Author Topic: powder choices for .223 (Read 1282 times)

darkroomdan · « **on:** February 06, 2007, 10:19:37 AM »

Plan to start reloading .223 (for a bb handirifle) - am thinking of using 55 grain sp bullet (they're cheap) was wondering what most folks like as a powder choice - in the reloading manuals H335 and Win 748 seem to be good choices - anyone have suggestions or preferences?
Thanks,
DRD

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2007, 10:24:35 AM »

I use lots of H4895 and IMR 4895 in my 223 handi with the 55gr. bullets , they both work very well , some have found that Varget also works well .

stimpy

KN · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2007, 12:00:56 PM »

+1 on the H-335. KN

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2007, 12:08:57 PM »

Bought some H335 last month but haven't tried it out yet in .223. BL-C(2) has worked well for me in .223 Rem with 50 and 55 grain bullets. Varget shoots well, but in Remington brass, I can't get near the max loads of powder in the case. Other case brands appear to have more capacty than the R-P brass I've got.

GregP42 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2007, 12:15:26 PM »

I have been having good luck with H4198 and IMR4895.

Greg

BCB · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2007, 12:23:28 PM »

H-335...I have used four 8-pound kegs of it in the past dozen years in my T/C Contender in 223 Remington cartridge, and I am now working on my 5th keg. I also use WC-844 which is the surplus "equivilent" of H-335. My lot is a tad slower, but still does very well. Good-luck...BCB

bigjeepman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2007, 12:39:06 PM »

Varget and H-335 are my two best powders with 50 and 55 gr bullets. Also tried H4198 and it was good.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2007, 04:32:40 PM »

H-335. Just bought a keg of AA2230 which is 'posed to be real good. Haven't really tried it yet.

darkroomdan · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2007, 12:33:30 AM »

Thanks for all the great replies - looks like H335 is a favorite so it should be a good one to try first - besides, it's one the Gander Mt. in my area actually keeps in stock

Thanks again,
DRD

MnMike · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2007, 04:35:22 PM »

Varget works best for me, but each gun is different. I am shooting a Contender 14" and mostly use 50 gr. so what I like may not work in a Handi.

mike

AZ223 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2007, 04:55:09 PM »

Varget works well in the Handirifle .223; good velocity at lower pressures. H335 is accurate with smaller (40gr) bullets, but not at higher velocity loads. As the pressure goes up in a Handi, cases start to stick and cleaning won't help - the cases swell and that's that. Others may have had better luck, but that's how it's been with me. Even so, the accuracy is excellent.

OTOH, if your Handi has the extractor and not the ejector, it may be a moot point because the rifle with definitely handle the pressure.

Good luck!

1sourdough · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2007, 12:28:42 AM »

H 335 has been a long time favorite. I also have H4895 & Varget that I have used. I recently got some Ramshot TAC that has a burn rate close to H 335 but is supposed to be a lot cleaner.

bobg · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2007, 07:50:59 AM »

Don't overlook IMR 3031. This has been one of the best powders in my 222, 223, 225,and my 22-250.

dw06 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2007, 09:10:54 AM »

Quote from: bobg on February 08, 2007, 07:50:59 AM

Don't overlook IMR 3031. This has been one of the best powders in my 222, 223, 225,and my 22-250.

+1,I've went through a couple 8lb cans of 3031 in the above cartridges except the 225.Also use it in the 308 using 125-150gr bullets.

alsaqr · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2007, 12:12:54 PM »

BobG and GW06, you are very right about IMR 3031. This is a powder that is very often overlooked. My .223 rifles love the stuff. i use it almost exclusively in .223 and .308. Also use IMR 3031 in .30-06 with bullets of 150 grains and lighter.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2007, 03:48:45 PM »

somewhere around 26 grains of Varget always seems to work in .223's i have loaded for...

-Matt

Wingman26 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2007, 05:14:29 PM »

H335 and 748 are favored by a lot of people, other good ones are AA2230, AA2460 and AA2520. Varget and H4895 are favored by some people but extruded powders just don't meter that well.

This one worked pretty good for me, this is 5 shots at 100 yards.

PaulS · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2007, 12:40:42 AM »

H335, WW748, and AA2230 are powders that were designed for the military 5,56 round and are also a good match for the 223. Of those powders my favorite is the H335. I produces good velocities and accuracy. I don't think you can ask for any more. There are powders that are as accurate - H4895 comes to mind - but you don't have the velocity. This round was developed with double base powders and with easy metering and good pressure to velocity ratios it is sensless in my mind to use anything else.

dw06 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:51:04 AM »

Quote from: PaulS on February 14, 2007, 12:40:42 AM

H335, WW748, and AA2230 are powders that were designed for the military 5,56 round and are also a good match for the 223. Of those powders my favorite is the H335. I produces good velocities and accuracy. I don't think you can ask for any more. There are powders that are as accurate - H4895 comes to mind - but you don't have the velocity. This round was developed with double base powders and with easy metering and good pressure to velocity ratios it is sensless in my mind to use anything else.

Sorry you think its "sensless" to use anything but double base powders in the 223.All the powders you mention are fine powders,and I agree they meter well if needed for high volume reloading.I weigh each load so not a big deal to me.Now looking in my 5th edition nosler manual,you said "H4895 don't have the velocity",Don't know how you came up with that,as top load of 25.5grs is 3178fps,while youre h335 is 25grs is 3140fps.I know you said H4895 but it only has IMR 4895 listed.Also IMR 4198 at 21.5grs & IMR 3031 at 24.5grs both give 3170fps,all of these with 55gr bullets.So I'd say the stick powders do pretty well.Now like I said,if metering through a powder mesure is important then I agree your're choices are better.

teddy12b · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2007, 07:11:58 AM »

My vote goes for Varget. Haven't tried anything else though, didn't need to either.

Lone Star · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:10:37 AM »

Senseless....kinda reminds me of comments that certain cartridges are "senseless" to own....

Hodgdon's site clearly shows that their extruded powders can outperform their spherical powders in the .223 with 55-grain bullets. I personally prefer small-grained powders in my .223s (except for the BlueDot I use in my T/Cs) but there are no flys on the stick powders performance-wise. Their temperature stability lends them to make more "sense" in areas with large temperature variations. But to each his own....let's not get too bent out of shape and force the moderators to lock the thread (as has happened several times recently).

Outcast · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2007, 09:59:40 AM »

I've never had any luck using the usual suspects - 335,BlC 2,W748- in my AR's. AA 2520 gave me best accuracy results using 55gr. Horn V Max. Perhaps this should be posted in the 'strange occurences' forum.