Powder for .223

[Bulldogg]

Just bought a Howa 1500 (thumbhole/heavy barrel) i broke it in and seems to shoot the Hornady 40 grn molys (factory loaded) well want to go to reloads and was curious on loads that work 0 to 300. Ive heard that Hodgedon benchmark with 45 grn v-max work well. Barrel has 1in12 twist any recomendations. thanks

 

[hoghunting]

Bulldogg,
I have a T/C Contender 14" barrel in .223 with a 1 in 12" twist. The slow twist will stabilize bullets up to 55 grains without a problem. Forget anything over 60 grains because they will not be accurate. You will need a faster twist to stabilize the heavier bullets.
Can't help much with your rifle loads, but my Contender is very accurate with Hornady 50gr SX and Winchester 748.

 

[P95Carry]

Vit powder is expensive but I have used N-133 for a long time - they used to at least - market that as an ideal powder for .223 in particular. This is not a recommendation, but I load 24.8 behind 55's.

A lot of folks like Varget and there are plenty of loads listed for that.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I like Varget with 55 grain bullets in my 1-9 twist AR.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I like Varget with 55 grain bullets in my 1-9 twist AR.

Ditto, except mines a M70 HV

I think the 223 works well with just about anything you can put in it. This question comes up often and there are always a dozen or so powders listed as the best.

 

[redneck2]

there was a thread on this maybe 2 weeks ago. Probably 20 different recommendations

 

[ocabj]

Varget is the response you'll get for a lot of cartridges now, including .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO. It sounds generic, but Varget works. It's main claim to fame is it's low temperature sensitivity. It's a good middle of the road powder and works for a lot of the common chamberings. If anything, the only negative thing about Varget is that it has had significant lot to lot variances in the past. I have not experienced this myself (and I buy a lot of Varget in 1lb cans), but I have read reports of this and from what reports have stated, this isn't an issue anymore.

Personally, I've only used IMR 4064 and Varget in .223 and 5.56 NATO. I do suggest a long drop tube if you plan on using extruded/stick powders to get it packed in nice, though. I use 25.0+ gr of Varget with a 77gr bullet for a 5.56 NATO pressure load and without a long drop tube, I'd have a lot of trouble packing that much powder in.

As far as your use of moly bullets, I suggest you don't mix moly and naked. Choose one and stick with it. It is very difficult to clean out all of the moly from the bore and this can affect accuracy if you shoot both moly and bare bullets.

 

[trickyasafox]

i've had good luck with win 748 in the 55gr bullet range

 

[ID_shooting]

I use Win 748 as well.

 

[dcloco]

Try 4198....works VERY well in my 223...from 40 gr NOS BT's to Sierra 69 gr HPBT.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

benchmark or varget

 

[xring44]

A few powders come to mind useing the 40 grain bullets,
#1 Hodgons H335
#2 Accurates 2230 and 2230C, C being very inexpensive
#3 Hodgons BL-C-2
#4 Accurates WCR-845 if you can find it
#5 Accurates 2015 BR
#6 IMR 4895 especially with the 52 grain match bullets by serria

 

[Clark]

Better for coyotes and prairie dogs:
40 gr. Vmax moly:
26 gr. Re10 [100% case fill] 3,863 fps 54,998 psi

Better for ground squirrels:
35 gr. Vmax moly
15 gr. Blue Dot [71% case fill] 26" barrel 2.170" OAL gives 3,400 fps and 36,000 psi

The good thing about that Blue Dot load is a guy can shoot 200 rounds in 4 hours and the barrel stays cool and clean.