Another .223 question

[TonyAngel]

Hey guys, I'm really getting into shooting for accuracy. So far, I've been shooting RE15 and Varget with 77gr bullets and have had good success. My problem is that those powders are a PITA. I'm using a Hornady Auto Charger, but it still takes a good bit longer than progressive loading using a powder drop.

Can you guys recommend some of the ball powders that flow well through a powder dropper that you've had good luck with. I've used TAC and loaded up some rounds with 2520 to try tomorrow, but after I leave the range, I'm going to head to Cabelas to pick up some stuff. I want to try a few powders.

If it's possible, I'm looking for something fine that flows well AND isn't so temperature sensitive. I'm down in Louisiana and the weather can go from mild one day to scorching the next. I'd love to be able to get away from RE15 and Varget, but I want the performance in terms of accuracy.

Thanks.

 

[JDGray]

For lighter bullets, H335 is good stuff.

 

[woodsoup]

Try some Ramshot Tac and X-terminator. Both are Ball powders.

 

[NCsmitty]

BLC(2) will work very well with the heavier bullets. Not to shabby with the lighter ones too. Check it out at www.hodgdon.com.



NCsmitty

 

[ArchAngelCD]

H335 is the classic powder for loading the .223 and it's a ball powder. As mentioned above, Ball C2 will also meter well but I like H335 better for the 5.56X45mm NATO and Ball C2 for the other NATO round. (7.62X51mm/.308)

 

[TonyAngel]

How about VV N140? I've never seen that stuff. Is that a ball powder?

 

[mdp75]

H335 is my go to powder. It meters flawlessly through my rcbs powder dispenser

 

[DANNY-L]

AA2230 has been good to me with 55gr. Lyman also has data for the 77gr. using AA2230

 

[Canuck-IL]

AA2460 is less temp sensitive than RL-15 and is a ball powder with excellent metering. 22.8 - 23.3 will put you in the same performance range as Varget with 77s. I only use H335 and 2230 with 62gr and lighter bullets.

I've also about given up on 4895 and Varget due to metering issues.
/Bryan

 

[375shooter]

I have also had excellent results with H335, AA2230 and BLC(2).

 

[mdp75]

yeah my ar LOVES 55 GRAIN VMAX pushed by 24.3 grains h335. I have never used r-15 but had a freind once tell me that he loaded around the middle charge weight and left his ammo in an ammo box in the sun on his tailgate. he said every round showed high pressure signs and real inconsistent chornny results until they cooled off.

Of course this is the same guy who told he once dated a popular porn star and they broke up cause she wanted to do movies with him... so take this info with a grain of salt LOL!!!!

 

[doubleh]

I love Varget but I can get almost as good accuracy with BL-C 2 and it meters much more consistently thru a powder measure. That said I take the time to measure each charge of Varget individually. Of course I do BL-C 2 the same way. I want each load to be as consistent as I can get it.

 

[UltimateReloader]

Have you tried your Varget through the progressive powder measure? What press are you using?

I've had "good" results with the Hornady Lock-N-Load powder measure, the Dillon powder measure (on the XL-650) and the RCBS uniflow on the Pro-2000 with Varget. Meters much better than the larger stick powders! Not dead-on from charge to charge, but a reasonable fluctuation in charge weight for rifle.

 

[Muttt]

You really can't beat A-2520 or A-2230 for .223. They shoot real clean and meter exceptionally consistant through my RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure. Good stuff.

 

[TonyAngel]

I didn't realize that AA 2460 was less temp sensitive than RL15. RL15 is pretty consistent whatever the weather. I'm going to have to try some of that 2460.

I went out with a bunch of loads to try today. I used RL15, TAC, Varget and AA 2520. The only thing I learned is that my rifle doesn't like Nosler nearly as much as it likes Sierra. I should have know better than to change a major component now. I just ordered more SMKs and will try again next weekend.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

2460 is almost a ballistic twin to IMR4895 and 2520 delivers the same performance as the other two but in a ball powder form. All 3 will yield very similar results so buy the company or powder form you like and have fun...

 

[nastynatesfish]

I like rl10x. I've shot 75gr amax with it they shoot good. I live in az and it'll go from 10-110degrees and have never had any issues with it

 

[TonyAngel]

Thanks for all of the info guys. I just ordered five more pounds of RL15 and eight pounds of TAC. I figure I'll load with the RL15 for when I'm shooting groups and the TAC when I'm just shooting at targets bigger than golf balls.

 

[andykusaf]

As for me i have tried many powders for my Remington 223 and 55 gr bullet and nothing comes close to Hodgdons Benchmark max load. A friend told me about this load after trying it ill never again use another poweder as in 100 yards on a good day i can shoot 5 shots that can be covered with a dime.