Powders for 223 light bullets and slow twist

[Doom]

Any of the ball powders require at least two different loads because of the extremes of temperature swings of 20F in winter to 95+ F in the summer. Unfortunately IMR doesn’t have a great fit.

Right now 3031 looks like the likely candidate do to availability. If I can find any then I may try VV or LT-32.

 

[skeeljc]

I have a .223 Remington 700 with a Krieger 26" 1 in 12 with a Rem Varmint contour. H335 produces sub 3/4 MOA with 55 grain bullets. Benchmark with 50 grain bullets will shoot sub 1/2 MOA all day long. I like Nosler BT Ballistic Tipped Varmint and Nosler FB Varmageddon bullets.

 

[rmr]

these days, TAC is my go-to. N133/4198 are also very good.

I actually like 4198 the best, except that it doesn't meter as well as Tac.

I won't buy any more 3031 mainly because its the only powder i've ever had to destroy due to degeneration. I've stored 4064/4895 etc in identical conditions to 3031, and it doesn't age well compared to everything else. Keep in mind that I have some OLD powder, and this sort of thing doesn't happen overnight. Tac/4198/N133 shoot so well that there isn't a reason to buy 3031

 

[Plumsask]

25.2 grains of benchmark with a 53gr or 55gr nosler varmageddon- savage 10 action, shilen 1:12 26". Very accurate with many different powder charges

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

Lots of great advice. There are several great powders for 223 Rem even if your barrel has a slow twist.
Like the OP, I share the need for temperature "IN"sensitivity.
Both Benchmark and 8208XBR are very temp stable and overlap well with bullet weights in 223 REM.

@Coyotefurharvester mentioned the magic 223 Rem bullet, the 53 gr Vmax. It has high BC for a light bullet and will group well to 300 yards and beyond when pushed by Benchmark.

I use Benchmark from 40 to 60gr in 223 Rem.
60gr is where Benchmark and 8208XBR overlap for me. Either works.
Nosler lists Benchmark as the most accurate powder tested for their 40gr ballistic tip though it can be a compressed load depending on your brass. I use a long drop tube and some case tapping if necessary.

 

[skeeljc]

My best load in my 26" Krieger 1 in 12 is 26 grains of Benchmark behind a 50 grain Nosler BT Ballistic Tip. It will do sub 1/2 MOA five shot groups.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

these days, TAC is my go-to. N133/4198 are also very good.

I actually like 4198 the best, except that it doesn't meter as well as Tac.

I won't buy any more 3031 mainly because its the only powder i've ever had to destroy due to degeneration. I've stored 4064/4895 etc in identical conditions to 3031, and it doesn't age well compared to everything else. Keep in mind that I have some OLD powder, and this sort of thing doesn't happen overnight. Tac/4198/N133 shoot so well that there isn't a reason to buy 3031

rmr, is the TAC powder you’re refer to Ramshot Tac? Thanks.

 

[rmr]

rmr, is the TAC powder you’re refer to Ramshot Tac? Thanks.

Correct. Ramshot Tac. I use it for almost everything in 223/556.. but 90% of my loading is with the 73g Berger.

223 and 308 are sooooo flexable. many powders work well. when we get into these primer / powder panics, one thing i don't worry about is propellants. you can feed 223 just about anything (within reason) and get acceptable results.

 

[swadiver]

LT-32, AR-COMP, N133, 52 to 55 gr bullets, 12 to 14 twist

 

[Gappmast]

8208XBR and 55 grain Bergers work great for me

 

[dolek]

I like IMR 4064 with 52 grain Bergers , very accurate in my 14 twist Shilen .

 

[DGP4]

I have the same rifle as you and after quite a bit of testing, my go to load is 52 grain SMKs over 22.5 grains of Ram TAC. Like you, I cannot get consistent performance out of H335 even though I like it for my faster twist hunting .223 with heavier bullets.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

8208, 322, n133, lt32, etc.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

28.0 of Win 748 and a 50 gr. 27.0 of H335 and a Moly 50 gr. Moly will take care of the temp sensitivity. Works in Colorado in 90-100 temps. 1-12 twists