Handloaders question?

[JOHN_T]

I just recently purchased a cz varmint that i will be handloading for, but i also load for several other rifles, do any of you know a good powder that will be conducive to 223 rem, 308 win, 22-250 rem ?? i know a few like IMR 3031 IMR 4895 and H335. I want to be able to buy a 5 lb keg or 8 lb keg, i will be shooting 55 gr nosler ballistic tips. OH AND I AM NEW THIS IS MY FIRST POST... SO BE GENTLE IF IM IN THE WRONG SPOT !!!

 

[mshootnit]

I'd check also into Varget. Maybe RL15 or RL 17 I'd check also into H4350 these are off the top of my head might be some other good ones too. BLC2 is good for 223 as is IMR3031 which I like alot. Accurate but hard to meter.

 

[sappyg]

I use Winchester 748 for both 223s and 308. I haven't tried it in a 22-250 but my Hornady manual shows it to be a good performer for it as well.

 

[JOHN_T]

I like the thought of ball powders bc they do meter well, however i have had the best luck with IMR over the yrs. BLC2 seems to be a good choice i just dont know much about it. RL 15 and 17 have been in the back of my mind. the only thing is i want to keep my velocity up in the 223 for the leupold ar scope... it needs to be around 3150FPS for the tac knobs to work. THANKS FOR UR HELP

 

[wanderinwalker]

I don't know about the .22-250 (I suspect it will want a slower powder than works well for the .308 and .223), but for 55gr .223 and 150-168gr .308 I'd be sorely tempted to try RL-15 or Varget. My experience with Varget in 55gr .223 loads was less than satisfactory. It works, but really fills the case and doesn't get you up to the velocity you're after. Reloder 15 might buy you a few more FPS with the lighter bullets in .223. Either should be right at home in standard .308 loadings though. I will say I find RL-15 and Varget really shine with 69-80gr .223 loads, and probably 80-85% of the Highpower shooters you will find use one of these powders.

(I have an 8-lb keg of Varget I plan on using for this upcoming match season, but I also have a pound of RL-15 I will burn up on short-range practice. 24.5-25 grains of either powder will toss a 69gr bullet to around 2800-fps from a 20" AR and shoot like a house-afire.)

 

[sappyg]

BLC2 seems to be a good choice i just dont know much about it.

I tried BLC2 in a short barreled 308. It shot a 2 ft. flame out the front and kinda had a KaWhump sound. I think it would have been fine in a longer barrel.

 

[chris in va]

You really need to get a reloading manual and see for yourself.

 

[patsygarret]

depends on what bullet weights you shoot. for my 55-60 grain 223 i use benchmark and have also used benchmark for my 308 155 grain bullets, i also use varget for both but the only good results i have w 223 and varget are for the 69 bthp and heavier. i know how nice id be to only buy one powder. you might try the hogdgon load data website it you can thumb trough alot and get an idea of what might work for you. id post a link but i dont know how.

 

[Hardtarget]

One thing you can do is check those calibers in several different reloading books. If you see the same powder listed for the different calibers...that might be good to consider. They test LOTS of powders and loads...they've done most of the work so use their efforts to your advantage.

All I'm saying is don't waste time and money trying to reinvent the wheel!

Mark

 

[Float Pilot]

H-380, Varget and Benchmark will do all three.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Varget would be my choice.

 

[shootr]

Was thinking Varget too.

 

[Still Shooting]

You might also want to look at the numbers for IMR4831. No question that IMR3031 would be a good all-around choice. Every gun and caliber has its own "likes," so I keep a few pounds around in several powders - I have yet to buy big containers.

Another consideration might be single base (IMR) powders vs. double base (like ball from Hodgdon). My .257 bob loves H380 and BLC2, but supposedly with hot loads the double base powders are prone to cause more rapid throat erosion.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Reloader15 will be the best for all three cartridges. You won't be able to get enough Varget in the cases with the .223 to get the velocities listed by Hodgdon. (At least I haven't with three different lot#'s of Varget). I also haven't seen the accuracy others have claimed. It's still BLC2 or IMR4064 for tops in accuracy in the .308 for me. Ditto the .30/06 with 150gr bullets.

I've gotten outstanding accuracy and velocity with RL15 in the .22-250, and RL15 is superb in the .223 with bullets 55gr and heavier. In the .308, RL15 is simply the best powder i've found. Not suprising as RL15 was developed for the .308 aka 7.62x51.

But, if I had to list the best powder for "most anything centerfire" it would still have to be H4895. It's good in the .223, excellent in the .22-250, and hard to beat in the .308 and .30/06. But then, there is RL15, too.... and to me, its just a bit "more-better"........
The "4831's" are way too slow burning for this class of cartridges.....

 

[db_tanker]

in 223 and 308 I have always had very good luck with AA2520...data also shows quite a bit of good loads for the 22-250...

 

[Picher]

My favorite powder for .22-250 and a few other cartridges, especially for target/mid varmint loadings has been IMR 4895. With Sierra semi-pointed 55 grain bullets, my rifle would shoot half-inch or better groups at 100 yards.

I've never used Varget or 3031, but knew a benchrester who always used 3031 in his .308 Win match rifle.

 

[longdayjake]

For those choices I think that TAC is probably a good powder. However, TAC usually does a little better with heavier bullets in the .223. I know there are a lot of guys that are in love with varget but it is dirty, slow, and extruded grain. The only upside I have found to varget is the fact that it is temperature insensitive. If you are using a powder measure the extruded grain stuff is a pain. Being a dirty powder really doesn't matter much, but some guys don't like that. It is a slow powder for getting the highest velocities from .223. I haven't tried it in .22-250 but my guess is that the powder you use in it will have to be faster if you want to get a complete burn. Despite all this, varget will work and it will probably work really well.

 

[APIT50]

+1 for TAC

 

[jmorris]

Winchester 748 or Ramshot TAC

 

[JOHN_T]

"You really need to get a reloading manual and see for yourself."

AS to this i have been reloading for about 16yrs i have several reloading manuals, I was looking for experience not book knowledge... im just 27 yrs old and started the process when I got my first deer rifle, of course it was nothing more than helping at first: MY DAD AND UNCLE. i have never worked on the 223 rem and i thought i would ask some questions... AS FOR THE POWDER I THINK RL 15 will be my choice !!!!

 

[snakeman]

varget

 

[TonyAngel]

I don't have a .22-250, but I do load for .223 and .308. I think that Reloader 15 is a little too slow for 55gr bullets, although the Varget would work very well for 55gr bullets on up and I've used Varget to load 155, 168 and 175gr .308 with good success. My preferred powder for heavier .223 and all of my .308 is reloader 15. Now, since I shoot a lot of 55gr in .223, I use Ramshot X-terminator and Tac for the 55gr stuff. For 69gr .223 and all of my .308, I use Reloader 15.

 

[JOHN_T]

everybody seems to like the 69 gr bullet for 223.... with that said, what kinda velocity are we talking and how is the effective range on a coyote with that load... this is more than likely a hunting rd more so than anything else..