Powder for .223

[TroyMN]

I loaded a couple the other day to just go bang. 27.2 grains of varget with 50 SX hornady. I also tested 6 other factory rounds. It turns out the HK630 can shoot. I had a couple in the 1.4 range, but most were better, had 2 different loads shoot under .60 ( 4 shots) after the fouling round was out. So I would like to know a better powder than varget for 55 gr blitz king. The blitz king just had the highest BC that my 1-12" can shoot.
I have enough varget and primers, but no blitz kings. I will start with the full box of 55gr SX Hor.

 

[MNFinn]

BLC2 and CFE223 are 2 powders Ive loaded for a friend's 223 that worked well

 

[th82457]

Try H322, IMR8208XBR & Benchmark. All perform well in my 1:12 .223.

 

[K22]

Actually, I've had my best results with 55 grain bullets using Varget, groups sub 1/4 moa from my custom 223 with Douglas match barrel.

Other powders that work very well for me with 55 grain bullet are: H4895 and H335.

Bullets I've used are: Nosler BT's, Hornady Vmax's, and Sierra Blitz.

All rifles had a 12" twist.

 

[MrMajestic]

You can throw VihtaVuori N133 in the mix also.

 

[stacy]

I SECOND THAT................................

 

[searcher]

I load for 6 different .223's, all with 40 to 52 grain bullets and used for target shooting and varminting. Most are custom heavy-barreled A/R's and a couple of bolt guns. As one would guess, they typically all like a different load but the powders that seem to work best with this narrow bullet window of bullet weights AND in most of the guns are IMR8208XBR, Reloader 7, and I'm quickty becoming very impressed with LT-32. I shoot Varget, H322, H4198, Benchmark and a plethora of other powders in different guns - but in the .223's and thes bullet weights - these other powders just shine better in my guns. One thing for sure - you can burn out a barrel trying out all the different excellent .223 powders!

 

[Lapua40X]

I load my .223 varmint ammo, both for the field and for benchrest "varmint" target competition, with Hodgdon H335 or CFE223. Results are good enough that I haven't found any reason to try any others.

 

[TroyMN]

Wow thanks for the responses! Another thought to help narrow it down, what is the cleanest burning power? The HK630 is a semi-auto with the flutted chamber. The brass looks awful. Ridges and powder all over them. I will just FL resize and hope for the best to fix the ridges. Vibrator tumbling in walnut does not hardly touch the burn marks.

 

[abishai]

Tac is my fav for the wieght. One of the cleanest powders out there. 8208 is simply delightful for the 69 grainers.

 

[stinnett1981]

I like Benchmark for 53g Vmax and Varget for everything heavier.

 

[amlevin]

Every rifle is different but my rifle has done well with CFE223. I like it really well for three reasons.

1. Works well in my .223's both bolt action and AR's

2. Works well in my .308 with 168-178gr bullets.

3. I was able to buy 32# of it before the insanity hit 8)


Also, it's amazing how little copper you'll see in your barrel when using this. I don't really go after any copper until I've shot 200 rounds or so and even then it comes right out with a quick soak-n-wipe with Sweets.

Shot 50 rounds yesterday without cleaning at all during the session. First group and last group were the same, less than .200" from a factory barreled Remington SPS-Tactical using the 73 gr Bergers. Even had a .504" group at 300 yards. .164 MOA works OK for my kind of shooting and the CFE223 has shown me that it can hold it's own with the "unavailable" Varget.

 

[Phil3]

You can throw VihtaVuori N133 in the mix also.

I used this in my 223 AR-15 and I think starting loads may have been too light, causing some short stroking. Not sure. But, it WAS accurate (Krieger barrel), and I have read more than once from other AR users, that it is a cleaning burning powder. In the Sierra manual, N133 is listed twice as accuracy load for bolt action rifles (2 different bullet weights), and once for the AR-15. Vhitavouri in various powders, was listed quite a bit as the accuracy load. Hodgdon H335 was also listed frequently as an accuracy load.

Phil

 

[5spd]

W748 in my .223s since the late 70s is all I have ever used for 50-55g bullets. Super accurate, no reason to change & start over for me.
I have run varget/H335/ramshot Ex term/imr4320/blc2/v133/ & others with great results, but my w748 still holds the tops for my guns.

 

[280nosler]

Ball C2, CFE 223, Ramshot TAC, H335, and AA2230 are the best for loads between 50 and 60 grains. Some are better than others in Bolt guns and TAC, and CFE excel in autoloaders. CFE is also my preferred load in my 223 bolt gun currently.

 

[Pres100]

I use 22.7 gr AA230 with 77 gr nosler, hornady 75 gr bthp and Sierra 77. Mild load it shoots very well in 1:8 twist.
Also used AA2520, BLC2, varget, H4895,

 

[amlevin]

You can throw VihtaVuori N133 in the mix also.

I used this in my 223 AR-15 and I think starting loads may have been too light, causing some short stroking. Not sure. But, it WAS accurate (Krieger barrel), and I have read more than once from other AR users, that it is a cleaning burning powder. In the Sierra manual, N133 is listed twice as accuracy load for bolt action rifles (2 different bullet weights), and once for the AR-15. Vhitavouri in various powders, was listed quite a bit as the accuracy load. Hodgdon H335 was also listed frequently as an accuracy load.

Phil

Just put in a lighter buffer and enjoy.