Best powder?

Tactical30

Tactical30

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 5, 2009
1,098
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Eastern Ohio
#1
I am going to start loading 52gr. A-Maxs for .223cal. What would be the best powder to use. Or should I just test some and see what works best. I was also wondering I am just getting into reloading (figure i would start saving some money) and I heard that Hodgens Varget is the best all around powder to use for .223 ammo. I am going to be loading 52gr. and 62gr. bullets mostly ,sometimes up to 68 and 77gr. Anybody have any info of what is good powder to use?
 
#2
Re: Best powder?

Reloading questions are best posed in the reloading section and more than likely already holds the answers to your questions. In addition, there is no "best" powder.
 
#3
Re: Best powder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brain</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Reloading questions are best posed in the reloading section and more than likely already holds the answers to your questions. In addition, there is no "best" powder. </div></div>

Yes very true.


I myself stick to the hodgdon extreme powders. I like to keep the temp out of the factor as much as possible.
 
#6
Re: Best powder?

Hodgdon Varget, H335, and Alliant reloder15 are some of my .223 favorites. What powder is availible in your area might make up your mind for you. Some stores in my area are starting to get some powder on the shelves now.
 
#7
Re: Best powder?

I use 40gr V-Max and the 52gr A-Max with Benchmark and have good results.

The 40s with Benchmark is one ragged hole at 100 for 5 shots, that's off a bipod and rear rest.

The 52s I started with 25.5gr and my five shots were under 1/2", but I haven't had enough time yet to test the other weight charges.
 
#9
Re: Best powder?

Like RL15 in my VSSF. Sub .5 moa easy, even for me
smile.gif
.

52 gr. Amax
25.5 gr. RL15
CCI 400 primers
Win. brass

If the 52's do well in your rifle, you'll probably be wasting your time with the heavies. What twist is it? No twist is a "be all do all".

okie
 
#10
Re: Best powder?

I prefer ball powders for .222 and .223, and shoot lighter weight (50-55gr) bullets in my .223 due to the 1:12" varmint twist. My powder is W748, which is an older powder that has some quirks like burning sorta dirty and being a bit more on the temerature sensitive side. But it also shoots 1/2MOA to 1MOA out of a 15 year old Rem M700 VLS varmint gun, and I just seem to have gotten hooked. Works rather well around 24-25gr (for 55gr and under), and don't go beyond 27gr (for 50gr bullets). Start lower and work up, pay serious attention to pressure indicators.

Heavier bullets require a barrel with more twist, and a friend and I did some serious load development for his rifle with HDY 75gr HPBT Match bullets. Our load was 26.5gr(C*) (That means compressed...) of Ramshot Big Game. Shot 1/4MOA at 200yd from a box stock Savage 24" 1:9" 10FP, bipod on bench. Quite a bit more than once.

Lighter bullets also like IMR-4198, which used to be THE powder for .222 Rem.

Greg
 
#11
Re: Best powder?

I use surplus WC846/WC844 powders for 223's. The 844 is H335 IIRC and it shoots just dandy. The military spec's it for use with that 50-55 grain bullet. Fills the case up pretty well, my stock 20" AR from armalite will shoot MOA with iron sights.

I also use it in my 204 Ruger, that shoots 1/4 MOA or less past 400y with 40gr Vmax. Yes, it's temp sensitive, but it's just something to consider when you're out pounding rocks, chucks, or paper.

For heavier bullets I have used 4198 and 4350 and 4320. They all give similar results, it depends what the twist on your bore is, but you should have no issues finding something available and affordable to shoot a 70 grainer. Varget is expensive stuff since it's in such demand now, I wanted to try it, but not at 50 bucks a pound. I found another powder that works well.
 
#14
Re: Best powder?

Benchmark work's well with the heavier bullets also. I've tested with up to 77gr SMK's. Varget will probably get you a little more speed. If in an AR chambered only in .223 (Not 5.56 spec) you'll be better off with benchmark burn rates from a wear and tear perspective.
 
