Powder choice for .223

[Acer-m14]

what your goto powder .. currently i'm using bl-c2 and just got a pound of Ar-Comp
the blc2 is working for me on the savage 223 and mini 14 .. going to try the Comp soon .. just
got it and have like 300 rnds to load up ..

 

[meketrefe]

Stick powders are very reliable in all weather. Varget and R15 are classics.
For lighter bullets H4895 can really push them. AA2230 can also push the ones up to 70gr
All versatile powders that work well with a large number of calibers.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have used BL C2 in the past with good results. I also have used a metric ton of IMR 4198 and IMR 3031 for my 223s. The guy who taught me to reload was an IMR fan and those are the two powders he told me to use.

I think the best groups I have ever shot came from 24.6 grains of BL C2. I do have a jug of 8208 and some AA2015 that I will be using for the 223 in the near future.

 

[218bee]

Had great luck with H322 also. Have a 6PPC and use the powder for both. The 6PPC does 200 yd. clover leafs with it. The 223 is a plain Jane Rem Varmint Special from the 1970's but it's still a sub MOA rifle.

 

[7.62x51FMJ]

I use 19 grs. of IMR4198 pushing a 55 gr. FMJBT for the .223 loads and it works great.

 

[togmaster]

+1 for Varget

 

[JamieZ]

Varget

 

[Phauxtoe]

mine come with powder in them already!

 

[Snappo]

I'm about to try IMR 8208 XBR with Hornady A-Max 80 grain.

 

[MilesTeg]

I use varget. I think it meters like crap though. So I drop a few tenths low and trickle it up. I really want an electric trickler and scale combo to help speed up the process.

 

[E the massive]

AA 2015? Anybody? I bought a pound a few years ago during the "powder scare". It was the only powder available. Bad time to start reloading. It goes bang and puts that shiny thing thru paper.

 

[Uninformed and Compliant]

Obligatory CFE for most anything,

but also 748 worked quite well, 55g through a 16" 1:9 with brake.

 

[meketrefe]

I'm about to try IMR 8208 XBR with Hornady A-Max 80 grain.

You will love the amax. Be careful with the tips. Still might be the old polymer tips (A tad softer).

I got very good results with CFE. CFE also worked really well for me for the 105gr amadx in the 6x45L

It can push an extra 150gr fps at a minimum @ 2.35 COAL.

What 223R chamber variant/throat do you have?

If you need a 22 reamer for extra freebore let me know.

 

[Snappo]

You will love the amax. Be careful with the tips. Still might be the old polymer tips (A tad softer).

I got very good results with CFE. CFE also worked really well for me for the 105gr amadx in the 6x45L

It can push an extra 150gr fps at a minimum @ 2.35 COAL.

What 223R chamber variant/throat do you have?

If you need a 22 reamer for extra freebore let me know.

I have a Bushmaster Varminter fluted with 1:9 and I think the barrel is chrome lined? At the time (10+ years ago) they said that would be my best choice for killing paper. I just built a 1:7 Wylde using a Palmetto State Armory barrel. The barrel is their 18" stainless match barrel and also from them I got the full auto bolt in nickel boron which they said would make a great match for that barrel.

 

[dwa12479]

Currently using IMR3031 and Varget.

 

[mosquito]

H335.....meters like a dream from the Dillon powder measures!

 

[li02liberty]

I use the ar comp. I use 20.5gr under a 53gr vmax. My 1x9 barrel loves it.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Bolt gun .223 and .308, Varget, H322, H335. All been good to me in years past.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Cfe223
Blc 2
H335
748
8208 xbr

 

[BDSKJCHRIS]

varget or cfe223...i haven't branched out too much, my starting varget load has consistently given me sub moa performance out to 300 yards on a rifle that is still brand new. 22.8grains of varget in a lake city case with a cci 400 primer and a hornady 75grain bthp bullet, (no cannelure and no crimp).

varget and other stick powders are pretty finnicky when used in a drop so i bought an rcbs chargemaster 1500

 

[Dantheman]

IMR 8208 XBR is really accurate with 55 and 69 gr precision loads for me. Does great with 55 gr ball too.

I couldn't get CFE 223 to shoot as accurately as I wanted.

Those are the only two powders I've tried so far.

Dan