Powder Choices for 223 Bolt Gun

[roc1]

What are good powders for the 223? I have a Remington bolt action I want to load for. I have on hand now Varget,H4895,H4831,H380,IMR4064,H4350. i load for several calibers but just got a 223. I have heard good things about Benchmark and BL-C2 but have no experience with either.
Thanks
roc1

 

[rcmodel]

Varget, H4895, H4831, H380, IMR4064, H4350

All but H-4831 & H-380 are usable in the .223.

Depending on bullet weight, I'd probably lean toward Varget, H-4895, or IMR-4064.
But I use WW-748 ball powder and have since 1970, so what do I know!

I'd suggest you decide on a bullet weight you want to use, then look at your reloading manual and pick the best performing of your powder choices.

rc

 

[gearjammer-2000]

I was using BLC-2 for some .308 loads I was working up and decided to try it with .223 and quickly found I liked it a lot, more than that my ar liked it!
so I started buying BL-C in 8 lb cans,it sure saves me money being able to load my two favorite calibers with the same powder.
Going to get a .223 bolt gun this spring and am hoping it likes it too.

 

[Glock20]

There are so many powders that perform well in .223. In my Weatherby Vanguard 1-12" I've had good luck with -

W-748
BLC-2
H-335
H-322
RL-10
RL-15
Varget

I usually load 55gr Nosler BT's, Hornady V-max and Midway's DogTown bullets and all the powders listed above with all bullets shown are capable of well under 1" MOA.

I will be testing more, but initial tests have shown for my loads - rifle both RL powders performing best at 200 yards.

There is almost no end to load development for the .223, but that is what makes it interesting....

 

[greyling22]

which remington? my 799 is a 1 hole gun with varget and a 50 grn bullet. 55 doesn't work so well. I've barely used TAC, but I've been impressed so far.

 

[Slamfire]

I know a lot of target shooters who are using Varget. My recollection was that 24.5 grains of Varget worked well with 69's, 77's, and 80's.

H4895 is in the same burn rate at IMR 4895 and anything with the burn rate of IMR 4895 is going to work very well in the .223. This includes AA2495. This is accurate arms copy of IMR 4895, but stupidly they named it different and confuse everyone.

IMR 4064 will work well but won't throw worth a flip and you will get powder bridging.

I am curious to know why RC recommended H4350. I have never tried it in the223 figuring that it was just too slow.

 

[unwise11]

Varget is what I use for .308 and .223

 

[TexasShooter59]

TAC has done well so far. Will experiment with others later.

 

[Exposure]

My Remington 700 chambered in .223 has produced stellar groups using Benchmark.

Other powders that have worked very well:

Win 748
IMR 3031
Varget
IMR 4064


My rifle has a 1:12 twist barrel and the 52 grain SMK's loaded over Benchmark are nothing short of amazing.

 

[minnesota]

Benchmark is my number 1 choice for the 50 grain bullets out of the 223 rem.

 

[Hangingrock]

R-15

 

[wanderinwalker]

What bullet weights do you want to throw?

For .223, I like powders this way:

<60gr bullets: Winchester 748

>60gr bullets: Varget, RL-15, H4895

I'm sure there are other powders that work, but these are what I have tried and liked, so I stick with them. Mostly 748 and Varget. I have "backup" data for RL-15 if I am in a pinch and run out of Varget at a bad time (*cough* before Vermont State Championships last year *cough* ). I haven't played with H4895 in .223 in a couple of seasons, though I remember it did shoot well, just left the cases sooty.

 

[cfullgraf]

Also Accurate 2230.

 

[788Ham]

I use Varget, BLC-2, Win. 748, load only 52 and 53 grain Hornady pills.

 

[Bullet]

You might look here -

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223rembolt.pdf

 

[jcwit]

Check out your barrel rate of twist, 1 in 12 or 14 use a light bullet ie; 52 53 grain, if you have a fastwer twist like 1 in 9" use a heavier bullet ie 55 or 56 grain.
I have a Rem 700 vls with a 1 in 12 twist and use a 53 grain Seirra Match King flat base with 22 1/2 grains of 2230.

 

[roc1]

I have thought about H335,Benchmark and BL-C2. I wanted to try different ones. I have Varget and H4895 already. Just wanted to try some different powders but want good results and not be stuck with something I can not use.
Thanks
roc1

 

[FROGO207]

Thanks to Midway having Tac on sale a while ago I got 5 Lbs to try out. Now I find that it is the best 223 and 55 GR bullet combo that I have tried so far. It is as accurate as I can be in my Ranch rifles, bolts, and Handi Rifle. Should'a bought 40 Lbs when I could have for cheap.:banghead:

 

[p5200]

The first and only powder I've tried so far in my Savage 10fp .223 has been Varget. Along with 55gr. Hornady V-Max it shot so well I haven't tried any of the other powders I have on hand yet.

 

[Byron]

Agree with RC on 748.I use the Hornady Manual #3 data and Speer #10. Byron

 

[rklessdriver]

I'm using IMR 4064 and 60gr Serria HP's. The max charge is a compressed load and a VERY accurate load for me.

BTW I weight each charge and hand charge the cases with a funnel. Your NOT going to be doing any high volume/progressive reloading with 4064.

It shoots sub MOA groups out of my Weatherby Vanguard and my AR which is CMMG M4orgery (16" 1/9 barrel).
Will

 

[788Ham]

Glock20,

I see on your comments about using Midway's Dog Town bullets, are they really that good? I've almost ordered them several times, just wondering, so I don't end up with bullets that aren't worth the powder. Thanks.

 

[greyling22]

dogtown has always worked well for me. they're what I pair with the varget for the 1 hole groups.

 

[cfullgraf]

My 17 Remington rifles did not like the 20 grain, 17 caliber Dog Town bullets, but I will attribute that to the rifles.

I have had good luck with Dog Town .224 diameter bullets.

 

[ROCKMAN 308]

I use 748 and varget for 223/308 748 for hunting loads and varget for best accuracy