Your opinions on best .223 powders
- Thread starter 6GUNSONLY
- Start date
I haven't seen it mentioned in this thread, but IMR 4198 at 20.5 or 21 grains, and a Hornady 55 grain bullet with canalure seated to 2.00" with a Remington 7 1/2 primer. Best hunting accuracy in my Ruger American 5.56 Ranch, and .223 compact. Both guns shoot less than MOA with this load. I have tried crimping and not crimping, and really can't tell the difference. This load shoots very well in my AR also. When I use it, I can miss 40 times instead of just one or two.
Dave
Dave
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Hayabusa1321
New member
IMO benchmark, imr8208xbr and varget cover my Gambit. Preference to 8208
I've had fantastic success - best speeds and accuracy - with Benchmark in 50 and 55 grain bullets. For 40 grain pills I've seen best accuracy with X-Terminator. I've also used H335 with 40's and 50's. Accuracy wasn't quite as good as Benchmark for the 50's, but speeds were better with the 40's and accuracy not far off from X-Terminator. I use Remington 7.5's across the board.
Foxpro.223
Well-known member
VVN133 is where it's at with light to midweight projectiles in the 40-60 grain range. Benchmark is another good option if VVN133 is unavailable. H322 is good too, but does not produce VVN133 or Benchmark velocities but may be more temp stable than VVN133. VVN133 is usually a little more expensive and a great choice if $$ is not an object.
VVN140, Varget, 8208, and ARCOMP are all good options for the heavies in the 60-80 grain range. Some do report great results with the lighter projectiles as well.
VVN140, Varget, 8208, and ARCOMP are all good options for the heavies in the 60-80 grain range. Some do report great results with the lighter projectiles as well.
coyotezapper
Member
Rem700 22" BBL 53 Vmax
8208 - Best, hands down
H4895 - Almost a good as 8208
2015 - Very good
8208 - Best, hands down
H4895 - Almost a good as 8208
2015 - Very good
When chosing a "best" powder there is an evil side to powder choices. Powders put out different ammounts of heat for the same volume
I recently became aware of how hot R#15 and Varget burn in a custom 308, 22/250 AI, and 17 Rem. I will pay great dividends in saving throat wear to choose a cool burning powder by heat index.
Of course, hunting requirements where a guy shoots 60 rounds a year are different than high volume shooting.
I saw fire cracking in my 22/250 AI in less than 100 rounds using Varget, and have since switched to AA2700. 308 Krieger was cooked by Varget, R#15, and N550 had to use special abrasive to get the carbon out of the barrel. N133 and N135 were my hunting powders in a 223 bolt guns in 223 Ai with 50g and 55g bullets, respectively...these powders are HOT! 223 bolt guns, I changed out to Benchmark with the 55g in the bolt guns at 3450 fps, and use Win 748 with 50 and 55g bullets short range coyote and colony varmints.
AA2460 and AA2520 are remarkable in 308's and 223 heavy bullets, along with many 243 mid weight bullets, they are cool burning(heat index) with a burning rate near IMR 4064.
I recently became aware of how hot R#15 and Varget burn in a custom 308, 22/250 AI, and 17 Rem. I will pay great dividends in saving throat wear to choose a cool burning powder by heat index.
Of course, hunting requirements where a guy shoots 60 rounds a year are different than high volume shooting.
I saw fire cracking in my 22/250 AI in less than 100 rounds using Varget, and have since switched to AA2700. 308 Krieger was cooked by Varget, R#15, and N550 had to use special abrasive to get the carbon out of the barrel. N133 and N135 were my hunting powders in a 223 bolt guns in 223 Ai with 50g and 55g bullets, respectively...these powders are HOT! 223 bolt guns, I changed out to Benchmark with the 55g in the bolt guns at 3450 fps, and use Win 748 with 50 and 55g bullets short range coyote and colony varmints.
AA2460 and AA2520 are remarkable in 308's and 223 heavy bullets, along with many 243 mid weight bullets, they are cool burning(heat index) with a burning rate near IMR 4064.
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coyotezapper
Member
Originally Posted By: ackleymanWhen chosing a "best" powder there is an evil side to powder choices. Powders put out different ammounts of heat for the same volume
I recently became aware of how hot R#15 and Varget burn in a custom 308, 22/250 AI, and 17 Rem. I will pay great dividends in saving throat wear to choose a cool burning powder by heat index.
Of course, hunting requirements where a guy shoots 60 rounds a year are different than high volume shooting.
I saw fire cracking in my 22/250 AI in less than 100 rounds using Varget, and have since switched to AA2700. 308 Krieger was cooked by Varget, R#15, and N550 had to use special abrasive to get the carbon out of the barrel. N133 and N135 were my hunting powders in a 223 bolt guns in 223 Ai with 50g and 55g bullets, respectively...these powders are HOT! 223 bolt guns, I changed out to Benchmark with the 55g in the bolt guns at 3450 fps, and use Win 748 with 50 and 55g bullets short range coyote and colony varmints.
AA2460 and AA2520 are remarkable in 308's and 223 heavy bullets, along with many 243 mid weight bullets, they are cool burning(heat index) with a burning rate near IMR 4064.
Heat of Explosion for powders mentioned.
Varget 4050
AA2700 3545
RL15 3990
N550 4050
N133 3630
N135 3590
Benchmark 3900
748 3840
2460 3690
2520 3700
I recently became aware of how hot R#15 and Varget burn in a custom 308, 22/250 AI, and 17 Rem. I will pay great dividends in saving throat wear to choose a cool burning powder by heat index.
Of course, hunting requirements where a guy shoots 60 rounds a year are different than high volume shooting.
I saw fire cracking in my 22/250 AI in less than 100 rounds using Varget, and have since switched to AA2700. 308 Krieger was cooked by Varget, R#15, and N550 had to use special abrasive to get the carbon out of the barrel. N133 and N135 were my hunting powders in a 223 bolt guns in 223 Ai with 50g and 55g bullets, respectively...these powders are HOT! 223 bolt guns, I changed out to Benchmark with the 55g in the bolt guns at 3450 fps, and use Win 748 with 50 and 55g bullets short range coyote and colony varmints.
AA2460 and AA2520 are remarkable in 308's and 223 heavy bullets, along with many 243 mid weight bullets, they are cool burning(heat index) with a burning rate near IMR 4064.
Heat of Explosion for powders mentioned.
Varget 4050
AA2700 3545
RL15 3990
N550 4050
N133 3630
N135 3590
Benchmark 3900
748 3840
2460 3690
2520 3700
Although my reloading experience is limited, what I have discovered is what many others have as well with the .223: it's a forgiving cartridge when it comes to finding a good load.
I've found exceptional loads with 3 different powders, and that's just 50 grain bullets. I'd say pick a powder from DiRTY DOG's list and experiment. You are bound to find a load that works with that powder. Whether or not it checks all the required boxes is up to the reloader to find out.
I've found exceptional loads with 3 different powders, and that's just 50 grain bullets. I'd say pick a powder from DiRTY DOG's list and experiment. You are bound to find a load that works with that powder. Whether or not it checks all the required boxes is up to the reloader to find out.
