Non stick powders

[Wolfdog91]

So I e only been reloading for like six years and I've only gotten less haphazard and more deliberate with my loading int he last two or so years but I'm curious about something. See I've never had good success with anything other then sick powders. And when I say success I mean rifle @100yd 1" groups or less. Well actually I do think my H&R ultra varmit in .223 likes a load with TAC pretty good but other then that that's the only non stick powder I can say I've had success with. Is this just because I haven't tried enough powders or are stick powders just better ?

 

[Plumsask]

I think now days stick powders are just very common. My most accurate load in my 2 223's is with H335 and Benchmark. H335 B
being best with the 40 gainers and Benchmark with the 53-55 gr.

That's only my experience, perhaps some other members with alot more experience than myself will be able to shed some light.

 

[boltfluter]

I believe many people use stick powder these days due to their stability in temp extremes. I also use H335 in my Tikka .223 and it's amazing how accurate it is. So ball powders can shoot great, just more sensitive to temp extremes. Luckily we have both powders these days.

Paul

 

[Zero333]

I find win-748 ball powder to be very accurate. But you have to use a hotter primer, otherwise your not gonna get the best possible accuracy. I tried S&B primers instead of cci450 I usually use, and the groups got 3x bigger !

 

[Bronsin]

I've had the same results. Any suitable stick powder seems to work, it's just a question of how fast and ho accurate it is. Ball powders are all over the map for me. I primarily am looking for accuracy, and the only 2 that showed any promise at all were H335 and BL-C2. Just my opinion, but I feel a lot of it has to do with case fill volume and ignition consistency. I get better results even with stick powders when I'm near to or at a full case, and the ball powders weren't very near that other than the 2 that had better results. Unless they were capable of better accuracy, I didn't feel that the velocity bump was worth it.

 

[Sandstorm]

Ramshot Tac works extremely well for me with 6.5 Grendel and .223..and
not too shabby with 308 either.

 

[johnfred1965]

I agree with the others posters, W748 has been my goto powder in my AR for years, and H335 in a bolt gun gives excellent accuracy. Also I think Tac worked best when I went up to the 69 gr SMK. For overall ultimate accurcy, stick powders may have an edge, but ball powders are no slouched either.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I find win-748 ball powder to be very accurate. But you have to use a hotter primer, otherwise your not gonna get the best possible accuracy. I tried S&B primers instead of cci450 I usually use, and the groups got 3x bigger !

I really like W748
55-69 grain bullets
Cci#450’s
Flows like butter in a powder measure

Not shooting past 500 yards with these so temp effects really don’t matter much.

 

[204 AR]

I've had great results with H335, 748, A2230, Lever, and probably some others, in appropriate applications.

I've had lousy results with 760, Super, probably others but I can't remember.

I generally use stick powders for hunting loads, but like the others for higher volume stuff due to the ease of use, and lack of hard carbon fouling, and price. I've also read that most stick powders burn hotter, causing more erosion.

 

[Murray Brook]

I use more stick powders than ball, but all the same I have got great results with ball powders in certain cartridges. For example my 7/08 loves WW 760 and H-380 with 140-150 gr bullets. Had a 22/250 that just loved H-380. My 6mm br Norma shoots great with AR-Comp. My 270 Weatherby loves the old H-450 with 130-150 gr bullets. I believe as @Zero333 posted a hot (mag) primer is well suited to ball powders.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have some good loads with Blc2,W760(H414), H380, Stabal 6.5. From 17 rem to 338wm. Custom barrels of course seem more versatile with all component combinations.

 

[redrockranger]

Extruded powders ? What the pros shoot ?Possibly the reason. It wins.

 

[bozo699]

Extruded powders ? What the pros shoot ?Possibly the reason. It wins.

I’m a extruded fan and shoot very little ball powders anymore but there’s been a lot of matches won with 335 and other ball powders.
Wayne

I use more stick powders than ball, but all the same I have got great results with ball powders in certain cartridges. For example my 7/08 loves WW 760 and H-380 with 140-150 gr bullets. Had a 22/250 that just loved H-380. My 6mm br Norma shoots great with AR-Comp. My 270 Weatherby loves the old H-450 with 130-150 gr bullets. I believe as @Zero333 posted a hot (mag) primer is well suited to ball powders.

I guess not many read loading manuals anymore but back in the day most data was published with a note or a asterisk on ball powder loads to use a magnum primer!……
Wayne

 

[Webster]

So I e only been reloading for like six years and I've only gotten less haphazard and more deliberate with my loading int he last two or so years but I'm curious about something. See I've never had good success with anything other then sick powders. And when I say success I mean rifle @100yd 1" groups or less. Well actually I do think my H&R ultra varmit in .223 likes a load with TAC pretty good but other then that that's the only non stick powder I can say I've had success with. Is this just because I haven't tried enough powders or are stick powders just better ?

Check out the load maps on https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/
H4895 looks good if you can find it.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I've shot a lot of ball powders in .223's but I have a love affair with IMR3031 with a 53vmax In my .223's. For serious target work H4895 in my midrange .223 ftr rifle.

 

[joshb]

I believe many people use stick powder these days due to their stability in temp extremes. I also use H335 in my Tikka .223 and it's amazing how accurate it is. So ball powders can shoot great, just more sensitive to temp extremes. Luckily we have both powders these days.

Paul

I’m with you. I buy H335 by the 8 pounders for my 223s. I like Bl-c2 also. Loaded thousands of rounds with it, years ago. I have tried 748 and found it worked well too.
Where ball powders excel is when I want to load large quantities of AR blasting ammo. Pick an accurate mild load, dial in your thrower and you can load hundreds in a sitting.

 

[STS]

I've been asked by Hodgdons to test out a new non stick powder they are going to be releasing in the near future. I believe they are going to call it "Teflon". Projected retail price is $599 for 8 pounds.