ArchAngelCD
Member.
The Rem 7 1/2 primers aren't bad either but I find the CCI primers to be slightly better and in normal times more available at a better price.
223 Primers and Powder
- Thread starter Bob in MO
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bigpower491
Member
335 has been my mainstay 223 for years. It's been said that the ball powders like magnum primers the best, but it never really mattered much.
I've loaded it with BR4s, 450s, and Winchester standard small rifle primers and never had an issue, although a touch of variance in the charge weights.
Varget always treated me good in this caliber, too
I've loaded it with BR4s, 450s, and Winchester standard small rifle primers and never had an issue, although a touch of variance in the charge weights.
Varget always treated me good in this caliber, too
Any of those primers and powder will work. I use CCI 450s and have used CCI 41s. For 55gr loads I am currently using H335. Varget is a good powder for heavier bullets. Dont have any experience with AA2230 but looks like it would be a good powder for 55gr and lighter bullets.
get a real loading manual. The lee book load data is just copied from the online manuals. Lyman 49 is great, and when you see some of the loads they publish, you worry a lot less about "pushing it".
Lee's book is very good for powder/bullet weights that aren't popular, and matching lee equipment.
Lee's book is very good for powder/bullet weights that aren't popular, and matching lee equipment.
Charlie98
Member
I did an informal test some years ago... with H335, which Speer data (my main load book at the time) suggests using a Magnum primer. Middle of the road load of H335 with 55grn bullets, the standard primers turned in not only higher velocity, but smaller variance. I think the big thing with ball powders and Magnum primers is very cold temperatures, and I could see it with a compressed load, or a very big charge in a bigger case than the .223/5.56. I did not test for accuracy, that was not the purpose of my test, and it's very likely things could be different if the charge was at max, or it was 12 degrees... or, conversely, 112 degrees.
My rule of thumb is to just pick a primer that works and stick with it through load development. I've used CCI primers almost exclusively since I started reloading in 1989.
bigpower491
Member
That makes sense.
I have probably the same Speer books you do(12 and 13), and for anything with those types af powder, magnum primer.
Thanks for sharing that test data
Ironicaintit
Member
It plays well with gas systems. It was (along with 4198) one of the original powders used in the 223 and the AR.
despite its metering qualities (or lack thereof) it’s my go-to powder for 223
Gone Hiking
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For match ammo, I use CCI #41s, expressly to minimize the chance of slam fires. Knock on wood, I haven't had one, but I have been on the line for a few of them in High Power matches. They usually happen when single loading for sighters or during single loading in the slow fire stages, since the bolt speed is undeterred by not having to strip a round from the magazine. I also use Varget for match ammo, since it gives me the best precision.
For general use / high volume ammo, I often use small Winchester primers since they're cheaper and I'm less concerned about the chance of a slam fire since all my ammo then is magazine fed. I also tend to use H335 since it meters so well and I don't want to hand weigh charges.
For general use / high volume ammo, I often use small Winchester primers since they're cheaper and I'm less concerned about the chance of a slam fire since all my ammo then is magazine fed. I also tend to use H335 since it meters so well and I don't want to hand weigh charges.
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