preferred powders for reloading AR-15s

[JimGun]

I am preparing to begin reloading for my AR-15, purchasing Hornady’s “Handbook Of Reloading.” For .223 Remington 53 gr. bullet it lists twenty different powders. Would any of you share your favorite powder(s) and, if pertinent, the reasons for your choice?
Thanks

 

[oldreloader]

Aa 2230

 

[JimGun]

I can't find Aa2230 powder?????

 

[Hungry1]

Do you plan on weighing every charge, or will you cranking out ammo on a progressive ?

You may want to do some research about the way some powders meter through a thrower.

223/5.56 cases have a small mouth compared to other calibers.

I get really great accuracy with IMR 4064 and Varget, I use them both for 308. However, trying to stuff them into a 223 case is time consuming/aggravating.

Win 748 flows through the thrower like water. It's a tradeoff I guess.

Good Luck

 

[cfullgraf]

I got an 8lb jug of Accurate 2230 last month so it is coming back.

Ramshot X-terminator is the same stuff. Maybe you can find some of that. I found a couple pounds over the last couple months.

I like Accurate 2230 with nominal 55 grain bullets. I used Varget with 69 grain bullets when I was shooting Service Rifle.

I use CFE223 in my 204 Ruger AR=15 loads. It should work well in 223 Remington but I have not tried it yet. Lots of CFE223 at the Knoxville, TN gun show this weekend.

Others will chime in with their favorites. Lots of powders work well in 223 Remington.

 

[smovlov]

My current favorite powder for 223 is the one that's in stock!

At this point in time you're going to have to take what you can get in the powder department. Take that list of 20 powders and find out who has what in stock. Things are coming back here and there but it's never bad to give a different powder a try.

 

[2ndtimer]

Fortunately there are lots of powders that work well with the .223 Rem and 50-55 gr bullets. My favorites are:
Ramshot Tac
Benchmark
Accurate 2015
CFE 223
IMR-8208XBR
Varget
Accurate 2200
Accurate 2230
H-335
Accurate 2460
and many others. Grab a couple and find out which one your particular rifle prefers.

 

[newfalguy101]

I use WW 748 because that's what I use for my .308 and have seen no reason to change

 

[Kentucky Rain]

I'm starting off using Varget right now, going to test it out for a while, then try some others. A lot of people seem to like it in 308 as well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I load for a bolt action .223 and an AR-15. I use Varget for the bolt action rifle with a CCI-400 primer and for the AR I like H335 with a CCI #41 NATO primer. If not CCI #41 primers are available I use CCI-450, Rem 7 1/2 or CCI-400 primers in that order.

As said above, AA-2230, TAC, CFE-223, AR-Comp are all top choices.
In addition BL-C(2), Power Pro 1200-R and RL-10x will work well.

Those aren't the only powders you can use in the .223 but they are the top choices IMO.

 

[Dudedog]

If you are using a measure ball powders meter better.
I have used
BLC(2)
XBR8208
H335
Tac.
All meter well for me.
the first three worked well for me prefrred BLC(2)
I have had not had a chance to do work ups with Tac but it meters well.

 

[moxie]

As mentioned, W748 is good. I also like RL-7 and RL-10x. Very good results.

 

[gandog56]

Hodgdon H4198

 

[carbine85]

IMR4895 is one of the best overall powders out there. I use it for a lot different calibers. It's been successful for many years.
AR-Comp, RL15, Varget all work well, however I haven't been as impressed with the AR-Comp as other people have reported.
Varget seems to be a little better when it's cold out.
I typically use mag primers.

 

[Glockula]

I am a big fan of Benchmark. I have used W748, CFE223, IMR 3031 and 4895 with good results as well.

 

[Rangemaster]

Benchmark, H335, A2230 for my 55gr bullets

And

RL15 for my 75gr bullets.

 

[swiftak]

I usually use Win 748 for 55 grain bullets.

 

[stavman11]

CFE223
H335

my go-2 powders

Ive used Varget...dosent meter for crap...:banghead: to chunky
X-Termionator was very good, but couldnt find it

But these Days... if ya dont have any... its what ya can Find...

Keep in mind, 1lb of powder dosent go to far in a .223 case..... so stock up if ya do find some Powder ya like

 

[HKGuns]

IMR 4895, CFE223, Varget, H335, IMR 4064 all work well. IMR4895 is about the most versatile powder you can buy and one that should be on everyone's shelf.

 

[Panfisher]

IMR 4895 has been the most accurate for me. BLC2, and H335 are easier as they meter very smoothly and have been more than accurate enough.

 

[Okcafe86]

A vote for WC748 and CFE223 here.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Just get whatever you can find, a lot of powders will work in this case. You can find a good accurate load with just about any one of them.

I've used these, maybe more I don't remember:

H4895
H4198
H335
H322
CFE223
WC844
BLC 2
Varget
IMR 8208XBR
IMR4198
IMR4064
AA2200
AA2015

 

[mnhntr]

Varget is my go to for .223 accuracy loads in 40-75gr bullets in my ARs. I use H335 for plinking/fun loads. Varget does not meter well but is the least temp sensitive for when I am coyote hunting in the middle of Jan when its below zero. H335 meters very good.

 

[Tony k]

W748 with 55 gr fmjs

CFE223 for 65 grain sierra game kings

H335 does well with both.

 

[nastynatesfish]

I run TAC or aa4895 if I can find it. Have local to me 8lb jugs of wc844 for 130 so I'll probably get one of them to load my open sight rifle and ptr91 with