First Reloads, need powder selection help. .223

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.308 garand

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Hello,

First I just wanted to say thanks to this board, it is a wealth of info.
I just started reloading and need some help with my powder selection. I am needing a powder for my .223.

This is for my CZ 527 Kevlar Varmint with a "24 barrel with a 1:9 twist.
I think I have decided to use a 65gr. Sierra Gameking bullet. (Any input or suggestions on this are welcome.)

I know there are multiple powders out there that will work for the .223 but I am looking for:

*Like everyone constancy.
*Not temp. sensitive
*Something that works well with my bullet weight.

TIA,
.308
 
Varget is said to be excellent for the heavier .224 bullets and is almost totally immune to temperature extremes. Doesn't meter very well so carefully trickle the last few tenths, or use a digital powder dispenser/scale.
 
Varget is said to be excellent for the heavier .224 bullets and is almost totally immune to temperature extremes. Doesn't meter very well so carefully trickle the last few tenths, or use a digital powder dispenser/scale.
Click to expand...

Ditto.
 
4 good suggestions there. I would try TAC (because I have it, although I also have H335 & Varget.) for those 65 Grainers. :)
 
I load up some damn accurate 100 yd match loads with 25.0gr of H4895 under a 60gr Sierra Varmit bullets.
 
Not being negative, but I have had zero luck with Varget in anything.

Last night, shooting my Savage 12FV (bull barrel, single shot, non accutrigger, 1:9 twist), using Nosler 69 gr HPBT's over 25.0 gr of H4895, I was happy with the 1 1/4" groups.....at 300 yards. 3000 fps load using Fed 205M and neck sized Winchester commercial cases.
 
Varget works fine and meters

Varget works fine in my RRA and Olympic ARs and meters consistently in my Pro Autodisk.

From my experience and what I read, .223 has a huge number of powder choices for most cases.

I've also used Tac and H335 with similar performance to Varget. I have been shooting almost all 55 gr moderate loads and haven't been concerned about ultimate accuracy since the RRA gives sub MOA with all of the above.
 
My book says for a .223 68 gr. use:
VIHT N-135
H 322
H 335
AA 2230
VIHT N-140
IMR 4895
VARGET
BL-C2
WIN 748
*Italics will load up to 2800 fps

It also says their best results (with 68 gr appropriate powder) were VIHT N-140, then VIHT N-135. AA 2495 did well but it's for 75 gr. bullets.
 
Also very new to reloading here, went with H335 so I could use it for .223 AND .308 and not have too many different powders laying around. H335 meters well too

Found this on AR15 - many .223 loads, and a couple using 65gr. Sierra Gameking
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=206

By the way, this is my first post, after lurking & sampling lots of useful knowledge. Thankful to be here -

Steve in El Paso
 
Varget or RL15 have been the best out of the 3 I have tried. Varget works well for me in that, 308, 8x57mm, and the 30-06. Might try it in the 6.5 swede sooner or later
 
Reloading CZ 527 Kevlar 223

I have had good luck with BL-C(2) in my CZ 527 Kevlar.

Our club range is 100 yds. and I have set up the following loads for it:

Sierra 52 BTHP with 26.6 gr. BL-C(2)

Hornady 60 SP with 26.5 gr. BL-C(2)

Sierra 60 HP with 26.5 gr. BL-C(2)

Sierra 65 Gamking with 25.8 gr. BL-C(2)

Sierra 69 Matchking with 25.8 gr. BL-C(2)

My CZ Kevlar will shoot most of these loads into less than 1/2 in. (5 shots) if I do my part, and this is with a 3-12 Sightron scope.
 
I am only shooting 55 gr but IMR 4895 and 4064 gave me my best groups. 748 did ok but not as well as the others.
 
The 223 is one of my favorites

to shoot and reload for. You have had some very good suggestions so far and I am go to reitteraate what has already been said. BLC-2 and H335 are/were my favorite powders for this cartridge. Should you decide to get a 204 they also work very well in that. I recently bought a butt-load of TAC at bargain basement prices and it is also great in the 223 as well as the 204. All 3 measure incredibly well because they are so fine. They are all very consistant because they measure so well. I have heard a lot of good about Varget and I even bought a couple pounds to try but, it is an extruded powder and tends not to measure as well as the ball type powders. I don't want to have to use a trickler when I can get superb accuracy out of the 3 powders that I have mentioned. Just to be clear, my savage 12 bvss in 223 will shoot sub half inch 5 shot groups all day long with all 3 powders and a 52 gr BTHP from sierra. My 204s are slightly better.:D
 
Narrowed my choices

Thanks for all the help. I am trying to get my mind made up because there is a gun show this weekend. I believe I have narrowed my choices down to the following:

BL-C(2)
H335
TAC

I would consider Varget but the general consensus is it is difficult to meter. Since I am new to reloading I want to make things as easy as possible starting out.

Now that I have narrowed it down to 3, which one of these fits my criteria best?

*for a 65gr. bullet
*insensitive to temperature
*meters easily

Thanks again for all the help.
.308
 
reloading CZ 527 223

Well BL-C(2) will give you 2 out of 3 of your listed criteria.

My 527 Kevlar will shoot 25.8 gr. BL-C(2) and the Sierra 65 gr Gameking into 1/2 inch groups using WSR primers. Meters great but it is not as insensitive to temperature as other powders though.
 
Well after much research I decided to go with Varget. The fact that it is more insensitive to temp. has overridden it being more difficult to meter. I just wanted to thank everyone for there help. Hopefully I'll have some good groups to post in the future.

Thanks,
.308
 
23.0 gr. H-335 and Sierra 69 gr. BTHP; Federal 205M primer and Federal or Winchester brass.


Incredible accuracy at 100 and 200 yds.

This load shoots under a 1/2" in at 100 and less than 1-1/2" at 200 yds.
 
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