What are recommended powders for 223?

[K9TXS]

Remington 700 Specialty Pistol
16" Barrel
1-7 twist
75-80 gr bullets
Max range approximately 400-500 yards

I haven't loaded for the .223 in at least 15 years, but will be starting again.
When I stopped reloading for this caliber, I got rid of everything. No notes, dies, etc...

So what powders should I be looking at?

 

[jr600yd]

Don’t think you could go wrong with either VarGet or R-15

 

[Walt Krafft]

Varget, 4895, 8208, re15, n140, n135, 2520, 748. Is that enough choices? They all have been used with great success.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Most reloading manuals have a section on Contender pistols with your barrel length.

With my "specialty" Chipmonk .22 pistol I just buy whatever ammo you can find on the shelf.

 

[NorCalMikie]

IMR 4895. Good stand by.
Went thru about 40 pounds (yep 40 pounds) of AA 2230C Data powder before it wasn't available anymore. At less than $75.00 for a 8 pound jug at the time, you couldn't go wrong.
Switched over to AA2230 and use it in just about everything (rifle) I shoot with GOOD results.
Like I've said many times, get a powder and work it till you can't get anymore out of it BEFORE you jump to another choice just because someone shot bug holes with it.
Most folks have a BUNCH of different powders on the shelf and never REALLY found their full potential of any of them.

 

[NC308]

I just goat a pound of cfe223 to try? Seems velocity is a pretty good with it. Also don’t over look imr4064!

 

[ormandj]

CFE223 is great if you’re not adverse to a little temperature sensitivity (half the powders mentioned so far are no different). No copper fouling is a big plus. People say it’s dirty but it’s just the anti fouling agent and it cleans easy. Just don’t load in winter to max pressure then shoot in summer.

 

[PopCharlie]

RE 15 and 748 for heavy bullets. N133 for light bullets. Gonna try n135 for 73 and 75 gr bergers next.

 

[PopCharlie]

Most reloading manuals have a section on Contender pistols with your barrel length. Loves me some chickmump guns.

With my "specialty" Chipmonk .22 pistol I just buy whatever ammo you can find on the shelf.

 

[MGYSGT]

Well, there's Varget and then of course, there's Varget.

 

[pdog2062]

Don’t forget benchmark one of my favorites

 

[Gary in MD]

AR Comp and TAC

 

[ebb]

Ed that pistol has the bolt on the wrong side!

 

[Uncle Ed]

Ed that pistol has the bolt on the wrong side!

I know, but when you are right handed only your left hand is free to work the bolt.

But if you buy a Ruger 10-22 Charger pistol it leaves your left hand free to pick your nose.

But I got the Chipmonk pistol so I wouldn't bugger up my fore stock.

 

[Mouse-Gunner]

I have been shooting 5.56 service rifle competition for about 32-35 years. My two favorite propellants for 69 gn HPBT are H332 and AA2015. I especially like 22.4 grains of 2015 behind a 69. It just plain shoots good. Easily under a MOA, although not the bug-hole groups that bench rest schoolers strive for. And it produces consistent groups at various temperatures and conditions. It is my standard 200 & 300 yard load. Long range requires different bullet and load.

I like to keep it simple. If my shots are not where I want them to be, it’s not the rifle or the ammunition’s fault. It is my fault, and I would rather spend time on improving my performance than on searching for the holy grail of 5.56 loads.

Respectfully submitted.

 

[Ned Ludd]

H4895 is a great powder for heavy bullets in .223 Rem. I've tested many different powders and nothing else performs in my hands like H4895.

 

[strut64]

THERE IS A SLIGHT ISSUE WITH h4895. IT WOULD BE MY FAVORITE OWDER IF i COULD FIND IT. HAVE NOT SEEN ANY FOR MONTHS!!!

 

[jelenko]

And, RL 15 and AA2460.

Sigh. So many powders and so little time.

 

[clunker]

I was asking the same question a while back, and I saw another recent thread with the same question again. All of the above are good suggestions. After a lot of research and a lucky find at the gun shop, I chose Varget. My second choice was H4895, but I have never seen it for sale. I also stumbled on a 24-hour period where Midway had CFE223 in stock and managed to grab some, but I probably won't use it for competition due to temp sensitivity. Hope this helps.

 

[std7mag]

I've been shooting Alliant PP2000MR.
It seems to do well with heavier bullets.