FAVORITE 223 POWDER????
- Thread starter HOOVY
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Dultimatpredator
Well-known member
Benchmark is your friend. My LTR shoots .3” 200 yard groups with 27 grains and 40 grain NBTs and my POF shoots .3” 200 yards groups with 25 grains of benchmark and a 60 grain vmax. My LTR shoots the same 60 grain load almost as tight. The powder manufactures must know it’s the goto powder because they have it marked up more than any powder at cabelas and the LGS’s.
I’d have to check but I think my other tight grouping powder is 25.5 grains of H4895. I believe the H4895 shot just as tight of a group in the LTR and POF with 60 grain Vmax. I’m sure if you look through my old posts I had data listed with groups .
Buy a can of each and ladder test with both powders.
I’d have to check but I think my other tight grouping powder is 25.5 grains of H4895. I believe the H4895 shot just as tight of a group in the LTR and POF with 60 grain Vmax. I’m sure if you look through my old posts I had data listed with groups .
Buy a can of each and ladder test with both powders.
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Rock Knocker
Active member
I would say it depends on the bullet you're shooting and the weather conditions you're in.
H335 and CFE223 are great for 223 but they're temp sensitive if you're splitting hairs. Varget is temp stable and great for heavier 60+gr bullets, Benchmark is temp stable and great for 60gr and less bullets.
Typically ball powders will get you higher velocity, stick powders will give you a more stable load.
And that's just part of what Hodgdons offers for 223... Ramshot Tac I hear a lot of guys like but I havent tried it.
H335 and CFE223 are great for 223 but they're temp sensitive if you're splitting hairs. Varget is temp stable and great for heavier 60+gr bullets, Benchmark is temp stable and great for 60gr and less bullets.
Typically ball powders will get you higher velocity, stick powders will give you a more stable load.
And that's just part of what Hodgdons offers for 223... Ramshot Tac I hear a lot of guys like but I havent tried it.
Old school 3031 has worked well for me for a long time 40 yrs, but it doesn't meter well so it is just used for specialty stuff. If I have a gun that doesn't seem to want to shoot it will usually shoot with 3031 and it is very versatile, I use it in everything from 222 to 9.3x72R.
New stuff 2230 and Benchmark, 2230 goes through the measure like liquid and is great for bulk loading as does 748. Benchmark meters well as it is a short stick powder, I usually use this for accuracy loads and dump/trickle for target loads.
New stuff 2230 and Benchmark, 2230 goes through the measure like liquid and is great for bulk loading as does 748. Benchmark meters well as it is a short stick powder, I usually use this for accuracy loads and dump/trickle for target loads.
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Dultimatpredator
Well-known member
My LTR loads were with Remington 223 brass and my POF were 5.56 lake city brass. I full length sized the 5.56 LC brass in my RCBS 223 die before using so they are at 223 Dimensions.
I need to shoot these safe queens again some day. The last time my POF got exercise was in AZ on 9 yotes on my last vacation to the desert a few years back. About three days after I shot the above groups. I in stalled a steel KDW base one my LTR last summer and re sighted it in and re tested the same 40 grain load with NBTs vs the discontinued combined technology coated ones. They grouped the same and now I can QR between night vision and my leupold target optic on it.
I picked up a RCBC charge lite fluted trickle charger last year. Boy, does that save time and extremely accurate to boot.
I need to shoot these safe queens again some day. The last time my POF got exercise was in AZ on 9 yotes on my last vacation to the desert a few years back. About three days after I shot the above groups. I in stalled a steel KDW base one my LTR last summer and re sighted it in and re tested the same 40 grain load with NBTs vs the discontinued combined technology coated ones. They grouped the same and now I can QR between night vision and my leupold target optic on it.
I picked up a RCBC charge lite fluted trickle charger last year. Boy, does that save time and extremely accurate to boot.
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Hellgate
Member
I've used W748 and H335 for over 30 years in my bolt gun (Rem 788 in .223 Rem) shooting cloverleafs @100yds using 40, 50 & 60gr SPs, HPs, V-Maxs, & B Tips. Lately I have discovered Benchmark & H4895 for the 60-62 gr V-Max & Varmageddon in the AR.
As to metering: I don't bother to weigh 748, 335, & Benchmark. Once I get a good load established I set the Redding powder measure and load up. I'm torn on weighing H4895. It is a very fine, needle-thin stick powder that meters much better than the usual stick powders like 4350 or 4831 that I use for bigger bores.
As to metering: I don't bother to weigh 748, 335, & Benchmark. Once I get a good load established I set the Redding powder measure and load up. I'm torn on weighing H4895. It is a very fine, needle-thin stick powder that meters much better than the usual stick powders like 4350 or 4831 that I use for bigger bores.
Originally Posted By: HellgateOnce I get a good load established I set the Redding powder measure and load up. I'm torn on weighing H4895. It is a very fine, needle-thin stick powder that meters much better than the usual stick powders like 4350 or 4831 that I use for bigger bores.
+1^^^ May be a bit more critical in smaller cases, but I did not weight charges for match .308 & 30-06 size cases loaded w/H4895 once the "optimum" charge was determined for each rifle. There will be one or more plateaus in a ladder test where minor variance in load will have little or no effect on POI. The Dillon powder measures would handle H4895 within + or minus .1 gr. and that was good enough in the larger cases.
Regards,
hm
+1^^^ May be a bit more critical in smaller cases, but I did not weight charges for match .308 & 30-06 size cases loaded w/H4895 once the "optimum" charge was determined for each rifle. There will be one or more plateaus in a ladder test where minor variance in load will have little or no effect on POI. The Dillon powder measures would handle H4895 within + or minus .1 gr. and that was good enough in the larger cases.
Regards,
hm
1100 Remington Man
New member
I have only used H335 and V-133 but I did pick up some Benchmark I plan on trying soon.
Bouncer
New member
I have and use several different powders but I think my favorite is probably Alliant RL7; but there are so many good ones to choose from! RL7 gives me acceptable velocity and exceptional accuracy in all of my 223's. I also like TAC, AA2230, Benchmark, RL10X, and Varget is good for heavy bullets. I normally shoot lighter bullets (52/53 gr) so I lean towards the faster powders. I've started experimenting with other ball powders though as they go through the powder measure so well compared to stick powders.
spotstalkshoot
Well-known member
Bullet weight and powder burn rate by caliber/cartridge go hand in hand. Don't spend much time and components fighting physics.
spotstalkshoot
Well-known member
Bullet weight matters only in that the twist rate of the rifle barrel needs to properly stabilize the bullet. Velocity of the bullet plays apart in bullet stability also.