is my accuracy load in 1:9 factory 26” 223.

I agree completely with those choices, but would add AA2200. Either CFE223 (3,365 fps) or AA2200 (3,335 fps) shoot identical groups with 53-grain VMax from my 22" 1-8 twist Ruger. 2200 might be a little 'sootier' but cleans easily.

 

[BobbyJ]

You might consider N130 also. It IS a bit faster than you want, but the SD/ES numbers usually make it appealing in my guns.
With 40gr it is a whip!

yes many things to consider appreciate your insight. I don't have enough experience with 223 powders to know those little details.
We want it all
- Top velocity
- Low Pressure
- Good SD
- Easy to meter
- Clean burning
- Anti copper
- Precision

 

[BobbyJ]

I’ve been loading .223’s for about ten years now. I started out with H335 when I was shooting 55’s. I then found that 52’s were shooting a lot better out of my rifle, so I switched to them. Since changing to them about 8 or so years ago I have been using Benchmark. It meters very well and is not susceptible to issues with temperature swings. Shoots fine in the summer and the winter. Benchmark can be a little hard to find right now, but I have seen a good bit of H335 out there.

Yes heard good things about Benchmark. Cost more but use less.
But I read this on the forum
"Benchmark is super accurate, but about 100-150 fps less than N-133, at least in my two rifles."

Not sure what bullet weight. It looks very similar to n-133 on Quickload with 40gr. The faster powders seem to start loosing velocity past 50gr bullets. Looks like you need two different powders to keep top velocity 50+ and under 50 gr

 

[Cemetery21]

but would add AA2200

Very fast powder in the range of H322, burns clean - even AR brass is cleaner, meters like water, seems to be available about all the time at Powder Valley.
I don't know how temp stable it is. I've been shooting it and X-Terminator in 223, 223AI, and 20P ever since they came on the market - PD bolt guns and ARs with light bullets.