Loading 223 with the components that I already have

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mrappe

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Sep 4, 2010
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I have loaded many calibers before but never for 223/5.56 because in the past it was cheap. Over the years I have purchased a RCBS .223 REM/5.56X45 SB T/C die set and some Rem .223 brass and Hornady 55gn FMJ-BT bullets and I already had some CCI 400 primers and various powders. The powders that I have that may work would be IMR4895. H4895, IMR4064, IMR4198 & Varget. I have Hornady & Speer loading manuals from the early 90s and just purchased the Hornady app. I am trying to determine which powder would work the best for an CAR-15 with 1/7 twist barrel. Also I was comparing the load data between the Old Hornady manual and the new app. There seems to be difference between starting and max loads for each of the powders listed that are in common between the two.

Any advice would appreciated.

Thanks
 
All 5 of those powders are in the .223's wheelhouse. I've loaded 55's for an AR with IMR4895 and Varget. I currently like IMR 4198 with 52/55's for my .223 bolt gun. I've never tried IMR4064 or H4895 in .223 but I'm sure that they are fine choices too. Just my opinion, but Varget and IMR4064 might do best with heavier bullets. If I had to choose in your application I'd start with one of the 4895's.
 
I started my reloading journey with the Hornady 55gr FMJ and Varget. Some will say using Varget on such a load is a waste, but it worked just fine for me. I don't have experience with your other powders.
 
I'm looking at the Hornady Handbook 8th edition - 223 Remington - 55 gr. bullet section .
With the powders you have , velocity wise ... only one powder beats Varget ... ( BL-C2 )
Now IMR4895 is only 100 fps below Varget ... and IMR4895 has long been used in Service Rifle Match Ammo and is known for accuracy .
Personally I like accurate loads !
Test both Varget and IMR4895 in your rifle and see what she likes best !
Load Safe ,
Gary
 
ParallelCode said:
I started my reloading journey with the Hornady 55gr FMJ and Varget. Some will say using Varget on such a load is a waste, but it worked just fine for me. I don't have experience with your other powders.
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Varget is the first rifle powder I started with. 223 243 3030 308 30 06 45 70. Didn't waste any of it. Burnt it all. We don't care what some say.
 
IMR4198 is one of my favorites with bullets up to 55gr. I would list my charge weight, but i wont. It used to be at book max back in the day, but its over max according to more recent data.
Accurate as heck and economical to boot
 
I stayed away from IMR-4064 for a long time because it was not as efficient as IMR-4198 or IMR-3031, but during the 20-teens shortage, it was all I could get and I developed a respect for it. You won't be disappointed with 55 grain using IMR-4064.

Develop the load as you would any other powder that is new-to-you and you should quickly find a "sweet-spot" for the load.
 
Are you opposed to picking up a different powder?

IMR powders are going for stupid money right now, if you are using those for different cartridges, I would save them for that... and look for something a little less expensive, and easier to load with. My normal suggestion would be H335 or TAC, and particularly with 55grn bullets.
 
Charlie98 said:
Are you opposed to picking up a different powder?

IMR powders are going for stupid money right now, if you are using those for different cartridges, I would save them for that... and look for something a little less expensive, and easier to load with. My normal suggestion would be H335 or TAC, and particularly with 55grn bullets.
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This would be my suggestion as well. Buy an 8# jug of some ball powder like H335, AA2230, AA2520, TAC, Staball Match, CFE223, etc, and develop the load as best as you can with the FMJs. Basically in that burn range from about H335 thru CFE 223 will serve you quite well with 55 and 62 gr FMJs. The added upside of a ball powder is that it accurately meters so more easily than any of the powders listed.

@mrappe If you are absolutely set on using one of the powders you have? I would honestly take the one that you have the most of and just use it. I would use either of the 4895s or the Varget. 4198 can have issues developing enough port pressure in some ARs because it burns fast. 4064 is an option, but might be extremely hard to replace as its really expensive right now and hard to get unless something has changed. Just bear in mind, that even with the best powders, your just shooting FMJs, and they may struggle to shoot better than 1.5-2" groups from a factory gun no matter what powder you use.
 
