.223 Powder

[moosehunt]

Gents, after 45 years of loading, I'll be adding .223 Rem. What powder(s) do you prefer in this cartridge. Looks to me like IMR 4320 and Hodgden H335 are pretty hard to beat, with maybeso a preference toward H335 because it is ball and meters easily. I've been at this long enough to understand the test/experiment route, but some experienced preferences would be appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

H335, because it is ball powder.

But, all I have ever used in the .223 since 1970 is WW748, and I have been perfectly happy with it.

rcmodel

 

[627PCFan]

H322 and Blc2, minimum charges of both-

 

[Walkalong]

H335 or W748 would be hard to beat for overall ease of metering and accuracy with numerous bullets. Othe powders work of course, but those two are hard to beat. I have used a lot of surplus ball powder for blasting ammo because it was cheap, but it isn't nearly as good as H335.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr. Moose -
Let me second H335 and H332 as metering and shooting very well. H335 seems to have more listed loads in the various manuals and the larger following.

Let me point out that 223 loads are very different between AR and bolt action rifles. If your RLM doesn't differentiate between them, then you should pick up a new manual. May I suggest Lyman or Sierra.

Happy loading.

 

[moosehunt]

Hah! In 45 years of loading for something over 20 different cartridges, and I shoot a lot, I've never owned a manual. I use friends, powder manuals (free), and the internet. Thanks for the input, gents.

 

[sublimaze41]

I use AA2230 for mass loading in the AR.... meters well and inexpensive.

I really get great accuracy with H322 from my bolt guns.

 

[Ky Larry]

AA-2230 and AA-2460. I've shot 335 and IMR-4320 but the AA powders give me the best accuracy. YMMV.

 

[NCsmitty]

I use H322 in my 14" 223 T. Contender, and it will shoot better than I can hold at times.
There are several good powders that will do the job in the 223, with selection based on the weight of the bullet used.

NCsmitty

 

[redw7blue]

h335 with cci450 primers.

 

[Canuck-IL]

H335 for 62gr and under, RL15 or AA2460 for heavier bullets.
/Bryan

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I like RL15 in 223 myself...clean, accurate, and its gives good velocity.