Favorite powder for both .223 AND .308
- Thread starter drsfmd
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rem22long40x
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Vaeget , 4895 , BLC-2 , Benchmark . With BLC-2 I am getting 1/4 moa. at 100yd. in 308 and 1/2 moa at 100yd. in 5.56 . 308 /150gr.SGK and 5.56 / 52gr.SMK HP.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I do not load for the .308 so I can't tell you which powder I use but I do load for the .223. I use either H335 or Varget with mostly 55gr bullets. H335 is for the semi-auto and Vaget in the bolt action rifle...
A friend loads for both and he loads a lot. He uses either BL-(C)2 or it's surplus equivalent WC-846.
A friend loads for both and he loads a lot. He uses either BL-(C)2 or it's surplus equivalent WC-846.
JC98
Member
I am a fan of Varget as well. I don't shoot 1000's of rounds so the price difference is not that big of a deal.
denton
Member
Varget is excellent for the 308. However, in the 223 the temperature compensating component in the powder is wildly out of whack. It is less temperature stable than white box military ammo.
I've been using TAC in my 5.56, and liking it a lot.
I've been using TAC in my 5.56, and liking it a lot.
MtnCreek
Member
I don't understand; do you have a source where I could do some reading on this?
Thanks!
denton
Member
The Extreme powders are not so much temperature insensitive as they are temperature compensating. When your barrel is cold, they burn a little faster and that offsets the effect of having cold steel, brass and lead rob energy out of the propellant gas.
The problem with this scheme is that you can balance up the powder recipe so that it works in one particular cartridge, but not so well in others. Varget is apparently balanced for the 308, and H4350 seems to be balanced for the 30-06. If you use those powders in similar size cases/barrel geometries, you still do get pretty good results.
Varget has the right density and burn rate for 223, but the geometry is all wrong for the temperature compensation to work right. So you get temperature sensitive loads instead of temperature stable loads.
The problem with this scheme is that you can balance up the powder recipe so that it works in one particular cartridge, but not so well in others. Varget is apparently balanced for the 308, and H4350 seems to be balanced for the 30-06. If you use those powders in similar size cases/barrel geometries, you still do get pretty good results.
Varget has the right density and burn rate for 223, but the geometry is all wrong for the temperature compensation to work right. So you get temperature sensitive loads instead of temperature stable loads.
AABEN
Member
Accurate 2230
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Varget will work well in both.
I use Varget in my F-class TR .308 loads. If you want just one powder, it'll give good results in both cartridges. If you are chasing match-winning results, stop thinking one-size-fits-all and experiment with what works well in your rifle.
I use Varget in my F-class TR .308 loads. If you want just one powder, it'll give good results in both cartridges. If you are chasing match-winning results, stop thinking one-size-fits-all and experiment with what works well in your rifle.
RE-15
Member
I pick RE-15 for both. I prefer to throw AA2230 or XTerminator in. 223
You nailed it. That's the reason for the initial post in the first place. I'm don't want to have to stock lots of different powders... if I can use only 2 or 3 different ones, I save both space and money in the long run.
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