I didn’t have a good experience with 4198 in .223 (don’t even recall if it was IMR or H). Mediocre accuracy and disappointing velocity, in my experience. Plus, I am not sure it provides enough gas to run an AR reliably, although the carbine length gas system might be okay. I have used the other powders listed with decent results, and actually had excellent accuracy with IMR-4064, while velocity was less than other powders provide. Personally, I like other powders better for .223/5.56 (TAC, Benchmark, AR Plus, Accurate 2015, 2460, 2230, IMR-8208XBR, for example), but I would not hesitate to load up Varget, 4895 (either one) or IMR-4064 for 55 gr bullets (or heavier) if that was all I had. See which one your rifle prefers and have fun.
 
2ndtimer said:
I didn’t have a good experience with 4198 in .223
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I love me some IMR4198... but it would not be the one I would pick for 55grn .223/5.56mm, that's for sure.

FWIW, I've tested some loads with IMR4895, and I found it a bit difficult to get all those Lincoln Logs in that tiny case.... which is why I use ball powders.
 
So many work fine for 55gr. It's what's avaliable around you that's important.
For starting out fresh hodgdon has very good suggestions for starting out with 223 and 308 that's well worth reading on the website.
 
I haven't used any of those powders. But Win 748 and or AA2230 have done well for me with 55grn and 62grn FMJ. I did try some 3031 years ago but didn't like the way the stick powder metered through the RCBS powder dropper.

WB
 
If your blasting 55 grain bullets 4198 will give you the best your bullets can give. I personally enjoy extruded powders and believe they give the best results. If you get a good load, are you buying more... I would follow up with n130-133 for simular results. They have not gone up in price like imr.
 
Blue68f100 said:
Of the powders you listed I've only used Varget. With the cheap 55gr bullets I would find a cheap powder to burn since that bullet is not going to give you 1 moa, 2 moa yes. I would looke for some TAC or CFE 223 for blasting ammo.
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TAC is great and is my current choice for 55gr in 223. Meters well, performs well, tends to be available. I do miss the pre-COVID pricing though!
 
Kaldor said:
This would be my suggestion as well. Buy an 8# jug of some ball powder like H335, AA2230, AA2520, TAC, Staball Match, CFE223, etc, and develop the load as best as you can with the FMJs. Basically in that burn range from about H335 thru CFE 223 will serve you quite well with 55 and 62 gr FMJs. The added upside of a ball powder is that it accurately meters so more easily than any of the powders listed.

@mrappe If you are absolutely set on using one of the powders you have? I would honestly take the one that you have the most of and just use it. I would use either of the 4895s or the Varget. 4198 can have issues developing enough port pressure in some ARs because it burns fast. 4064 is an option, but might be extremely hard to replace as its really expensive right now and hard to get unless something has changed. Just bear in mind, that even with the best powders, your just shooting FMJs, and they may struggle to shoot better than 1.5-2" groups from a factory gun no matter what powder you use.
Click to expand...
I just found a 1 lb of H335 at a local store and I will try that. 8#s is way too expensive for my budget plus the shipping and hazmat fee on top of it all.
 
mrappe said:
I just found a 1 lb of H335 at a local store and I will try that. 8#s is way too expensive for my budget plus the shipping and hazmat fee on top of it all.
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Besides some of the alternates, H335 is the 5.56mm powder, since it is the canister version of WC844... the powder used for M193/M855 (if memory serves me correctly.) It's hard to go wrong with it, it's available, and it's reasonably priced... at least in this market. 1# will net you nearly 300 rounds, so you'll know in pretty short order if you wish to continue with it.
 
Somewhere between 24 and 25 grains will likely be the best load for your rifle. Maybe even a shade above 25 depending on velocity desired. It’s a nice powder and gives good velocity with less pressure. I use it in 30-30 too.
 
DMW1116 said:
Somewhere between 24 and 25 grains will likely be the best load for your rifle. Maybe even a shade above 25 depending on velocity desired. It’s a nice powder and gives good velocity with less pressure. I use it in 30-30 too.
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Wait, is your rifle a 5.56 or 223? That charge is above max from Hornady for 223. Proceed with caution. My rifles are 5.56 so I got carried away.
 
DMW1116 said:
Wait, is your rifle a 5.56 or 223? That charge is above max from Hornady for 223. Proceed with caution. My rifles are 5.56 so I got carried away.
Click to expand...
MY barrel is 5.56 NATO but the brass is .223. I am starting with the minimum in the Hornady book
 
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