Help choosing a powder

[dnmccoy]

Hello all, Im ramping up and starting prep work on my .223 brass for NRA highpower matches this summer. I will be using 69gr SMK's in LC brass with CCI primers. Im shopping around for powder today and was looking for some insight from the hive. Im loading on a Lee Classic turret using the pro auto disk measure, so Id like something that meters somewhat reliably in it. I have been looking into TAC,Varget,Reloader 15. Any suggestions? Max range will be 300 yrds out of a 1:7 Krieger 20" barrel

 

[cfullgraf]

I use Varget with Sierra 69 SMK in my Service Rifle match rifle.

 

[Waywatcher]

Varget doesn't meter all that well in my RCBS Uniflow. Tac is better. I haven't tried Reloder 15 but it also sounds like a good powder.

Varget is too slow burning for all but the very heaviest .223 bullets, IMO. When my Varget is gone, I won't be replacing it.

 

[rockn30809]

TAC works very well. Haven't tried RE15 in .223 but have heard good results using it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

In a Pro Auto-Disk the classic .223 powder, H335, will meter like water.

I use H335 and Varget for all my .223 loads these days depending on which rifle I'm loading for.

 

[TheCracker]

I have your same setup.

Varget meters ok, not great prolly get charges varying as much as .3 grains but usually around .1 grain. Varget has a tendency to fill the case souch you will have kernels I powder bounce out when ku cycle the press unless you place a bullet on top of the case as it glues down!

H335 meters perfectly but leaks out of the auto disks and makes a mess.

I just loaded some IMR8208 XBR but have yet to shoot it. It metered better than varget since the grains are smaller but not as good as h335. I have no idea if it will shoot well yet tho.

 

[frankge]

H335 is a tad fast for the heavier bullets, maybe BLC-2?

 

[Presto]

BLC-2 is my standby for heavy .223 bullets, and meters through my Hornady meter like water. Very consistent in drop weight and velocity.

 

[Chip1wa]

TAC, BLC-2? Are these abbreviations ya'll are using for these two powders?

I've been using Reloader 15 with the best groups of .38 CTC with a White Oak Armament upper, but this is the first power I've tried..

A buddy and AR nerd tells me Reloader 15 is a bit dirty and Varget burns cleaner, but what about these two other powders?

Dirty

 

[sugarmaker]

Varget or RL-15 for 75 to 80 gr bullets

 

[Ky Larry]

I like AA-2460 for .223. It's a ball powder and meters like water. Clean and very accurate. It's my favorite powder for .223.

 

[SlowFuse]

I use varget for 69 and 77 grain SMKs. Works well for me, with the 69's being the more accurate of the two. I use H335 for the lighter stuff.

 

[A-FIXER]

I use W-748 and looking in some of my old Hornady reload books and w748 was use in and up to 30-06 with some pretty heavy bullets and it meters very nice . I use this exclusive for my .204 v-max's and does very well.

 

[Grumulkin]

I worked up this load for my AR but it also has worked the best of anything I've tried in my bolt gun. I've also tried all of the powders listed above except AA 2460 (I'll have to try that as well) and didn't get as good results as with RL-15. For bullets in the 55 gr. range, I us BL-C(2).

I don't think RL-15 meters as well as ball powders so all my powder charges with this powder are weighed. I don't think it's a particularly dirty powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

TAC, BLC-2? Are these abbreviations ya'll are using for these two powders?
Dirty

No, those are not abbreviations but real powders.

TAC is the name of a fairly fast rifle powder made by Ramshot. Look Here.

BL-C(2) is a Hodgdon powder. The letters originally meant Ball C powder which was a surplus military powder and when it ran out Hodgdon contracted for a new replacement which was a little slower so it was names Ball C-2. Look Here.

It's not written Ball C 2 on the can though, it's written BL-C(2).

 

[Walkalong]

It's BL-C(2) because the original lot of surplus BL-C is long gone.

 

[DoubleMag]

'Hello all, Im ramping up and starting prep work on my .223 brass...69gr..."

Varget


anyone try that newer Alliant AR Comp powder?

 

[Ky Larry]

I haven't tried the new Alliant Comp powder. I have shot a pound of IMR-8082 in my CZ-527 (1-9 twist) with 40gr Sierra Varminters and 69gr Nosler Custom Comp bullets. It was about like Varget and H-335. It shot ok but not great. AA-2460 is still my goto for .223. YMMV

 

[wanderinwalker]

For metering through the LEE Autodisc, I'd have to suggest trying two powders I haven't used: Ramshot TAC and Accurate 2520. I know a High Master who uses 2520 for his short line ammo (200-300) because he loads on a progressive. I'm tempted to try TAC because I wish to load my short line ammo on a progressive myself, and my local shop doesn't carry Accurate (I don't think he does anyway) but he does have Ramshot.

BUT, right now I'm burning through an 8-lb keg of Varget in .223. I've had so many good results with it, I can't bring myself to switch. Also good is RL-15. I cut my first LEG points using ammo loaded with that powder and Remington 7.5 primers. And H4895 does well as well, but the soot seems to be a lot harder to clean off the cases after.

Whatever you do, DO NOT use anything like W-748 for 69-80gr .223 loads. I found it absolutely unsuitable in temperatures over 75-80*, with lots of pierced primers from a load that was actually very mild (2650-2700 fps with a 69gr Nosler). Your bolt face and firing pins will thank me... :banghead: (The irony is my go-to 52gr load for shooting at 100-yards is a stiff dose of W-748 and a CCI-450 primer.)