Originally Posted By: psdan000I am new to reloading rifle rounds, I have reloaded pistol cartridges in the past and want to step up and make some loads for my .223. I have everything I need except the powder. What is a good all around powder for .223? There's so many out there I'm not too sure what to get. I will be loading 60 grain v-max bullets if that matters much. Thanks for the help
I would vote for ramshot TAC for good all around powder followed by ramshot exterminator..I think TAC will work best for 60 gr bullets... give good velocities and great accuracy... ball powder so meters perfectly through a powder measure .... and burn much cleaner than almost any other powders....
to me Varget gives good accuracy but lower velocities unless you are going shoot the heavy bullets (69 to 77gr)....
H335, 748, Blc2 are all very good, but TAC burns much cleaner....
Benchmark, h322 RL 10x, Accurate 2015 and 2230 are good also....
The first really accurate load (repeatable 1/2 moa) i ever developed was with AA2015. I have shot a real 5 shot one hole group with RL10x....
My favorite of all 223 powders is VV 133 .... also excellent accuracy and extra velocity.... if you can work up to 24.7 to 25.x gr of 133 with a 50 gr bullet you will be pushing 3400 to 3500 fps.... no other powder gives me this combination of velocity and accuracy with a 50 gr bullet.... but VV powders are costly $$....
all around i still would recommend TAC.... good for 40 to 77 gr bullets in 223 ....use the loads in the book or online at Ramshot.... and good velocities and accuracy with any of these bullets..... xterminator would be best if used with 60 gr and under in my opinion... my third vote for all around powder would be benchmark...