Powder suggestions?

[Sniper66]

Which powder would you recommend for .223 using 55 gr bullets? Mostly using them for p-dogs and other longer range targets. I use Benchmark, but a friend is asking for additional suggestions, thought this would be a good place to ask. Like me he uses Benchmark for his 40gr loads and wants to try some other options for the 55gr. What do you like and why? Thanks. TOM

 

[MtnCreek]

IMR 8208 is good w/ 55gr bullets and meters as good as Benchmark. You should get more velocity from the 8208 also.

Doesn't meter very well, but 4895 is my 'when in doubt' powder for most rifle loads.

Varget does good w/ 55gr bullets when pushed, but is doesn't meter as well as 8208 and it tends to make a mess on a progressive press.

Lots of folks here like TAC. I've never used it.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

lots of options

H335
TAC
CFE 223
Varget

those are some of the most popular ones

 

[rcmodel]

Win 748.

Been using it since 1975 and have found no good reason to change.

rc

 

[GW Staar]

Win 748.

Been using it since 1975 and have found no good reason to change.

rc

Yeah, but its old....we're old....

That's the grief I get for using Unique around here for .45 since '72...for the same reason.

Have to admit though, I like TAC as well. Also a ball powder that meters easily in a progressive.

 

[carbine85]

I have used IMR4895 for 20+ years now. I haven't found anything that really much better. I can get sub MOA in my RRA Varmit using it.

 

[Captcurt]

Showing my age.

Hey GW,

I dug thru the reloading junk in the garage and came up with three pounds of Unique. Haven't used it in years. Loaded up some 45 Long Colt. Works swell. A little dirty but they went boom.

 

[Kingcreek]

H335, a2230

 

[BullfrogKen]

I've used both AA2230 and IMR 4198. The Accurate meters nicely, being a ball powder.

You really can't go wrong if you pick something that burns in the right range. It's more a choice of what your powder measure likes.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like AA2230 with 55 grain bullets, but have used others quite successfully.

 

[JimKirk]

Give Reloder 10X a look .... I finding it meters good, clean shooting and very good accuracy.

 

[j. rap.]

i use bl-c2 but i have no problem using H-4895.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

H322 with Hornady 55gr. V-Max and H-CFE223 with 55gr. Nosler BT's. Both shoot 5-shot groups at under 1" from 100 yds in my Remington 700 if I do my part. I have not tried either from distances more than 100 yds.

 

[the count]

The truth of the matter is...

...what might work great for me and my rifle doesn't mean didely squat to your gun. You just have to try out several good brands of rifle powder and see what your gun likes. Of course, if you are really after accuracy you will have to try different bullets, and then different loads with different bullets, and then sort the brass. and then you will need a concentricity tool, and then find out what shooting off the lands means....see my drift? It just never ends :banghead:

 

[jwrowland77]

I like H4895. I use it for a load for my daughters .223. Does pretty good I think. She shoots a 55gr Hornady V-Max.

 

[dgod]

I would use 24.4 Grains of IMR 4064, it shoots great....

Dan

 

[GLOOB]

I tried Varget, and it's not worth it to me. It takes some occasional tapping to get it to trickle through a .223 case neck. And even when it doesn't stick, it requires a short pause for all the powder to go down. Bridging is a real possibility.

H335 meters fast and clean.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, there are many good choices including H335, TAC, CFE 223, W748 and Varget.

I must admit, from a bolt action Howa 1500 rifle I have gotten the best accuracy using a 55gr Sierra GameKing and Varget. I can achieve repeatable .4" groups with that combination including a CCI400 primer.

 

[5thSFGroup]

CCI 41 primer with H335 works for me...but I have a VERY tight barrel...even tighter than the 1/7 twist rate. I use lower loads than some of you would with a different barrel.