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Best all-around powder for reloading 223

max2005max2005 Member Posts: 96 ✭✭
edited November 2011 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
Gents:

I always get good info here on basic reloading questions; have been saving 223 brass for some time, and have thousands of cases ready to go. Jut got a great deal on .224 55 gr bullets, and decided it's time to feed my AR-15 with some home-rolled loadings.

Now, I do a lot of handgun reloading and basically it's hard to beat Unique for all-around use; my questin is, what is a good, economical all-around powder for loading the 223 Rem?

Thanks Gents!
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Comments

  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All around? 4895. edit: ????? For loading lighter you may want to go with AA2015 or AA4064
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,176 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't forget how well it meters. Win 748 is probably a good bet for the 223. I lean towards IMR 4198 but the powder's about as long as a Q tip and I do bolt and single shot mostly. Too lazy to chase my AR brass.
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  • BHAVINBHAVIN Member Posts: 3,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have loaded a ton of powders for .223 and my favorite is Hodgdon H335 the military uses this in 55g loads as WCC844. IT shoots well in every .223 I have tried it in and it meters great. Some of the other powders don't.
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  • Laredo LeftyLaredo Lefty Member Posts: 13,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have loaded thousands of rounds of .223/5.56 with Hogden H335. It meters well and is consistent.
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  • 375H&H375H&H Member Posts: 1,544 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    another vote for H-335 , but I would not have a problem with win 748 either for an AR rifle.

    In a good bolt rifle I have been getting really good results with 25.5 gr's of " Benchmark " under a 55 gr Nosler Bal. Tip.
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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,088 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've loaded a lot of 223 with Xterminator with good results. Currently loading with WCC844 pull down powder. Very consistent metering and good accuaracy.
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  • USN_AirdaleUSN_Airdale Member Posts: 2,987 ✭
    edited November -1
    have you done an internet search for "reloading .223 Rem/5.56mm NATO" ? here is a site that may help:

    http://www.223reloads.com/home/223-5-56-info/223-5-56-reloading/55gr-reload-info

    my first choice is Ramshot TAC, followed by Hodgdon's BLC-2.

    BLC-2 is a slower burning powder, both meter well and have given good results.
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  • SoreShoulderSoreShoulder Member Posts: 3,148 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't even own a 223 anymore but I have read that Ramshot Tac has a decoppering agent. All the ball powders of the right speed are probably pretty good. I used 335 and it was great. But this fact tips the scales pretty heavily in favor of TAC.
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,370 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use Hodgden BLC-2.I put about 500 rounds through the AR yesterday.I broke the rifle down to clean it this morning and all it took was a little wiping down.BLC-2 is a good,accurate,clean burning powder.
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  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    WW 748, AA2015, BLC-2 and H335.
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BLC-2, H-335, AA-2230 are my 223 go to powders.
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  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I will second the AA 2230, I've had great results with it.
    W.D.
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  • WinMikeWinMike Member Posts: 144 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "3rd" the 2230 in 35-55 gr. bullets. But I shoot .223, not 5.56.
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  • B17-P51B17-P51 Member Posts: 2,248 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    AA2230 for me too. About 24 gr for fun stuff with 55 gr pill.
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  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I did some research about 9 months ago (here, other web sites, and reloading manuals) and settled on on h335 and W748. Both meter well.

    I'm still trying to develop the most accurate load and am experimenting with bullet weights and primer/powder combinations. However, I like the powder choices.
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  • lksmith03lksmith03 Member Posts: 1,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcs shooters
    BLC-2, H-335, AA-2230 are my 223 go to powders.

    H-322 ain't bad either
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    I use mainly BLC2 and H335, or the military surplus equivalent of them (WC 846 and 844). After trying a lot of powders I find that in MY guns they shoot the best, but really there is no one 'best;' you have to find out what works for you. All of the above are good choices.

    4895 is a good second but it doesn't meter as well and sometimes chokes and is hard to get into the case mouth.
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  • mondmond Member Posts: 6,458
    edited November -1
    Dont you guys have VihitaVuori, 133 in 223 is magical.


    http://www.lapua.com/upload/downloads/brochures/2011/vihtavuorireloadingguideed9eng.pdf
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  • WinMikeWinMike Member Posts: 144 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dont you guys have VihitaVuori.....

    Mond, when I run out of the 8 lbs of A2230, 2 lbs of A2460, 1 lb H4227, 1 lb W748, 5 lbs IMR3031, 1 lb BL-(C)2 (and that's just for the .223), I'll try some VV 133!

    I think most of us have more powder than we really need.....[:I]
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  • B17-P51B17-P51 Member Posts: 2,248 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by WinMike
    Dont you guys have VihitaVuori.....

    Mond, when I run out of the 8 lbs of A2230, 2 lbs of A2460, 1 lb H4227, 1 lb W748, 5 lbs IMR3031, 1 lb BL-(C)2 (and that's just for the .223), I'll try some VV 133!

    I think most of us have more powder than we really need.....[:I]

    Winmike .....if you sold all of the powder you have you might be able to afford a pound of VV[:0]
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  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hasn't anyone tried out the new Alliant AR-COMP powder? It's supposedly "specially designed" for .223 and .308.

    I'd be interested in seeing how it does.
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,440 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another vote for TAC. It gives top velocity, you don't need to clean for hundreds of rounds, it measures like water, and it costs less.

    Hodgdon just introduced a powder called CFE 223. The letters stand for Copper Fouling Eraser, and the intended use is obviously the .223 Rem. It seems to be nearly a clone of TAC, although made by a different factory.

    I haven't tried it, and intend to stick with TAC.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What about VARGET?
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  • WinMikeWinMike Member Posts: 144 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've used....and shot Varget, and it's a fine powder. I also use it for 30-30.
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,440 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Varget is actually a bit too slow for the 223 until bullet weight gets past 55 grains. It is accurate with lighter bullets, but won't give best velocities.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • mondmond Member Posts: 6,458
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by B17-P51
    quote:Originally posted by WinMike
    Dont you guys have VihitaVuori.....

    Mond, when I run out of the 8 lbs of A2230, 2 lbs of A2460, 1 lb H4227, 1 lb W748, 5 lbs IMR3031, 1 lb BL-(C)2 (and that's just for the .223), I'll try some VV 133!

    I think most of us have more powder than we really need.....[:I]

    Winmike .....if you sold all of the powder you have you might be able to afford a pound of VV[:0]


    Hey it aint that pricey , i buy it [:D] a kilo/2.2 lb ?70/ $100
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