Best powder for .223 carbine 55gr

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For you guys recommending Varget as metering well, what powder drop are you guys using. I'd love to be able to put that stuff through a dropper, but it doesn't meter well at all for me. I have have to weigh each charge.

I throw it with Uniflows and Dillon. All stick powders are somewhat problematic to throw; some are impossible. IMO Varget is one of the better ones. Better than 4895 which I don't use much anymore. I operate under the theory, that if your load is accurate, it probably falls into a "node" where a slight variation in weight doesn't affect accuracy.
 
Lots of good powders suggested here. Pick up one pound of whatever you want to try. Test it, and if it works, buy 16# of it so youll be set for a long time. If it doesnt, try something else. Dont lock yourself into something until you know it works. Ive seen a few guys do that, and then struggle to get it shooting decent and are sitting with 7 1/2 pounds of something that doesnt work as well as they hoped. I have a buddy that is going thru that right now with H335 not being as good as he hoped is his particular rifle.

Ive used H335, CFE-223, but currently have 16# of 2230 that I got at fire sale prices on hand that will be used for the 55s and possibly some 150s in 308. I do want to try some Benchmark at some time, but its not a huge priority.
 
RCBS ChargeMaster 1500

That isn’t metering. That’s weighing. I think the OP is talking about going through a powder dump for bulk loading. Yeah...TAC. I actually got pretty good accuracy out of TAC too. Not as good as Reloader 15 or Varget, but close enough for gov’ment work.
 
IMR4895 or H4895. I've used IMR4895 for many years. I've tried everything else and happy with other powders but I keep going back to the old stuff.
 
Another vote for Tac. Used to be western brand propellants were a bit less cost wise. That and good metering in a measure got me started using it. I have tried half a dozen others and Tac is as good or better in all my 223's so I buy it exclusivly for 223 loading. Yeah I like it that much.:thumbup:
 
I like TAC for .223.
H335 would also be a good choice.
Both meter well if you are dropping charges.

Lots of things that will work.
 
Well, I got some range time today to try out the little carbine. Unfortunately the wife loves it, so my reloading volume may skew towards 55 gr in this caliber rather than heavy match. With the rather crude sights, and 24.7 gr VN140 thrown and a 55 Vmax I was able to keep 10 shots inside 3" at 100. Apparently this little carbine has potential, and does well with a slower burning powder than I'd expect for this application. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to give some a try when my rather dated supply of N140 runs out (or maybe I'll just stick with that one).
 
Just FYI, I had a DPMS Oracle with a 1:9 (if memory serves...) light weight barrel... if your Bushmaster is similar, any pressure on the barrel will change your POI or open your groups up. I was shooting it slung up and it changed the POI almost 6" because of barrel deflection. As an ammo burner, it's fine, but if you are looking for better accuracy with better bullets, you may look into a different barrel, or a free-float forearm.
 
Just FYI, I had a DPMS Oracle with a 1:9 (if memory serves...) light weight barrel... if your Bushmaster is similar, any pressure on the barrel will change your POI or open your groups up. I was shooting it slung up and it changed the POI almost 6" because of barrel deflection. As an ammo burner, it's fine, but if you are looking for better accuracy with better bullets, you may look into a different barrel, or a free-float forearm.
It's a medium contour fluted stainless barrel with a floated handguard. Currently has no provision for a sling (working on that). Going to attach to the bottom of the handguard in some manner. Ran it through a cold to warm barrel string and worked with a couple of different pressure points and it didn't move.
 
My experience has been
IMR 4064, H4895, 8208xbr, benchmark, cfe223, imr3031, and CFE223.
H4895 was best for accuracy and velocity.
Benchmark slightly edged out 8208xbr for accuracy and easy metering.
CFE223 was good for velocity and easy metering. Accuracy ran in the 1.25" 10 shot group range with thrown loads and bulk soft points.
I moved away from 55s in 223 and either use 40s or 77s.
40s with a case full of CFE223, 8208xbr or benchmark are extremely accurate in my 1-8 twist .556.
 
My best accuracy is with the faster burning powder. AA2105, RL10x. For a little more velocity I like IMR3031 and AA2230 and AA2460 all with a 55 grain bullet. My favorite is a Hornady 55 grain soft point.

kwg
 
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