Author Topic: Need a 223 powder recommendation. (Read 2081 times)

teddy12b · « **on:** October 10, 2008, 01:57:59 AM »

I recently purchased a ton of once fired brass for my reloading components. Currently when I reload for a 223 I use my chargemaster combo to crank out the exact amount of varget (stick powder) for each load.

With as many pieces of brass as I just purchased I will need to go back to using the powder dispenser on my dillon 550B. What is a good reliable powder to use in a dispenser that will be very consistant. I currently use varget and it's a stick powder, is there a flake or ball powder that would work just as well?

Kurt L · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2008, 02:22:35 AM »

have not done a lot of 223 but H322 is smaller than Varget
and H335 and H380 is very fine and small these are the only H powders I have in that range.
not sure about blc2as I don't have it.
just some other info for future use if you need it, Reloader 7 is also a very fine or small as well as
AA2520 and all work very well in my Hornady measurer.
hope this is of some help to you,sorry I don't have any load info yet for 223

1sourdough · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2008, 02:43:02 AM »

Yes H335 was THE powder for the 223. You really need to check out Ramshot TAC. Very easy to meter, like H335 but cleaner.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:18:34 AM »

Teddy

You may also want to take at look at BLC-2 , it meters well in a dispencer and has been a go-to powder for the 222 /223 size cases for a long time .

stimpy

teddy12b · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:28:41 AM »

I should have mentioned this earlier, but I plan on using this powder for 55gr. bullets, possibly the 69gr matchkings, but 99% of the time for 55gr bullets.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:36:13 AM »

Inquiring minds want to know, how many cases does it take to make a TON OF BRASS with the .223?

W748, H335, BL-C2, AA2230, AA2460, AA2520 are all good choices for powder dispensers without weighting each charge.

teddy12b · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:37:55 AM »

Approximately 1,700 once fired winchester pieces I just bought off of gunbroker. I think I got a pretty good deal and don't think I'll ever have to buy 223 again.

Old Syko · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2008, 05:15:25 AM »

1,700 WW.223s weigh 2,000#. I learn something new here everyday.

No wonder shipping costs are so high every time I order 10,000 pieces.

All funnin aside, H335 is probably the most often used with WC844 being its military equivalent. BTW WC844 is about half the $$$. WW748 is without a doubt the most consistent both velocity and pressure wise. Ramshot TAC is gaining quite a following due to both consistency in velocity and metering capability. TAC is proven to be less temperature sensitive than most other ball powders and works well with the heavier bullets also.

teddy12b · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2008, 05:34:48 AM »

Quote from: Old Syko on October 10, 2008, 05:15:25 AM

1,700 WW.223s weigh 2,000#. I learn something new here everyday. No wonder shipping costs are so high every time I order 10,000 pieces. All funnin aside,

I couldn't afford an actual ton (2,000#). I'm glad you picked up using the word ton referring to enough brass to possibly wear out a gun before the brass needs replaced.

I've never used WC844 and did a quick check on Midway and they didn't have it. Where do you find this powder? I'm still very open to suggestions but have read enough about the ramshot TAC to want to try out 1# of it.

Old Syko · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2008, 06:20:12 AM »

http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm

Here is just one source. A search through the stickies at the top of the handloading forum page may turn up others.

Quote

I couldn't afford an actual ton (2,000#). I'm glad you picked up using the word ton referring to enough brass to possibly wear out a gun before the brass needs replaced.

Nobody can possibly own just one .223/5.56. Can they?

A good AR virus is what you need.

teddy12b · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2008, 06:34:39 AM »

I've owned a couple 223's over the years, mostly savage bolt actions. Currently I have no 223 rifles, but I'm working on that. I'm in the process of getting all the parts and pieces around to assemble an AR. I bought a complete lower, I have a complete upper picked out, but I'm still undecided on sights or red dot or scope.

For now I'm trying to figure out decent reloading components for as little $$ as possible and that's when I happened across the deal online. It's going to take some time, but it'll all get done sooner or later.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2008, 09:12:43 AM »

You did not say how heavy the bullets are that you will be using. I assume you are talking heavier bullets > 55 grains since you are using Varget. I know what happens when you assume. I think you will find BL-C2 to be an excellent power that meters as well as any others and better than most. It's burn rate is close to W748 and I have had better luck with it than the W748. BenchMark is another powder that might work out for you, it is like Varget, but shorter cut, about like H322. If you are talking lighter bullets, I have had real good luck with VV N133 in my 223's and 50 grain bullets. It is also a short stick powder like the H322. I have not had personal experience with much else in the 223 that might even close to a well metered powder. The BL-C2 and the W748 both meter very well as they are Ball Powders. I do know that IMR 4198 is a miserable failure in a powder thrower, but works fine in my ChargeMaster. Good Luck and Good Shooting

teddy12b · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2008, 09:46:59 AM »

