.223 powder choice....

[Flatlander.54]

What powders are you guys getting best accuracy with for your .223's? Was thinking of trying H4895 or Varget. Any opinions would be appreciated, thanks.

[Special Ed]

I've used H322 in all of my .223's for almost 20 years now. Works great in my Contender as well as my varmint rifle.
But I'm also the type of person that doesn't mess with a load once I'm happy with it.

Ed

[Old Syko]

In rifle length barrels 748, 335, and 2230 for 55gr. or lighter slugs and 4895 for the heavier stuff.

In pistol length barrels, 10" and 14" with 55gr. or lighter 322 has surpassed everything for me.

With 748, 335, and 322 I use CCI450 primers and nonmag primers with the other powders mentioned.

[sjf]

I have a couple 223's, a 16" contender and a 24" Cooper. They have both shown similar preferences for powders. H4895 and Benchmark have always been standouts for Velocity and accuracy. Other good powders have been H4198, H322, X-Terminator

Lately though I have been using TAC, I have found it to give great accuracy and even a little more velocity than Benchmark. But I have found that it definitely prefers CCI 450 primers, I was not real impressed with the accuracy of it until I tried the mag primers, now it is my go to powder for 223, flows great through a powder measure, clean burning, temp stable. Economical- about 3 dollars a pound cheaper around here.

[Slufoot]

My 14" Contender prefers AA-2230 with the 50 grain Nosler BT or IMR-4895 with the 55 grain Remington PLHP.

I have a couple of friends that have 14" 223 Contenders, one shoots H-322 with 50 grain Nosler BT's and the other shoots W-748 with 50 grain Sierra Blitz Kings.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[Old Syko]

sjf;  You may be correct about the Ramshot TAC.  Just started experimenting with it in the last year and have discovered some really good points for it.  I agree that it is a waste of time using anything but a CCI450 primer.  It is also less temperature sensitive than other ball powders.  Loads I chronoed at 96* this summer showed  very little change this winter at 10*.  Seems to work quite well with all bullet weights.

[MnMike]

Varget is a good choice for my 14" Contender, 4895 not so good. Your results may be different.

good luck,

mike

[SD Handgunner]

I have used IMR-4198, H-4198, W-748, H-322, H-335, AA 2230, Benchmark and more recently H-4895. My current Super 14 .223 just loves H-4895 behind a 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip in Military LC Brass with Remington # 7 1/2 Primers. Average Velocity is 2820, and accuracy has been great. A few weeks ago I shot 6 or 7 - 3 shot groups from the bench at 100 yards with this load. The largest group measured 1/2", and the smallest measured just under 1/4".

Larry

[David D.]

My last 223 liked Varget.

[sculbert1]

I've been using BLC-2 in all of my .223 loading here lately.  I've been really impressed with the accuracy that it has shown.  Anyone else using it?

[Davemuzz]

I've been using BLC-2 in all of my .223 loading here lately.  I've been really impressed with the accuracy that it has shown.  Anyone else using it?

It took me over a month of powder\bullet combo's to finally get to BL-C2 and Nosler 40 grain BT's. When I finally shot that combo, I can shoot a 3 shot group that makes a cloverleaf at 100 yards.

Dave

[nilescoyote]

I use h4895, varget and h335 and so others that don't come to mind at the moment.

Ive seen that the powder preference changes depending on bullet weight in most of my 223 rifles/barrels. Plus if you are shooting a short barrel hand gun say 10" switching to a faster burning powder will tame down that muzzle BLAST. Making it much more enjoyable.

[Flatlander.54]

Thanks for the input fellas, my rig is a SS Contender w/14" bbl and factory brake. The barrel deffinately has potential, Winchester factory ammo is printing 3/4" groups so I think it would be worth buyin some dies for it and findin out what it really likes to eat.

[rks1949]

I've used IMR 4198 mostly in my Super 14  223 barrel. Gets the best accuracy,and velocity.748 shoots well also,but most of it makes a big fireball out the brake. The gun is painfully loud with this powder. Ron   

[Flatlander.54]

 Well, all the local shop had was Varget so I started with 24.0 gr. of Varget with Hornady 52 gr. BT A-Max bullets. Wow, barrel deffinately has potential with this load...4 shots went into .385 (.161 ctc) then of course I had to pull shot number 5 out of the group and open it up to 1", figures.    Still have some experimenting to do but its deffintely on the right track I would say.

[skarke]

As many have said, H322 is a great, very consistent performer at pistol length barrels over a wide temperature range.  Good stuff.  BR primers seem to help a little, maybe .1 to .2 inches with Sierra 53s, the boat tails aren't quite as accurate for me out of pistols.

[rks1949]

Well, all the local shop had was Varget so I started with 24.0 gr. of Varget with Hornady 52 gr. BT A-Max bullets. Wow, barrel deffinately has potential with this load...4 shots went into .385 (.161 ctc) then of course I had to pull shot number 5 out of the group and open it up to 1", figures.    Still have some experimenting to do but its deffintely on the right track I would say. It sure sounds like it! I can't seem to get Varget to work well in my gun,the Benchmarh is another story though. Super accurate,and extreemy consistant. Ron

[Flatlander.54]

I'll have to give the H322 a try. The only thing I dont like so far about the Varget is that the powder charge varies quite a bit from my drum measure. To compensate I just backed the load down several tenths and use a powder trickler to nail the charge weight. I have some other loads worked up with Varget and I found a load for H380, which I have a little on hand, will try them out this weekend if I get a chance.