What powder to use in 223 ar15 ?

[man151]

I have been reloading 223's for AR15's a few years. I would like know what other reloaders think is the best powder to use is ? I have used Winchester 748 ,and IMR 4198,3031 powders at the suggested starting loads . With 50,55grain bullets . I use winchester primers. I get good results. What do you use?

 

[cfullgraf]

I use AA2230 with 55 grain bullets, Varget with 69 grain bullets and up, both bolt and AR rifles.

I have been experimenting with CFE223 in a 204 Ruger AR with good results. I plan to try it in 223 Remington at some point.

There are lots of other excellent powders suitable for 223 Remington.

 

[dap22]

H335 and WC844 (one in the same, 844 being sold in bulk for much less $$). Sierra calls for 23.6g starting for a 55g FMJBT and 25.7g max. I've settled on about 25.0g as an accurate load.

I also use H335 in 30-30 and AK47 with good results.

 

[moxie]

W748 works well. I've found that RE-7 and RE-10X work great too and are a bit cheaper. About 21.5 grs. of either under 55gr. is a nice range load.

 

[RustyFN]

I have used W-748, BLC-2 and H-335. I like H-335 best. I now use H-335 and WC-844.

 

[KansasPaul]

I have used BLC-2, W748, H335 and Varget. BLC-2 meters well and I have used it to load large runs of plinking ammo. At this point however, I use Varget exclusively. Takes more time to load because I weigh each charge (doesn't meter well) but it sure works well in my rifles.

Paul

 

[Miata Mike]

H335 and WC844.

 

[jmorris]

You didn't say and no one has asked yet but how are you throwing your charges.

 

[man151]

Thank you all for your responses. I am going to try some of the powders recommended.

 

[man151]

I us a Lyman powder measure. After its setup it meters very well. I check every 6 or 7 throws with a scale. The ball and flake powder meters very well . The extruded powder does meter ok . If it becomes problematic , then I thow an under charge into the (scale pan ) and trickle powder charge to exact weight.

 

[MachIVshooter]

H335 and WC844 (one in the same, 844 being sold in bulk for much less $$). Sierra calls for 23.6g starting for a 55g FMJBT and 25.7g max. I've settled on about 25.0g as an accurate load.

+1

I use 844 for 5.56 and 7.62.

In military brass, I keep the loads a little lighter. 55 gr. bullet and 24.5 grs. 844 is my 5.56 bulk ammo load.

Pull down 844 is just over $10/lb before shipping and hazmat. You don't save much over commercial 335 powder unless you order at least two 8 lb containers, though. Gotta make that hazmat fee count!

 

[jmorris]

I us a Lyman powder measure. After its setup it meters very well. I check every 6 or 7 throws with a scale. The ball and flake powder meters very well . The extruded powder does meter ok . If it becomes problematic , then I thow an under charge into the (scale pan ) and trickle powder charge to exact weight.

With that info, I too would suggest giving varget a try.

 

[Henry45]

For me, in this order..

H335, WC 844, Varget

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use H335 or it's none canister cousin WC844.

You can get a lot of information from this thread which is on the same first page as your thread asking the same question.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=685767

 

[gshipps]

H 4895 for me.

 

[Ky Larry]

My goto is AA-2460.

 

[GLOOB]

I use H335 and/or W748. I'm sure I'd do just fine with BLC2, too. These powders are fairly similar, and they work great in my measure. I've played with Varget and 3031, some. But they'd have to be a lot more accurate for me to switch, cuz they can bridge in my measure. Luckily, I'm not a good enough shot to see any difference.

 

[mnhntr]

H335 light bullets and Varget heavy bullets

 

[Boxhead]

TAC.

 

[BADUNAME37]

H335
Barnes 62g Triple Shock Solid Copper X Bullet
1:9 twist
Great results

 

[elwoodm]

i have used most of the powders listed with good results but settled on benchmark because of the amount of powder used and the fps obtained. ar's with only 16 inches of barrel 55gr bullet and 1in 9 twist's i like to move things along rather fast but not RL 7 fast only use that in 7.62x39. benchmark never needs to be compressed for almost hot loads.

 

[hentown]

I used AA2200 data powder, until I ran out; now using 844. Since, in a thread like this, you're going to get eleventy-zillion different powder recommendations, will you really know anything more than you did you you started the thread?

 

[hubcap]

I've had good results with W748, I3031, A2223, A2015, and H4895

 

[Bentley4700]

RL 15 is another powder that is amazing in an AR. Produces my most accurate loads with 55gr and 75gr.

 

[WVRJ]

Varget or BL C2.I get good results with Varget under 60 gr ballistic tips.It also works well in several other calibers that I load for.That helps keep things simple.