I appologize, I thought I mentioned that earlier. It would be a huge help to mention that I plan on shooting 55gr bullets. They tend to be the cheapest and I've read some great reviews about the Hornady 55gr soft points.

jumpsteady · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2008, 10:32:13 AM »

Anywhere from 23 to 30 grains of W748. You didn't say what you were reloading it for? Long gun or short. I recently worked up a fun to shot load for a contender. 3 grains of titegroup. It shoots right at 1000 fps. great for rodent control as it is not overly loud.

teddy12b · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2008, 10:34:00 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on October 10, 2008, 03:28:41 AM

I should have mentioned this earlier, but I plan on using this powder for 55gr. bullets, possibly the 69gr matchkings, but 99% of the time for 55gr bullets.

teddy12b · « **Reply #15 on:** October 10, 2008, 10:35:07 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on October 10, 2008, 06:34:39 AM

I'm in the process of getting all the parts and pieces around to assemble an AR.

sk330lc · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2008, 12:05:48 PM »

Don't forget AA2230 it was designed for the 5.56x45mm in the AR platform. It meters great.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2008, 06:25:01 AM »

For the 55 grain FMJ's, try 25 grains of H335. My 16" AR loves that load.

teddy12b · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2008, 07:20:23 AM »

Do any of you have problems when keeping you powder levels accurate using a powder measure? I've always read that's it's critical for accurate ammo to be within one tenth of a grain in consistancy.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2008, 09:55:35 AM »

No problems. I use a RCBS Uniflow and weigh every tenth charge. It is right on the money with boring regularity.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #20 on:** October 14, 2008, 11:03:13 AM »

Another vote for blc-2, it has served me well for years. I use a cheap lee dispencer that came with the $45 kit 20 years ago. My little heavy barrel loves it.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2008, 12:23:56 AM »

I also used a RCBS Uniflow for years and still have it. I found it throws consistent charges, as long as I keep the powder level in the magazine to relatively the same level. If I fill it and adjust the powder throw to a certain level, it changes as the powder empties out. I now fill it up about three quarters and when it gets down to about a third, I top it off again to three quarters. I get real consistent throws this way.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2008, 02:02:35 AM »

varget first followed by benchmark then 335/748 (same powder) but i use more surplus powder then anything because I bought a bunch back when it was cheap.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2008, 04:44:12 AM »

LaOtto222, I put the RCBS powder baffle in mine and that cured that problem. It made my throws with ALL my powders more consistent.

fastbike · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2008, 11:28:14 AM »

I'm happy w/ TAC as well. TAC is supposed to "like" heavier bullets, but I've load and shot about 750 rounds of 55 gr, TAC w/ no issues.

Teddy, by the way, you can send me the charge master combo. I'll be happy to pay shipping.

Quote from: 1sourdough on October 10, 2008, 02:43:02 AM

Yes H335 was THE powder for the 223. You really need to check out Ramshot TAC. Very easy to meter, like H335 but cleaner.

Steve P · « **Reply #25 on:** October 17, 2008, 09:26:40 AM »

My Dillon powder measures will dispense WW748, AA1680, AA2230, AA2460, H332, H335, BL-C2 and several other applicable ball powders all within +.1 / -0. My current .223 loads are using the WW748 and AA1680. Both loads shoot under 1" groups out of my 12" Hunter and Super 14" Contender barrels. Your Dillon will load accurate ammo if you do your part.

Good luck.

Steve

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #26 on:** October 22, 2008, 10:18:21 AM »

cwlongshot · « **Reply #27 on:** October 23, 2008, 04:00:44 AM »

I have always liked H322 for my top accuracy loads. But if I where loading progressive I would stick to one of the ball powders.

I know many of the tricks to get stick to meter better, but why fuss...ball is still smoothest and all you do is dump it in the hopper!! With all the powders available today you can quite easily find a ball that's about the same as a stick in performance. There is nothing worse then loading a pile of progressive loads and have that sick feeling when you found some powder bridging or any other questionable something happen... PEACE OF MIND is somethings overlooked...

CW

jhalcott · « **Reply #28 on:** October 23, 2008, 03:34:35 PM »

2000 pounds X 7000 grains divided by 90 grains (average weight of .223 case)= 15,555.55 NOW that is a lifetime supply! I've used a lot of 748 and h332 in my .223's

High Brass · « **Reply #29 on:** October 24, 2008, 06:59:53 AM »

I've used H-4895 and 55gr bullets with great results in accuracy and velocity. I plan on trying Ramshot TAC and 50gr Hornady V-maxes after this deer season closes.