[John Galt]

I've never reloaded for rifle & just got a bolt action with 26" 1:14 barrel. (Ruger M77 MK2 Varmint)

40-50grn bullets. Target & varmint.

I plan to shoot the new Win 45grn bulk varmint ammo and save all the brass and start reloading this summer with a quality hand press.

I'll spend time experimenting with different bullets and velocities, etc, but don't want to try multiple powders. I'd rather just use what others think would be my best choice.

-What would be the best powder to use?
-Why?


Thanks so much in advance.

* I'm thinking of Varget....

[larryw]

Three suggestions:

IMR 4198
VV N133
H 322

All three work great in my 223 bolt (700VS) with light bullets and long barrels. I got the best results from the 4198, but it doesn't meter well in my progressive's powder measure.

N133 is what I use for all my 223 now because its so clean and consistant.

322 also worked very well, just not quite as well as the others.

[Bacchus]

You may also want to try Win 748.

[Swamp Yankee]

For .223 with bullets below 55 grains I seem to have the best luck with WW748, plus it meters beautifully.
Other powders I have used for .223 with excellent results include Varget, (particularly with 60-69grain bullets), and Reloder 15.
Take Care

[Nero Steptoe]

Try some H335. I've had great groups (in the 2's) with my VS and H335 powder.

[EJ]

With Vit N130 -- __Max load -- Works in my Mdl 70 HB Varminter WW- Obviously you should work up to it--
I get 4020 fps--

For heavier bullets, I too have had good results with Reloader 15

[Freedom in theSkies]

I like the IMR 4198, at 19.0gr under a 55gr. FMJBT (Target shootin') or 55gr. Nosler BT (Varminting).
CCI sm rifle primer.

I was using full length sized brass and still managed a .75" 3 rd. group at 200 yds. -Rifle: Ruger KM77MK.II VT w/ Tasco SS 16x42 scope, and Harris bipod.

I load w748, H335, H322, H4198, and IMR4895 as well for .223

They all work great, but the top load was the IMR4198. -It does not cycle my AR15 at -30 though.:o

[clown714]

i've had good luck w\ AA2230

clown

[Cherokee]

I have accurate loads using H335 and AA2230. Other powders work, like 4198, 3031, 748 but the two above are best for 45-55 gr bullets. For heavy 69 Sierra I use H380, gives .5" groups @ 100 yd. If I had to pick one: H335.

[blowsomethingup]

check out gibrass for some surplus powders,they work great and the cheap pricing lets you shoot alot of rounds.I prefer ball type,it meters very well.

[cheygriz]

All of my .223s like H335.

[P95Carry]

Started my .223 reloads with Vit N-133 .. and used it ever since. Always had good metering, and good results .... usual load now is 24.8 grns behind a 55 grainer bullet.

[badgerrr]

Both H335 & IMR 4198 are good, economical choices. :)

[P95Carry]

Hey Badg!!! See ya joined up eh! Good place and lots of good info I think you'll agree.

Oh BTW ....... it's the ole fart here ..... think ya know who that is, yeah?! :)

[Dave R]

Anybody got a good load for 45 gr. Sierra's, using 4198 powder?

I'm new to reloading. The only powder I have is 4198, and a buddy just gave me some Sierra 45gr bullets.

[Clark]

I have these powders:
XMP5744
RL-7
V-133
RL-10
H335
RL-12
IMR4895
RL-15
Varget
H414 = W760
IMR4350
H4831SC = ~ AA3100


But out of all those powders, I only use IMR4895.

[Cherokee]

Although I prefer H335, I did have a good load of 23.0 gr 4198 with Speer 45 gr SP. Start lower and work up to where it shoots good for you. Loading Manuals should have some data on 4198 so do look it up there.

[sensop]

Another vote for W748 or H335.

[atek3]

a lot of the pro's over at nationalmatch.us like WW748 for light bullets and varget for heavier stuff. I shoot only 69 gr and up so i use varget exclusively

atek3

[Cherokee]

I tried Varget when I was working up my 69 gr load and did not get as good results with my AR-15 variant as I did with the H380. Every gun is different.

[Dogsoldier]

I like Reloader 15, Accurate 2520 and H322.

[John Galt]

Well.... So much for that idea.
I guess I'll just have to somewhat randomly choose 3 different powders and develop a load for each and see what is most accurate. Repeat for each of 2 or 3 bullets.

Many posters here are shooting AR rifles with short barrels and are shooting 69gr bullets. The short barrel needs a fast powder and the heavy bullet that won't shoot in my gun needs a slow powder.

I've talked to several people and read a lot more and guess I'll just have to experiment more than I wanted to.

Thanks much everyone.

[Cherokee]

The add to my earlier posts, for my old 180 series Mini-14, I use H335 with 45-55 gr bullets. Twist precludes the use of the heavier bullets. With fast twist in AR15, I use H335 for 55 gr bullets, H380 for the 69 gr Sierra. But your conclusion is good, try several powders & bullets because each gun is different. Have fun.

[Ninj500]

Has anyone tried XMR-2015? I've just started reloading .45 ACP, but .223 is next on my list. Looking at the raw data it looks like a pretty good powder for the 223.

Forgot to mention the bullet would be 40-55 grain Hornady V-Max.

[caz223]

When I shot .223 a lot, I think I was using H4198 and 45 grain speers 1023, the hornet bullets, thin jackets.
I'd guess around 21 grains.
I'm not sure, so I'd have to look it up.
Keyholed at 100 yards, every time.
Sweet bullets, made for 1:14 twist. (Don't shoot 'em in savages or hi-twist poodle shooters.) My remington 700 likes them a lot.
Originally made for .22 hornet, the bullet in question is awesome in varmint applications in .223 !
I don't go crazy with velocities in .223, if you need faster, get a 220 swift. Accuracy is where it's at.
If you don't have a neck sizer, get one, they are a little more accurate than FL sizing if you shoot them in the same gun twice.
Keep the chamber clean for best accuracy. I clean mine with flitz.(Dons flame proof suit.)

[BARRY]

Ramshot Xterminator meters very well and very uniform and accurate too.

[stevelyn]

I like Varget and H335.
H335 BTW is the mil-spec powder for the .223.

[Singleshotshorty]

John, I have the same rifle and simply love it. They follwing load is one that I get one hole groups @ a 100 yards with on the day's I do my part right.
bullet: 50 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip
powder: W748
load: 27.7 grains
primer: Federal 205 match
brass: Winchester
Hope that it shoots as good in your rifle as it does mine. :D :D

[Turk]

My favorite powders for the 223 are

Accurate 2230
Win. 748

I've found both of these to be equal but I usally go with Accurate do to its cost.

Turk

[Significent]

H335, 748, and IMR 4198 seem to be the top choices. My Speer manual list H335 and 748 as requiring CCI Magnum primers. I've got a couple hundred Winchester primers already. Should I just go with the IMR powder or have any of you had good success with H335 and/or 748 with regular primers?

Thanks for your input.

[Cherokee]

I use H335 and have never used a magnum rifle primer, nor have I ever used a mag primer in any 223 load.