5.56 Powder Recommendations

[Tennessee_Ted]

Decided to finally start reloading for 5.56 after saving my brass for years. Found a good deal on some 55gr Lake City awhile back, and I now figure I should stop shooting it up until I can replace it at a reasonable price. I hopped online last night and ordered what seemed like the last Lee .223 dies in existence, as well as a few thousand primers and some 55gr bullets. Getting ready to head down to Sportsmans Warehouse in a little while, which leads me to my question:

Assuming they're not picked clean, anybody got any suggestions for powder that I could get to roughly approximate the Lake City ballistics?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rcmodel]

Did you look at your reloading manual to see what powders give the highest velocity with that weight bullet??

Varget, W-748, H335, H-4895, etc. are the usualy suspects.

Duplicating 5.56 NATO velocity may be a tough row to hoe though.

You will have a hard time finding reloading data for .223 loads that run NATO pressure.

rc

 

[mike.h]

I've been reading good things about CFE223.

 

[JLDickmon]

well, unless you chrono'd the factory load, I'd say no.
But there are many powders to use for the .223..
I like BL-C2 and VV N133

 

[cfullgraf]

I like Accurate 2230 with 55 grain bullets in the 223 Rmington.

Other powders listed are good as well.

 

[bluetopper]

Many, many powders are good for the 223. Match what is in a reloading manual to what's available locally.

 

[emercer4]

+1 for BL-C(2), plus the 8#'s are in stock at Powder Valley.

 

[helotaxi]

I like TAC because it works well, meters well and is inexpensive.

 

[J_McLeod]

I've liked CFE 223 and BL(C)-2. I prefer the CFE. Both tend to be in the high range for velocity.

I also have H335 and H322 but haven't been able to really try them out yet. Just check the load manual and make a list before you go.

 

[cbmax]

Just remember that if you Varget, it usually does not meter well through most powder measures. I still use it, but just don't expect it to pour exactly the same each time.

CB

 

[rodregier]

I've use H335, H322, W748 (among others) with 55g projectiles in .223 Rem. Those all meter nicely. Varget works, but it is a challenge to use with volumetric powder meaures. Varget also is a bit bulky so getting to pack into a case can be annoying. Don't get twisted in a knot about loading to full 5.56 NATO velocities. Keep in mind they use brass with crimped primers to acheive that.

If you are making loads that will be used over a large temperature range, H322 would be my choice of the above, since it's one of the Extreme series powders with less temperature sensitivity.

http://www.hodgdon.com/extreme.html

 

[DCT]

AA2230 and 55 grain bullets work well for me.

 

[HJ857]

Last I knew Ramshot lists 5.56 Nato loadings.
TAC is a good choice for heavier bullets, X-terminator for lighter.

 

[Pilot]

I've had good success with AA2230 and 55 gr FMJBT, but I've just acquired some BLC-2 as I want to load 62 grain - 75 grain for my 1:7 twist M4. I'm sure AA2230 would also be fine for these, but wanted to try something different.

 

[J_McLeod]

I've use H335, H322, W748 (among others) with 55g projectiles in .223 Rem. Those all meter nicely. Varget works, but it is a challenge to use with volumetric powder meaures. Varget also is a bit bulky so getting to pack into a case can be annoying.

If you are making loads that will be used over a large temperature range, H322 would be my choice of the above, since it's one of the Extreme series powders with less temperature sensitivity.

http://www.hodgdon.com/extreme.html

Last night I put the baffle in my LNL measure and tested it with Varget and H322. I threw 10 consecutive charges of each and weighed them. The H322 was all +/-.1gr except one that was off by .2. The Varget seemed to be more erratic, I had a range of .5gr from the smallest to largest. Other's results may vary.

 

[bluetopper]

The shorter the barrel the more I like H322 and 748. A tad faster burning and cuts down on the flash and boom.

 

[osteodoc08]

I've used varget in the past. Just picked up some CFE223 and am excited about trying it.

 

[mike.h]

Please keep us updated on how the CFE223 works out for you.

Thanks

 

[mtrmn]

I agree with the choices above, I use mostly TAC, WC844 and 2230.

I must add that ALL the best-performing loads I've ever found WERE NOT 5.56 pressures. They are all within .223 specs, although on the high end. You will be far better off just forgetting about getting the most velocity/pressure and just look at performance on target.

I don't even break out the chrono until I find what groups good without pressure signs. THEN I'll test them for velocity just for reference.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I've said it...well...before. IMR8208xbr Quite the stuff.

 

[Tennessee_Ted]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I just got back from the nearest Sportsman's Warehouse, and they were out of stock on every powder suggested, except X-Terminator. I double checked that Ramshot had some data listed to match the bullets that I have, and a couple pounds of it came home with me.

Any experiences with this stuff?

 

[mizer67]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I just got back from the nearest Sportsman's Warehouse, and they were out of stock on every powder suggested, except X-Terminator. I double checked that Ramshot had some data listed to match the bullets that I have, and a couple pounds of it came home with me.

Any experiences with this stuff?

If I recall, about 25 gr. X-Term with a MG 55 FMJ @ 2.240 OAL is a good load. You might need to seat the LC pills a little shorter and reduce the charge accordingly.

 

[mtrmn]

IF I recall correctly, Exterminator and 2230 are the same powder. Check it out-don't take my word for it.....

 

[helotaxi]

IF I recall correctly, Exterminator and 2230 are the same powder. Check it out-don't take my word for it.....

You are correct.

 

[5thSFGroup]

H335

Still using H 335 and have always found it to be well suited for .223 loads.