Looking for powder suggestions

[NoahbodyImportant]

I am a new reloader. I plan to reload .223 75/80grain and .308 175gr SMK.

I am looking for a single powder that will work with both calibers. Right now, Im thinking Varget.

Is there a better alternative?

My Sierra reloading manual suggests for Accuracy Loads (both): Viht N540, but I have not researched it yet.

 

[brian427cobra]

Varget or RL15, Varget is very temp insensitive, but lot to lot consistency is not its strong point, so buy it in 8lb jugs, RL15 is a tad temp sensitive and is very consistent between lots.

 

[huffmanite]

Ramshot TAC is very good for the .223 and .308. Very fine spherical type powder and meters great. Should be lower priced than the Varget or RL15 by a couple of dollars.

 

[Scott Harris]

H4895, Varget, VV N140 have all worked well for me.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I use Varget and H4895 powders in my. 223's. Other powders to consider are N140, AR-COMP, 2000MR, RL15, TAC and NN540. Of these powders, the first two have given me very consistant results.

 

[KMart]

I have played a little with AR-Comp in both rifles. 223/75 gr and 308/168 and have found both fairly good accuracy and velocity in both.

 

[K22]

I've used Varget for years with 50 and 55 grain bullets in all my 223's. It shoots very consistent for me in all weather from winter to summer.

H335 is excellent also with 55 grain bullets but more temperature sensitive and not a clean as Varget.

I tried Benchmark but ran into pressure problems even a grain and half below maximum published in the manuals but other shooters have had great success with it.

No matter what I try, I keep coming back to Varget.

 

[xpilot]

Varget in .223 50,55,60 gr. ; 7BR 130 to 162 gr. ; 30-30 150 to 170gr.

Not temperature sensitive, good accuracy, no problems.

 

[Hombre0321]

As a "New Reloader" I believe you are making a HUGE mistake in your thinking.

While I can understand wanting just one powder to work with these two cases. This is a fundamental mistake. That would be you telling the rifle what it is going to get as it pretains to a load. I have been reloading and building loads for a lot more years than I care to admit. I learned very early that the most important information in building a good load is being able to listen to the Rifle.

It will tell you what powder to use after some testing, if that turns out to be the same powder in both rifles then you are way ahead of the game. I have more than a few rifles and some of them (Benchrest Rifles) are in the same cartridge. In some of these rifles I have to use different powders in the same chambering but in different rifles. One of these as an example a 6.5x47 Lapua, in a Custom Farley action shoots RL15 very well, another rifle in the same 6.5x47 Lapua cartridge but in a Stiller Action rifle will not even think about shooting RL15, in that rifle I shoot IMR4350.

Let the rifle tell you, trying to tell the rifle what it is going to get I have found seldom works.......

Good Luck
Roland

 

[25AI260]

Varget an W 748

 

[Leaddog]

Varget or RL15, Varget is very temp insensitive, but lot to lot consistency is not its strong point, so buy it in 8lb jugs, RL15 is a tad temp sensitive and is very consistent between lots.

I know a lot of folks talk about lot to lot variances with Varget, but I just don't see it. Anytime I get new powder I shoot it through my Oehler. The last three lots of Varget were within just a couple of fps of each other. Anyone have any current data to prove otherwise?

In your .223, a lot of service rifle shooters use RL-15. Check out White Oak for load info.

 

[edca]

I would have to agree with Roland. You can take two rifles, same make, same model and caliber and they will not shoot the same. You have to experiment with different powders, bullets, bullet weights and even primers if you are serious about accuracy. It`s all part of the fun in reloading.