223/556 with S&B primers, favorite powders

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z7

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i have a few K of these primers I picked up from cabelas and I was wondering what powders they work well with, I like H335 and Tac because they meter so well and have been using Cci 400’s with decent results, I want to load progressively so varget and such are a no go, I reserve that for me 308

I have some 8208xbr on hand, I will be trying the 69g 3gun bullets from RMR I’m a month or two and want to try to make an accurate and easy to work with load

Thanks
 
I would try them with your current load that works for you. If any thing I have found that the S&B primers show pressure signs earlier than the CCI. I've had good luck with Tac and the 69gr SMK as well as the lighter 52gr HPBT-M (SMK).
 
Like you, I like either H335 or TAC in the .223 for an AR style rifle. I use CCI #41 primers when available or the other two CCI SR primers. As for the S&B primers, I would drop back on your current load and work back up just like you should when changing any component in a load.
 
8208 is a very good 223 powder and it meters very well on my LNL.
I have not used S&B small rifle primers but I'm sure they will work fine.
 
I bought 1K of the S&B SR primers, but have not done any testing. I really had in mind trying them in .22 Hornet though.
 
My experience with various primers over the years has made me agnostic towards them when it comes to 223/5.56 loads. The powders I use are (in order of preference):
  • IMR-4198
  • IMR-3031
  • Winchester 748
  • IMR-4064
  • Benchmark
And with these powders, I have found the primer makes no noticeable difference in the performance of the round over the distances that I shoot (up to 225 meters). CCI, Winchester, Remington, or S&B; regular, magnum, or bench-rest all deliver the same performance as far as I can tell. I have not used Federal or any of the ex-Soviet imports (i.e. Tula) because I have not been able to find them in the stores where I shop.
 
Like HDWhit, I like 4064 & 3031, haven't tried the others, but these work well for me

Good Luck

dg
 
I haven't used any "stick" powders in .223/5.56 but out of what I have tried I like
1. TAC
2. BLC(2)
3. 8208 XBR
4 H335
All meter well.
Shooting an AR and Mini14 so I will give up a bit accuracy wise for better metering on the my range fodder.
 
I've used H335 since I've loaded 5.56mm, it meters well and is accurate enough with the bullets I load. I've seen quite a bit of testimony for TAC, so I might give it the 1-pound test drive next time I'm in the store, for the 5.56 and 7.62, just to see.

ArchAngel is correct, though... reduce and rework with new primers, particularly if you are near max.
 
I have used the S&B small rifle primers with my favorite loads with Ramshot TAC in all bullet weights with no issues, but then I load slightly under book max. I have had issues with the S&B large rifle magnum primers (hangfires, failure to ignite ball powders, especially in cold weather), but the small rifle have been fine. And, yes, I did buy 5000 of the LRM version, but they seem okay in the .308 Win with extruded powders, so at least I can use them.
 
Side note:
There are different CFE powders
CFE Pistol
CFE 223
CFE BLK
I believe most of the people above who just mentioned CFE mean CFE223
 
Yeah, H335 is also my go to powder for my Saiga.223. Reliable, accurate, fairly clean. I've never tried any other because I never felt the need.
 
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