223 Powder Suggestions

[BYJO4]

I've only loaded for several rifles over the years and used either IMR 4350 or 4831. I decided to load some target loads for my AR using either 69 gr or 75 gr bullets. My Hornady manual lists a number of powders but I have no experience with them. Thought I would ask those who load these bullet weights what powder they suggest. Thanks

 

[WVRJ]

I use Varget in mine.It may be a little slow in the burn rate dept for short barrels,but I get good velocity and consistent accuracy in mine.Hodgdon BLC2 is also good.The new CFE 223 shows potential too.

 

[RPRNY]

With those bullet weights, if you can find it Vihtavouri N135 is THE powder.

 

[W.E.G.]

You do realize that every major gunpowder manufacturer lists online reference data for their powders for every popular caliber.

I suggest you start your search there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There are other powders that will do well but these are the most popular and all listed will do a good job for you!

H335, CFE223, BL-C(2), W748, AA2015, AA2230, LT-32, Power Pro 1200-R, AR-Comp, RL-10x, X-Terminator, TAC, N133, N135, WC-844, WC-846 and a bunch of others I just can't think of right now... I use mostly H335 or WC-844...

 

[45lcshooter]

H335, ar-comp, cfe223

 

[j1]

My bolt action Remington loves 52 grain Sierra target bullets and IMR 4198. Shoots one hole, witnessed, 100 yard groups. Target trigger 6-18 power scope. It is a real benchrest queen. It has shot flies on the 100 yard target.

 

[TenDriver]

Chalk me up for AA-2015. Works well in a Smith AR and a Howa AR-180.

 

[G11354]

I've loaded .223 Rem primarily with H322 and IMR3031. Both worked well but the IMR3031 meters poorly due to its long grains.

 

[kerreckt]

I also have great success with 52 gr Sierra bullets and IMR4198. My Savage and my Vanguard shoot 5 shot groups smaller than a dime at 100yds. consistently. I have had many 5 shot groups half that size using this combination. Best combo I have found.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use Varget with 69 grain SMKs and Accurate 2230 with 55 grain bullets.

i have used H4895 and W748 at times as well. I have plans to try CFE223 but have not yet. I like CFE223 in 204 Ruger, but not so much in 17 Remington.

There are other good powders as listed by ArchAngelCD

 

[Captcurt]

My Vanguard likes Benchmark well enough to shoot sub -1/2 MOA. IMR4198 is a close second.

 

[UziLand]

I load 62gr M855's with VHT135. Works well in my Bushmaster. Meters much better in my RCBS powder measure than the IMR 4198 which is an extruded powder.

 

[djmike]

Love my 322 with Hornady 55gr fmj

 

[J_McLeod]

Plenty of good suggestions here. I'd like to add IMR 8208 XBR.

 

[LeonCarr]

For the bullets weights mentioned - Varget, RL15, W748, and BLC2 have given me the best combination of accuracy and velocity.

My most accurate loads in either a bolt gun or AR have been 52 Grain Sierra Matchkings with H335 or IMR-4895.

Sadly, all of the powders mentioned have been very hard to find lately. Check your loading manuals for compatible powders, check gunbot.net, and have your credit card ready if one of them shows up .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Swampman]

For 69 and 77 grain bullets I'd look at TAC and H335.

RL-15 is excellent as well, but Varget, IMR4064 and 4895 are kind of a pain to meter in small cases. They work great, it just takes more time to get your cases charged.

 

[mnhntr]

Varget for all my .223 55-75gr bullets, except I use H335 for plinkers.

 

[Potatohead]

I just did a quick scan but I didn't see Benchmark listed above. Isn't Benchmark ok?

Im still gathering supplies to start loading 223, and haven't really researched powder types and recipes yet- I just bought a LB of it because it had a 223 recipe on the bottle.

Is it not ideal?

 

[Lj1941]

Ww 748

 

[wanderinwalker]

69gr .223 in an AR-15? 25gr of Varget or RL-15 in a Lake City case, light it off with a Remington 7 1/2 and away you go. If one of those doesn't give you good groups and velocity, your rifle isn't going to. Varget burns a little cleaner in my experience, both meter well in my cheap LEE measure

Honorable mention goes to H4895. It gave me good results but was noticeably dirtier than the other two.

As a bonus, all three powders work well with 77 and 80 grain .223 bullets as well.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I just did a quick scan but I didn't see Benchmark listed above. Isn't Benchmark ok?

Im still gathering supplies to start loading 223, and haven't really researched powder types and recipes yet- I just bought a LB of it because it had a 223 recipe on the bottle.

Is it not ideal?

Benchmark is pretty good but it seems to be intended more for lighter bullet weights. I've used it with some 45-50gr bullets in an AR when 55-62gr bullets were a pain to find. Just about every Benchmark load I tried produced 1.5" or less groups at 100 yards and more reliable cycling than Varget loads with those lighter bullets. Varget is still the most consistently accurate powder I've tried (but I haven't tried all or even most ".223 powders") with 55-62gr bullets, it can just be a pain to meter.

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks KS

 

[gregj]

My RRA with a Krieger 1:7.7 likes 69gr SMK with Varget, and 77gr SMK with N135. I've tried lots and lots of different powders, so far these two seem to perform the best. YMMV

 

[mnhntr]

Benchmark is better for lighter bullets