#15
Re: Best powder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: okiefired</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like RL15 in my VSSF. Sub .5 moa easy, even for me
smile.gif
.

52 gr. Amax
25.5 gr. RL15
CCI 400 primers
Win. brass

If the 52's do well in your rifle, you'll probably be wasting your time with the heavies. What twist is it? No twist is a "be all do all".

okie </div></div>

My VSSF liked nearly the same

something in the 52 or 53 gr bullet
25.5-26.0 Varget or RE15
Primer didn't seem to matter
Win brass

If that don't shoot there's a problem!
 
#16
Re: Best powder?

Check out Tac from Ramshot. They have it at Wideners right now. It is way cheaper than a lot of powders.

$153 for 8lbs of Varget from Sinclair
$118 for 8lbs of Tac from Wideners

I haven't used any for .223 but everyone I have spoken to about the powder in .223 loves it.

I used it for the 1st time today in my .308 and got great groups, velocity and consistancy. I am switching from Varget to Tac for my .308 and .223.

One big advantage of Tac over Varget is that it meters way better than Varget. Stick powders can be a PITA to meter compared to Ball.

I like the Hodgden Extreme powders because they aren't as temp sensitive, but i have heard that TAC is the same way.
 
#17
Re: Best powder?

I had very good results with 21.5grs. of RL10X & a 52gr bullet. While it is not the speediest load around it was extremely accurate. As was said before I don't believe that there is any such thing as the best powder. What works for one bullet weight may not work for another bullet weight.
 
#18
Re: Best powder?

For 100 rounds per hour in a manual feed rifle, I would use 14 gr Blue Dot.

For 10 rounds per hour, I would use 28 gr H335.


For 1000 rounds per hour, I would switch to the 10/22 rimfire and crank magazine loader.
 
#19
Re: Best powder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spot69221</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: okiefired</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like RL15 in my VSSF. Sub .5 moa easy, even for me
smile.gif
.

52 gr. Amax
25.5 gr. RL15
CCI 400 primers
Win. brass

If the 52's do well in your rifle, you'll probably be wasting your time with the heavies. What twist is it? No twist is a "be all do all".

okie </div></div>

My VSSF liked nearly the same

something in the 52 or 53 gr bullet
25.5-26.0 Varget or RE15
Primer didn't seem to matter
Win brass

If that don't shoot there's a problem!
</div></div>

I'm with ya spot, I'm a big VSSF fan. Remmy did something special with them, not sure what. Never seen one that wouldn't shoot and do it very well. I've got a few good factory rifles but none as forgiving as my VSSF. I easily found several loads that were .5moa through it. I just settled on the one I listed, been too long and I cant remember why except that its plenty good as is. I've got more expensive rifles but none I like any better than my little Buckmaster topped, Shillin triggered VSSF. Out to 500, you'd better hide VERY well
smile.gif
. Now back to our regularly schedualed program.

okie
 
#21
Re: Best powder?

A) I know a guy who bought a Rem 700 SPS 223 [the cheapest one they make] that has shot several .2" 5 shot groups at 100 yards with 40 gr and 50 gr Vmax.

B) I have a box stock Ruger #1V that has shot some .4" 5 shot groups at 100 yards with 35 gr Vmax.

C) I soldered [not threaded] a surplus 22 rimfire barrel on a surplus Mauser action and reamed it out to .223 and it shot sub moa. That rifle cost less than $100 to build.

What does it all mean?
1) The 223 has such a low bullet to rifle mass ratio, the the recoil does little to spoil the shot.
2) If you go shooting early in the morning when the flags are still, you can get some incredible groups with any .223 that has a clean bore and concentric ammo.
3) There are lots of guys going around the internet saying "The .223 works well with most powders." They would probably say the same thing about another cartridge if they owned a 25 pound .308.
 
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