Accurate powder for 50-55gn .223

I use Varget for 30-06, .308, 6.5x55, 7mm Mauser and 8mm Mauser. I really love that it is a single stable powder that works in standard cartridge cases very well. For .223 I use 2230 but that is mainly because I received 20#'s of 2230 years ago and have been trying to use it up. 2230 has always done a great job in .223 for me.

OBTW: I do not own a semi auto .223. I have a Rem 700 with a short heavy barrel as my only .223. I get excellent accuracy with my .223 loads on top of 2230 powder.

Sierra list 21.5 (2900 fps from 20" AR-15) grains of RE-7 for its accuracy load using 55 grain bullets.

In my AR it is AA2230
In my Rem 700s it is AA 2015 and BR primers.
One hole at 100. {Bolt guns}.

I'm using AA-2460 in my AR-15, its slightly slower than 2230 and is doing a nice job in my AR-15.

AA-2460 is available now and it took me about 2 seconds to snap up an 8 lb jug.

H-4895 and IMR-8208 would also be good choices, I have these on hand as well.

If you're loading in volume for an AR, a ball powder like AA2230 is nice because of how it meters. If you are chasing accuracy in a bolt gun you won't mind weighing out each charge and using a powder trickler.

For what it's worth, the powder I go to is Varget. My 223 loves it with 50 grain coated V-MAX bullets. It's quite literally a tack driver at 100 yards.

I use Varget for accuracy loads.

That said, I think there are probably a half dozen that may work as well. I get incredible accuracy with Varget and 50 grain Nosler BT's. I think it's the rage to switch powder, but there are other things that are just as important.

There are a lot of variables in selecting .223 propellant, not the least of which is barrel length. Shorter barrels need pressure to peak earlier, thus a faster propellant is called for. At the other extreme are super-long custom barrels which may actually do best with a dual-powder charge which delays peak pressure so that it drops off just before the muzzle. Obviously, such dual-powder charges are beyond the scope of normal reloading practices and discussion.

The other major consideration IMO is bullet hardness. Your varmint bullets (what I use also) will conform to the bore more readily than harder bullets like FMJ's, monolithics. or even regular hunting bullets, and can do with less pressure.

One consideration that is largely overlooked IMO is a propellant that fills the case. An expanding plasma of propellant will move a projectile more efficiently and with less pressure than hot gas will. A full case can thus be used to effectively lengthen the pressure curve.

Now that the issue is more complex than ever I would simply offer the advice that R. Lee gives in my manual (and I'm paraphrasing here because I don't have it with me) "select the propellant which fills the case the with the fastest powder that will produce a safe pressure". Good luck to you.

The "go to" powder for light bullets for 223 from Accurate would be AA2200 and AA2230. Good luck finding AA2230.

I use H335 with the 50 grainers but my rifle loves AA2200 with a 40 VMax.

A personal observation about varget.
This is far from being a valid test of anything.
Both my daughter and I thinks that varget is louder that other powders. With comparable loadings from the same weapon/s with the same bullets, it just sounds louder.
Does this make any difference? No not reaily.

I load several special loading for my .223/5.56 weapons. I like 748 for all of the 50 and 55 grain loads. I use Dogtown 50 grain HPs in my Rem 600 (punched from .222 Rem - true .223 chamber/throat and a 1 in 14 twist) bolt and if I do my part will end up with a fat 30 caliber hole, 10 shots at 100 yards. For my target AR, I like the Dogtown 55 garin HPs and after 20 or so rounds, there is nothing to shoot at in the center of a 2 inch target. My 'black-tip'/garbage loads are any 55 grain (FMJ pulls included) and these will out shoot any factory loads I have ever fired. This is all with 748 powder.

If I move to heavier bullets, I like H4895.

Consistency and adjust your loads to find the one/s your weapon does best with.

I started with Varget in my Bushmaster, got sub MOA groups right off the bat and found no reason to switch. Also great in my Contender and Savage 11.

The only way you will know what your gun likes it try them (all). I'm still looking for a one that will shoot accurately in my Wylde chamber barrel AR. Varget has been the best for the heavy 69 gr HPBT-M and 55 gr FMJ-BT so far but I'm looking for a powder to run on a AP. I've had decent luck with CFE-223, and W748. Tried H335 did not work for me at all. My match loads I use Lapula brass for my 55gr loads I'm using LC. Both have near the same volume.

Use this as an excuse to shoot more

20gr IMR4198 and 52gr. Sierra #1410. This combo has shot well in three different bolt guns. It is my "go to" for accuracy.

I have had great success with W748 in a 20" AR.
55/gr Hornady SP.

It meters very well in throwers like the Uniflow.

You can load up a lot of accurate ammo in a short amount of time with this powder.

I chrono'd some 55 grain HP's today over 25 grains IMR-8208 and got right around 2850 fps over 5 rounds.

Hodgdon website show's 26.5 grains to 27.5 grains with Varget and a 50 grain bullet. Your way below the starting load.

Up your charge to 26.5 and see what happens.

Different powders?

I guess I should have answered you sooner. Sorry.
My bolt guns have a long twist of 1-14. They are extremely accurate.
Ok, My Rem. 700 PSS runs the Noslers and others at 55 grains just right.
My Rem. 700 Varmint heavy barrel actually loves the 40 grain. One fires perfect with a dirty barrel and one will not.
I use AA2015 and bench rest primers and every tiny detail is covered when loading these.
My AR is an Older one pre ban and has always run AA2230 very nicely. The 2230 did not produce the tight groups in my bolt guns as the 2015 did.
I had so much of the 2230 that I used it mostly in my AR.

Now, this may also be important. I never run HOT. My AR loads are sort of under speed. and even my loads in my bolt guns are not even close to hot.
My AR has a 1-9 twist and loves the 55s at 3070 fps. with 24.6 of the 2230.
Once i hit that sweet spot or round the search is over and that becomes my Load. With a scope my AR runs bulk Win. FMJ 55s at .5" at 100 yards. Never attempted to better that.
The targets are older now but they show what my bolt guns did.

I've had good accuracy with 26.5g of BLC-2 and 55g FMJ. A local guy has WC844 at decent price so I'll probably switch to that soon. (AR w/ 1-7 twist)

I believe someone already mentioned it, but for velocity's sake I think it's worth mentioning again.

I've used it a little in the 223, but extensively in a 223 ackley and that's H4198 & IMR4198... they're not interchangeable, but close enough to mention them together.

If a little more velocity is what you seek, do give it a try... very energetic stuff with the lighter bullets. It produces ridiculous velocities before the primers start to flatten in my 22'' 223 ackley... running 55s with 24gr comfortably at 3550fps while 40s on top of 25.5gr hit the 4100 mark. Again, this not a 223 chamber, but I'm certain it'll produce excellent velocities for your 5.56 if you work something up.

.02 more cents.... With a 5.56 chamber you should be good to well over 60k psi, so keep in mind that most of the 'max' published loads you find will have been worked up in a 223 chamber and usually won't exceed 53k psi.

Heres another vote for IMR4198. 21.5 grains, with 55gr sierras.
Its the most accurate load ive found yet.

When im loading specifically for an AR though, I like IMR3031 best. (For no particular reason other than my AR seems to like it)