Which powder for .223 rem plinking?

If you can ever find it in stock anywhere WC844 or WC846, I have or had 16 pounds of each and used both successfully in .223. One does better with heavier bullets other with lighter but forget which is which and not at home so I cannot check.

Here is a good thread talking about them: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=608551

AA-2460 shoots well with all 4 of my bolt .223s.

BLC2 was my primary for 223. Now with it so hard to get I'm using what I can find.

As others have noted, bullet weight is a pretty key factor. I like AA2230 for light-bullet loads. Since lighter bullets are generally cheaper, and since AA2230 meters well, that's what most of my plinking/casual/close rounds get.

Originally Posted by jediagh View Post
Now where to find 55gr FMJ bullets.

Just got an email this morning. Widener's has 55's in stock 49ish per 500

Also, Midway USA has 55gr Dogtown's on sale right now for $58/500.

As Juk said:

I'm playing with CFE 223 currently. I notice that it is a dirty propellant when low charge weights are used. Also, It seems to take a few more grains to attain similar results from a different powder. For 55FMJ AR plinking fodder I use 25 grains of Varget or H335, which is around the middle of those weight ranges. CFE 223 starts at 26 grains and max is listed at 28.5. I am willing to bet that it burns awful dirty until you hit 27.5 grains or so. I have noticed that the hotter you load this stuff, the better and cleaner it burns.

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CFE223 is definately worth trying if you can get it.

I'm about to break the seal on my third pound of CFE223. I've found it to be pretty dirty as well. It works well, so I'm willing to put up with the extra cleaning effort. I've been loadig it at 27.4 grains with 55g fmj. I tested 27.6 and 27.8, but my groups got worse so I didn't go any higher. Hmmm.... maybe I'll try it at 28 just to see if it burns any cleaner.

H335 for 55 grain plinkers has been my go to.

If, you are inquiring about plinking with a bolt rifle, I use 20.5gr/IMR4198 and Sierra 52gr. Matchkings (#1410). This has been a very accurate load in 3 different rifles with 3 different twists rates - 1/9, 1/10 and 1/12. I have come to the conclusion that if your rifle doesn't shoot well with this load...there is something wrong with your rifle. I like IMR4198 not only for its accuracy but relatively small charge weights, good velocity and reasonable pressures.

I've used W748, H335, WC844 and H322 for 55g .223 Rem reloading, among others. Those all meter pretty well.

CFE 223 has been dirty for me too, but I still like it. BLC-2 is pretty similar and my favorite

kutter said:

If you can ever find it in stock anywhere WC844 or WC846, I have or had 16 pounds of each and used both successfully in .223. One does better with heavier bullets other with lighter but forget which is which and not at home so I cannot check.

Here is a good thread talking about them: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=608551

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WC844 is my go To Powder... But dont think we will be seeing it again..

was great getting 8lb for $89..... I still have about 20lbs left of It......

But for Now I got some H335, they say its the same as WC844, and it is close... so will suffice for now

I have always used and had good luck with H335 for 50-55 grain bullets

My go to powder is whatever I can find that works .

So far I have used:

H4198
IMR 3031
H4985
IMR 4895
AA 2495
BLC-2

BLC-2 is my favorite I guess, but I have found several hen's teeth since I've seen it at the store around here.

I found loads of each that worked well for me with 55gr FMJBT. Some certainly meter better than others, but beggars cant be choosers. I use what I can find and enjoy working up the loads with different powders. With the current powder supply situation, I find it is helpful to be somewhat flexible.

Unfortunately I have no WC844 or WC846 left. I was about to make a big order when the "shortage" hit and then there was none! I do have about 8lbs of H335 which will last me a while. I was lucky a few months back to get the 8lbs, some brass and bullets too when an old timer was liquidating his supplies because he was no longer loading.

I got 8X 1lb jugs for $20 each, not a home run but not bad during this shortage.

Check out Xtreme bullets for 55 gr FMJ. $50/500 delivered. Less if Military, LEO.

I seem to have good luck with IMR 3031. It was good enough for the military to use in the M193 ammo with 55 grain bullets, and that's all I ever use are the 55 grainers. It's a course stick powder that's more accurate to weigh by hand but it's clean, fast, and won't cause a lot of muzzle upset with the 55 grain pills. Published ballistics data seems to be a little conservative with this powder; I don't seem to get a good seal on a Nosler boat tail with anything less than 25 grains.

I just loaded up some rounds with Varget for the first time and shot them today. For being a chopped extruded powder, it actually went through my RCBS Uniflow much better than I thought it would given some of the posts about it online.

All loads used Dogtown 55gr FBHP bullets and a COL of 2.250". 25gr of powder fires very well and accurate. I had no cycling issues with my mid-length gas system on my 16" barrel. And 26.5gr (which was a lightly compressed load) seemed to be just a hair more accurate, but not a big difference. Either way, I'm very happy with Varget powder for 55gr .223 loads.

SuedePflow said:

I just loaded up some rounds with Varget for the first time and shot them today. For being a chopped extruded powder, it actually went through my RCBS Uniflow much better than I thought it would given some of the posts about it online.

All loads used Dogtown 55gr FBHP bullets and a COL of 2.250". 25gr of powder fires very well and accurate. I had no cycling issues with my mid-length gas system on my 16" barrel. And 26.5gr (which was a lightly compressed load) seemed to be just a hair more accurate, but not a big difference. Either way, I'm very happy with Varget powder for 55gr .223 loads.

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I load a 55gr Sierra GameKing (Part #1390) for my bolt action .223 rifle with a charge of 25.0gr Varget. that load delivers sub 1/2MOA accuracy. A charge of 26.0gr generates more velocity but no more accuracy although it's no less accurate either. I don't care for Varget in AR blasting ammo but of course it can be used.

55 FMJBTs

Just got a shipment of 55gr FMJBTs from Midsouth today; they are available in 250 bullet bulkpacks. As Armymutt says, Xtreme has 55gr FMJs available, too.

For powders, I prefer BLC2 or W748. Both meter very well. I use magnum primers for either powder.

For short range plinking ammo, the faster burning powders will offer you much better value.
AA1680, IMR4198, H4198, and RL7 will function an AR with as little as 18.5gr-21.5gr of powder with a 55gr FMJ. This will give you 20-30% more rounds per pound of powder. Velocitys are significantly lower than slower burning powders, but at 50-75yds will be undiscernable as long as they produce enough gas to cycle the action.

I've even got a load using a cast bullet (50gr gascheck) that will function the AR (18.9gr IMR4198). Accuracy isn't so great, but it will hit a 2lb coffee can at 50yds. When bullets and powder became scarce, I found a shop that had some 20+yr old H4198 and laid in a handsome supply at ~$10lb. Also found ~100lbs of linotype metal. Makes a decent shooting combination. My Remington Mod-7 with same bullet and 7.5gr of Unique or 12gr of #2400 exceeds the velocity of a .22winmag and gives near moa at 100yds.

In my experience, FMJ bullets are far less accurate than soft point or hollow point bullets. I have had great results with Hornady 55 gr spire point bullets with the cannelure. I just took delivery of 1000 of them in bulk for $97 delivered from Graf's. They are still in stock and are even cheaper if you order 2000. They perform great on varmints up through coyotes.

Plinking Powder

I'm still loading most of my .223 Plinking ammunition with AA# 2230-S. So you could use AA# 2230.

BLC(2) works well for me with 55gr bullets. (on the slower side of powders for this weight in .223, #102 on my burn rate chart) Also seems to work well with heavier bullets.
I like H335 also. (#81 burn rate on my chart)
Both meter well.