223 powder choices

[Toprudder]

I like Varget and 8208xbr for accuracy, my rifle seemed to like Varget more for the heavy bullets (75gn Hornady HPBT).

I've had the best accuracy, though, with flat base 55gn bullets (Hornady 55sp). They are good out to 300 yards.

 

[CoalTrain49]

This may help you decide.

http://www.adiworldclass.com.au/powder-equivalents/

None of the newer powders is on that table but it gives you some idea about the older ones. I used to use AR Comp until I ran out a few months before the troubles started. I couldn't find anymore so I'm using W748 now. Looks to be about the same as H335 here on this chart.

Here's another good article.

http://natoreloading.com/best556powder/

They rate Benchmark the accuracy king and AR Comp second. Of course if you aren't a bench rest shooter and just loading for an AR it may not matter. I think people get too hung up on powder. Every rifle is different. It's your job to find out the components your rifle likes best. It's a dirty job but somebody has to do it.

 

[CoalTrain49]

It used to be super popular, kind of fell out of favor.

You can probably figure out why. Marketing of other powders might have something to do with it. I think a lot of tried and true powders are quietly being discontinued and being replaced by heavily marketed new formulas.

 

[Bfh_auto]

IMR 4064 is a sleeper and I found a good 75 grain load with it. It doesn’t like my 20” barrel but shoots really well from a 16” barrel.

Don't let the cat out. Everyone thinks it's terrible because of the long grain.
I agree. 24.0 worked with 52, 55, and 77 gr bullets for me.
It crunches a bit with the 77s.
Don't forget 3031. It was a crunchy load with 55s. But was lights out as well.
Both sit on the shelf longer than other options.

 

[DMW1116]

Between this thread and the 30-30 thread I suppose I’m going to have to find some IMR 3031. I haven’t tried IMR 4064 in light bullets but I may have to now.

 

[WVRJ]

In my custom bolt gun I've found IMR8208XBR to be a little bit more accurate than Varget with the 69 grain SMK's and 73 grain Bergers.That finding comes from shooting a lot of both.But 8208 is probably among the most rare powders there are.My run of the mill 55 or 60 grain AR loads use CFE223.I usually stay a little below max and have had no problem with it in hot or cold temps.748 will also serve well.I use ball powders for the AR stuff so I can avoid weighing each load.223 and 308 are both easy to load for and there are a lot of powders that'll work.8208 +69 grain SMK's+Federal GM205M primers in my Shilen barrelled 700=groups in the .250 range or smaller on a good day at 100 yards.Lots of other combos will probably do that if carefully loaded.