powder for .223

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trigga

trigga

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just started reloading a few months ago and started with .40 sw. I've had very good luck with the .40 using AA no. 5. This is my primary handgun load but now I think I'm ready to move onto my primary rifle round, that is the .223. in process of buying trimmer, swager, and misc.

Before I but anything, what is a good powder for .223 so I can look around locally? Mainly these will be used for plinking. I plan on using x-treme bullets jacketed 55 gr fmj as I also plan on buying more .40s from them. this will be my first attempt at rifle rounds so any suggestions or tips welcomed.

Notes: powder may also be used for 30-06 and .308 win, platform is the bushmaster xm15e2s.
 
My main .223 powder is AA2230, but I have also had good success with BLC-2.
 
In the mid to late 60s i did extensive load development for the .223/5.56mm. i found IMR 3031 to be the best powder for that caliber. i still use IMR 3031 for all my .223/5.56mm handloads that use bullets weighing 55 grains and less.
 
I also use BLC-2 for my 52 grain bullets and the mini 14. good accuracy for what I do with it.
 
H335, BLC-2, CFE223, Varget, AA2230, AA2200, Benchmark. These are the powders I have developed loads with for my .223. There are other powders that fall in the burn rate of these also. The faster powders listed like AA2230, AA2200, and Benchmark may not work for you if you plan to use the same powder for 30-06. I have never loaded for -06 so I will not advis you there.
 
H335 has also been my go to powder for the .223. H335 (WC844) is what most military ammo was made with but I think that's changed now. As for the .308/7.62X51 the powder that used to be the military powder was BL-C(2)/WC846 and if you want to use only 1 powder for the .223 and for the .308 and 30-06 you might look to BL-C(2) for all of them.

BUT, I will never understand why new reloaders seem to want to want to use only 1 powder for cartridges which are so different. If you were loading the .222 and the .223 I could understand but the .223 and 30-06, not so much! One of the reasons we reload is to build the most accurate ammo we can. Limiting different cartridges to only one powder doesn't aid that goal. You save nothing using only 1 powder.
 
thanks for the suggestions. i will make a list and go check out what is available locally in the next few days when i'm off. I also have been looking into the 300 aac black out too as this may be my next caliber for the ar15 instead of the .308 win. the .308 win and 30-06 will be more of a precision bolt rifle.
 
The second link is for essentially a completely different caliber. It is for a .223 Ackley improved chamber. I much prefer the dead length seating die because you can just screw it in until it touches the shell holder and you're good to go. One time I switched from loading 300blk to 30-06 and completely forgot that the 30-06 wasn't a dead length die, so I screwed it in until it touched the shell holder and proceeded to completely crush the shoulder on the case. If the set with the dead length seating die costs the same I can't see any reason not to get it.
 
The "best" powder may be the one that you can routinely find. I use CFE223 not only because it is good, but also because so many stores carry it. It is to rifle reloading what Titegroup is to pistols.
 
ok now i'm puzzled. what is the difference? Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating Die? is that just another fancy name for bullet seating die? or is it designed to give a better consistent seating... which one to get?
Click to expand...

The second link is for a 223 Ackley Improved. You do not have this cartridge and you do not want this die set.
 
I use Varget for both my .223 and .308 loads. Both of mine are bolt action rifles, though that shouldn't matter.
 
To the OP, get a quality reloading manual, take a list of powders, keep an eye out for one of the listed powders. What you want vs what you can actually get might be two different things. If you read these reloading forums enough, you'll get an idea for a few different powders that seem to be popular.
 
i went out today and the only one i could find was a pound of aa 2230. it was a bit pricy but as a trial, it if works like the aa no. 5, i'll be buying more of it online. almost cheaper to buy in bulk and pay the hazmat fee. my experience with aa no. 5 was that it burned dirty and i could see sparks (unburnt powder?) out the muzzle sometimes.
 
H332, H335, Blc(2), cfe223, 8208(xbr), TAC, varget, aa2230, rl15. All of these will reload fine in .223, it just depends on what you can find. If you can get hold of any of these, buy it, then try it in your rifle. If it shoots well.... buy more.
 
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