Best powder for 68gr Hornady OTM .223 loads?

[RockyMtnTactical]

I have a bunch of Accurate 2230 that I have loaded up using 55gr FMJBT's. Have also tried Varget and Benchmark by Hodgdon, but running low on those two powders, have a couple pounds of the 2230. Is the 2230 too fast for a heavier bullet like that?

Which of these powders would work best with 68gr OTM Hornady bullets? Is there something else you would recommend?

Thanks for any help or advice. Somewhat of a new reloader...

 

[NCsmitty]

As you might know, the Accurate manual does not list a load with 2230 and your heavier bullet.
A2520 is listed as is A2495 & A2460.

http://www.accuratearms.com/data/Acc Guide v3.3 version.pdf

I don't believe 2230 would give you good numbers as it is a bit fast for the heavy bullets.

Varget would be a very good choice, but I realize your problem of availability.

If you can get some, H4895 or BLC2 or H335 will give good results as a rule, as will Win 748.

www.hodgdon.com


NCsmitty

 

[freakshow10mm]

H or IMR 4895 or Win 748 would be good choices.

 

[BsChoy]

Stole the words rihjt outta my mouth freakshow

 

[TX Hog Hunter]

I've had excellent luck with 24.5gr AA 2460 in the .223 for 65-69gr bullets

 

[freakshow10mm]

We use a lot of IMR 4895 here for .223 loads. We keep about 2-3 kegs of W748 on hand for a backup. Our IMR 4895 comes to us in 45 lb drums and we usually buy two a month.

 

[jmorris]

748 is my first choice 2nd would be ramshot TAC

 

[Slamfire]

AA2495 is Accurate Arms copy of IMR 4895. Either work great with 68/69 match bullets in the .223.

I have tested a number of powders in the .223, while AA2520 shoots great, meters great, because it is a ball powder, it leaves a lot of residue inside the bolt of an AR. I have also experienced settling (elevation changes while you shoot) at 600 yards when I changed from AA2520 at the short range and went to a different powder .

N140, N540 and Varget all work well with the heavier bullets in the .223

 

[loadedround]

Please consider Hodgdon's Varget along with WW748, it's basically the same powder and I've had excellent results with Varget using 62 and 69 gr bullets in my 1/7" Colt AR15.

 

[something vague]

AA2460 and good old W748 never seems to fail. I also love the way H335 meters and will do ok with 68 grainers. And as a lot have said, good old IMR4895. Be prepared to weigh all those 4895 charges as the stuff meters terribly. But then again, I measure all my .223 rounds as I'm shooting for precision.

 

[freakshow10mm]

Varget is a short grain extruded where as W748 is a ball powder. They are basically same how?

 

[Canuck-IL]

RL-15, 2460, 4895, Varget
/Bryan

 

[loadedround]

Freakshow: Ever look closely at a Burn Rate Chart? I didn't say they were identical, but are listed next to each other for burning characteristics. We've been using Varget when we could't find 748 and vice versa. Each powder requires different quantities when loading...not interchangable. Got it?

 

[freakshow10mm]

A better way to say it was that Varget and W748 are close together in the burn chart rather than your misleading statement of "it's basically the same powder".