Best powder for .223 carbine 55gr

[Random 8]

Obviously there will be differences in accuracy that I would have to sort out through testing. I get this, don't need a lecture, just looking for experiences or theory to shorten the learning curve. With that out of the way, I am looking for an efficient, good metering, commonly available powder to load the 55 gr projectile for a 16" Bushmaster stainless 1:9. Accurate and Ramshot are out as local availability is limited. I've gone through the gun and worked out a couple of bugs. Extraction and ejection are currently reliable with a starting load of VN140 and 55 Vmax per Hornady data, acceptable accuracy at start load +1gr. My experience with the cartridge is only with heavy bullets and target rifles, so varmint/ plinker folks help me out here!

I'm not trying to set the world on fire with accuracy at range or MV, and I'm not necessarily trying to go super cheap. Just a good, efficient load for casual target shooting and up to coyote sized game at relatively short ranges possibly to 200 yards.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like Accurate 2230 for loading 223 Remington with 55 grain bullets.

But, I've had success with other powders as well.

 

[bernie]

I have had good luck with H335.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

I always recommend Benchmark.

Clean, temp stable, great accuracy and velocity.

 

[TonyAngel]

Ramshot TAC. It meters well and gets good velocity.

 

[AJC1]

So jonnys reloading bench provides loads and tests for this exact question. I have not tested near the numbers of powders or loads that can be observed in these videos. I have loaded cfe 223, imr 4166, and tac in this bullet weight. From a loading only aspect the tac and cfe loaded the easiest. I spend most of my time shooting 80's so on target that's what I'm prepared to discuss.

 

[armoredman]

Winchester 748 meters well. Less easy to meter but a bit cheaper here is either Reloder 7 or Reloder 15.

 

[brasscollector]

I've recently had really good accuracy using H4198 and both the 40gr vmax and the 50gr vmax out of a 1-8" carbine. Don't let anyone tell you H4198 won't cycle an AR15.
Powders I've tried that produced respectable accuracy with 55gr would be benchmark & H335, I also have had good results with A2230 but I see that's not available to you locally.

 

[Nature Boy]

I always recommend Benchmark.

I like Benchmark too for the lighter bullets

 

[greyling22]

I've yet to find a powder that didn't do well for me. Tac, exterminator, varget, 335.

 

[Blue68f100]

TAC and the 52/53gr SMK. Varget if you want to move up in weight.

 

[Bartojc]

For 55 gr you will get a lot of recommendations for H335. I use it for 3 different 55gr bullets. Not sure if it is the best, but it works well.

-Jeff

 

[Nature Boy]

Another good one for 55g bullets is VV N135

 

[Random 8]

In looking at the data on Hodgdon's site, looks like H4895 or IMR 4320 might be good fits. This would be useful for me as I have other cartridges for which these powders are suitable. Any experience with those in this bullet weight? I should have added I operate in a wide range of temperatures. Majority of my shooting will be in warmer months, but varmint use might be down to sub-zero temps, so that would put Benchmark in the lead for now.

 

[12Bravo20]

For 55 gr you will get a lot of recommendations for H335. I use it for 3 different 55gr bullets. Not sure if it is the best, but it works well.

-Jeff

That has been my experience as well.

I was considering switching to something that I can use for both 223 and 308 that meters well with the Lee Auto Disk until the panic started. I was thinking of Benchmark.

 

[Charlie98]

I was considering switching to something that I can use for both 223 and 308 that meters well with the Lee Auto Disk until the panic started. I was thinking of Benchmark.

I have sort of the same question going on in another forum... I use H335 for 5.56mm and was wondering if it would work well with 150grn bullets in the 7.62mm, too. There were a bunch of suggestions thrown at me, Benchmark was one, but from what I've seen, it works best in 5.56mm with 55grn and lighter bullets... so that might be something to consider if you want to go heavier, like I do with the 62grn bullet. Both H335 and W748 are extremely temperature sensitive.

TAC was/has been suggested a LOT, I see it in almost every 'what powder?' thread that involves either the 5.56mm or 7.62mm... so I'll probably grab a can of that next time I'm anywhere that has one.

 

[Random 8]

That has been my experience as well.

I was considering switching to something that I can use for both 223 and 308 that meters well with the Lee Auto Disk until the panic started. I was thinking of Benchmark.

Looking at my powder supply last night got me thinking the same thing, and whether I really want to add another powder for a niche application. I have used H335 in the .308 with 150 grain bullets and was thoroughly unimpressed. Did some rudimentary load work and was never satisfied, so used the rest up on plinking ammo. In revisiting the data this morning, looks like H4895 and IMR4320 would fit my purpose for .223 as well. H4895 is a long respected powder for .308, and I have used IMR 4320 in .308 and similar rounds with great success. It meters well also.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have sort of the same question going on in another forum... I use H335 for 5.56mm and was wondering if it would work well with 150grn bullets in the 7.62mm, too. There were a bunch of suggestions thrown at me, Benchmark was one, but from what I've seen, it works best in 5.56mm with 55grn and lighter bullets... so that might be something to consider if you want to go heavier, like I do with the 62grn bullet. Both H335 and W748 are extremely temperature sensitive.

TAC was/has been suggested a LOT, I see it in almost every 'what powder?' thread that involves either the 5.56mm or 7.62mm... so I'll probably grab a can of that next time I'm anywhere that has one.

Thanks for the info. That's part of the reason I did not buy any powder yet. I'm looking at 69Gr for 223 and 168Gr for 308. I would like to use just one powder but it isn't necessary.

 

[DukeConnor]

H335, Tac, cfe223

 

[Charlie98]

Thanks for the info. That's part of the reason I did not buy any powder yet. I'm looking at 69Gr for 223 and 168Gr for 308. I would like to use just one powder but it isn't necessary.

I use IMR4064 for 168grn .308, but that would be too difficult in the .223. I'm going to give TAC a try there, it's burn rate is right there with IMR4064. Another is IMR8208, with a burn rate similar to H335... if TAC doesn't work, I'll look at that.

 

[Millamber457]

why not check out md smith's reloading pages for ideas as well

 

[JCSC]

I tried H335 as my first attempt and it shoots good and meters well. I never looked any further.

 

[Charlie98]

I have used H335 in the .308 with 150 grain bullets and was thoroughly unimpressed.

That was the general consensus in the thread I mentioned above...for the .308... but it does work very well in .223. If you were looking for one powder for .223 that meters well and works in carbine and rifle length barrels, H335 deserves consideration, although there are a lot of good suggestions. I hate having 3/4# cans of weirdo powders on my bench, after buying them for load workups...

 

[Laphroaig]

I like IMR4895 for 55's in .223. I have used it for 69's too with good results. I don't load much .308 but figure its a good powder for many applications there also.

 

[TonyAngel]

For you guys recommending Varget as metering well, what powder drop are you guys using. I'd love to be able to put that stuff through a dropper, but it doesn't meter well at all for me. I have have to weigh each charge.