.223 powder questions

[gizmowizard]

Hello,
Long time shotgun reloader, and I'm just getting into metallic reloading. I have a Lee classic turret press on order and a bunch of other stuff for it..

I shoot Red Dot and ClayDot from Alliant. I understand that Claydot uses the same recipies as Hodgdon clays, so I have load data for that.

I'm looking for .223 load data with red dot. The alliant website is no help..
Is this just a bad idea, i.e. red dot burns too fast for the .223?

Also, what primer size is the .223. Stupid question I know. Small Rifle I guess?

I'm looking to load 55gr bullets.
Thanks!

 

[loadedround]

There are many good powders around to load the 223 and I'm sure yu will get many replies. My pesonal favorite is Hodgdon's Varget with the 55gr bullet and Winchester Small Rifle primers.

 

[GunTech]

Red dot is far too fast for 223. You have to go down to about 60 % loading density before you get safe pressures, and then you're getting pretty low velocities - around 2200 fps.

Stick to powders appropriate for the catridge. I like to have loading densities over 85% for consistent ignition.

2230 is one of my favorite 223 powders. It's accurate and measures easely. Then again, it was designed for 223 specifically.

 

[BsChoy]

Gun Tech has it right...reddot is too fast

 

[Jim Watson]

For casual shooting, I would (do) load with a Ball process powder that will meter accurately. I have used Win 748, AA2230 and 2520. TAC looks suitable. But for target shooting I use Varget; it is noticeably more accurate in MY rifles but I have to weigh charges to feel comfortable with it. Reloder 15 is very good too.

 

[Specter65]

I have had great results using Varget powder with bullets from the 50gr Vmax to the 69gr sierra matchking. Another good powder I've used for .223 is IMR3031. you are correct that it will use small rifle primers.

 

[hankpac]

Glad you are starting metalic re-loading with the .223, since this is a versitile cartridge, and the bullet manufacturers have done all the work for you. Depending on the brand of bullet you choose (and there are several that you may like) each has at least 3 and up to 7 choices for powder.
2230, H335, H or I 4895, the list goes on.
Once Varget came out, seems like everyone went to that, since it is clean, just the right speed, versatile, and extremely temp stable, in either cold or hot settings. I still have a ton of H335 to shoot up, so I don't load a lot of Varget yet.
I use 24 gr of H335 under a 50 gr Vmax, in either mil or comml brass, seems to not make much difference. Around 2900 FPS in the 14" contender and about 3200 +/- in longer barrels. Same charge under a 55 gr soft point boat tail, and it slows down a bit, but still kicks javelina butt. I also use 50 gr hollowpoints called TNT. Very thin jacket, highly frangible like a vmax, but half the price.
After you choose a powder obtain the company's free loading booklet, and use their data. Your fine tuning will be to achieve better accuracy, not especially to obtain higher speeds, since that doesn't always translate to accurate loads.
Some companies will have their most accurate load tested asterisked (Hormady manual?), but remember that isn't shot out of your barrel.
good luck, and have fun.

 

[threefeathers]

Red Dot will get you a red face. Go to TAC, Varget, etc.

 

[Walkalong]

H335 is what I use, as well as some surplus stuff. The already mentioned powders are all good choices.

 

[GunTech]

Jim Watson is dead on. The spherical powders are for us lazy guys who load a thousand rounds at a time. Stick powder like those mentioned will usually produce greater precision.

 

[KI.W.]

.....powder for .223 Rem

Many benchrest shooters also in USA uses VihtaVuori N-133. If You can Have it, don´t think twice. (Sorry, I keep practisering English writing. This communication is however the truth).

 

[Okiecruffler]

Once apon a time I had some reduced load data for the 223 with Red Dot. Got pretty decent groups from my 14" contender barrel and dropped the fps down to meat saving levels on bunnies and the like. I'll see if I can't find it in the morning when I'm at home.

 

[gipperdog]

I've been experimenting with AA2230, AA2520, AA2015, RE15, Varget, H335, & I must say that for all the bullet weights I've tried (36 gr Barnes thru the 75 gr Hornady VMAX) I like AA2230 best.

 

[flynlr]

another vote for AA2230 but when that runs out. I have 16 lbs of Ramshot TAC
that I am going to have to work up.

 

[cpttango30]

Your best powders are Varget, AA2230, AA2015, Win 748, n133, Benchmark.

I have gotten my 748 load down to .411" 5-shot groups at 100 yards.

AA2015 I have gotten down to .495" 5-shot groups at 100 yards.

I get between .495" and .525" groups with benchmark.

I have been trying to get some varget to test out with a 50gr xv-max pill. but can not find any local.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I use Varget for 55gr loads and RL-15 for 75gr loads

ZM