Powder options for 556

[Jonny2guns]

I found a load I like for my Ruger American rancher in 556, Speer 55gr SP over 26.5gr Varget. I haven't seen Varget available for for a while and would like to find something similar before I'm out. What other powders are similar?

 

[Y-T71]

There are many, many powders suitable for. 223/5.56.
Extruded like Varget include IMR 8208XBR, 4064, 3031, Re15, Benchmark etc.

Popular ball powders include Ramshot TAC, Hodgdon H355, 322, BLC-(2) Accurate 2230 Win 748.

It's up to you to gather up proper references, make your own decisions on propellants (biggest factors these days for many people are simple; cost and availability) and test by working up properly.

If you're asking for specific "recipes" most people have a favorite/"pet" load but would all agree that you're going to have to do the leg work yourself.

Personally, I've used Win 748 mostly over the years but have had my best luck with TAC (but rarely available locally for me) and worst luck with a pull-down, surplus powder WC844 (definitely required magnum primer because of constant hangfires and said to be equivalent of the commercial powder H355)

I've also recently picked up a quantity of 8208XBR that I've never used before and am looking forward to working up loads.

Good luck!

*Edit* spelling and some additional comments.

 

[wcwhitey]

I have had good luck with 3031 in my Remington 700 52 through 69 grain bullets. I have seen it pop up a few times. A good second choice powder.

 

[redcon1]

Per Hodgdon-55 gr load data

• Benchmark
• BL-C(2)
• H322
• H335
• H4198
• H4895
• IMR 3031
• IMR 4064
• IMR 4198
• IMR 4320
• IMR 4895
• IMR 8208 XBR
• Varget

Per Hornady 9th edition 55 gr load data, there's also:

1. CFE 223
2. Power pro Varmint
3. VIHT N-140
4. WIN 748
5. Norma 201
6. AR-COMP
7. Benchmark
8. Accurate 2460
9. TAC
10. VIHT N-135
11. VIHT N-133
12. Alliant RL-10X

Per Lee Modern Reloading, There's also:

1. Reloader 15
2. Accurate 2015BR
3. Accurate 2495BR
4. Reloader 12
5. Accurate 2520
6. VIHT N-130
7. Accurate 2230
8. VIHT N-120
9. H414
10. H380
11. Reloader 7
12. Accurate 1680
13. IMR 4227
14. SR4759
15. HERC 2400-with decreased velocity
16. IMR 4350-with decreased velocity
17. IMR 4831-with decreased velocity

 

[bigpower491]

Varget or H335 work outstanding for me in all types of rifles in this caliber

 

[Y-T71]

Varget or H335 work outstanding for me in all types of rifles in this caliber

Yeah, H335 is, without a doubt, one of the most popular propellents especially for "ligher" 52-55 GR bullets.

OP was looking for something similar to Varget which H335 is not, being a faster burning ball powder.

Re15 would be a good powder to try; being an extruded powder in the same burn rate range but, availability and cost may present a problem.

If a ball powder is acceptable, 748, BL-C(2) and CFE 223 might be worth a shot.

For my money Ramshot TAC is a great powder: temp stable (somewhat rare for a ball powder), clean and usually the least expensive.

 

[Laphroaig]

Re15 would be a good powder to try

I bought a 5# jug during the last Varget shortage. I didn't really use it much until recently. My results with heavier (75-80 gr.) bullets have been outstanding. I think that it meters slightly better than Varget and it is temp stable also.

 

[Otto]

What other powders are similar?

Shooters World Precision is as close as you’re going to get to Varget.

 

[bullseye308]

What I have helped others with is asking them what they can find locally and checking to see if what they find works. Failing that, make a list of what you would like to use and just be persistent checking websites for availability and grab it as you see it.

 

[AJC1]

If your going for a hail Mary, the new reloader 15.5 would offer a lot of the same properties. Much more likely to find the sw precision.

 

[Slamfire]

You could fill a shopping cart with all the different powders that shoot well in the 223. Varget is outstanding. Anything in the IMR/H4895 burn rate is outstanding. Let me recommend, H4895.

 

[ParallelCode]

I like Ramshot TAC in 223/5.56

 

[Hondo 60]

I use Varget too.
My backup is RL15

 

[IALoder]

For 55gr I really like Benchmark, AA2230/X-Terminator, SW AR Plus, TAC. All are a bit faster than Varget, but do very well.

 

[Jonny2guns]

There are many, many powders suitable for. 223/5.56.
Extruded like Varget include IMR 8208XBR, 4064, 3031, Re15, Benchmark etc.

Popular ball powders include Ramshot TAC, Hodgdon H355, 322, BLC-(2) Accurate 2230 Win 748.

It's up to you to gather up proper references, make your own decisions on propellants (biggest factors these days for many people are simple; cost and availability) and test by working up properly.

If you're asking for specific "recipes" most people have a favorite/"pet" load but would all agree that you're going to have to do the leg work yourself.

Personally, I've used Win 748 mostly over the years but have had my best luck with TAC (but rarely available locally for me) and worst luck with a pull-down, surplus powder WC844 (definitely required magnum primer because of constant hangfires and said to be equivalent of the commercial powder H355)

I've also recently picked up a quantity of 8208XBR that I've never used before and am looking forward to working up loads.

Good luck!

*Edit* spelling and some additional comments.

Not looking for recipes, just asking about powders with similar caricaturistics as Varget. I will work up my own loads once I compare my loading manuals.

 

[Jonny2guns]

I have had good luck with 3031 in my Remington 700 52 through 69 grain bullets. I have seen it pop up a few times. A good second choice powder.

I have some 3031 and I know where there is an 8lb keg for sale.

 

[ballman6711]

I like IMR 3031 with 55gr bullets.

chris

 

[wcwhitey]

this is 14 1/2 TC Contender data I used. Sierra manual. I used standard SRP. Shot great in my 700 SPS.

 

[Dudedog]

I have only used a limited number of powders in 5.56/223
but my favorites are TAC (meters great), BLC(2) [also meters great}, XBR8208, H335
BLC(2) is probably closet to Varget in burn rate of the ones I have listed.

 

[twarr1]

Ramshot TAC. There are MANY propellants that work well in 223/5.56 depending on barrel length, bullet weight, use case, etc.

 

[cfullgraf]

You could fill a shopping cart with all the different powders that shoot well in the 223. Varget is outstanding. Anything in the IMR/H4895 burn rate is outstanding. Let me recommend, H4895.

Slamfire pretty much covered it.

My favorite powder for 55 gr bullets in 5,56 is Accurate 2230. For heavy bullets, Varget is my choice.

But I’ve used H4895 and W748 and I know there are lots of other powders than can be used with success.

 

[sisyphus]

TAC because it does well in both 223 and 308
same reason I use Alliant 2400, it works for all my magnum handgun cartridges and it makes life easier having to buy fewer powders

 

[Blue68f100]

TAC is my 1st choice when it comes to the lighter pills. 2nd choice would be CFE-223. I prefer Varget for my heavier loads.

Lots of powders work. The problem these days if finding a good supply.

 

[GONRA]

GONRA's HOWA
AR-180 won't take ball powders - chamber is "too tight".
One tiny unburned powder grain (BALL) twixt case and chamber TIGHTLY
jams up a chambering round.
Gotta really WACK bolt carrier handle to clear the jam!
(Something to be avoided with AR-180's.).

No idea if others have this "too tight chamber" problem.....

Extruded IMR-3031 powder solves the problem.

 

[Jackiesman]

If I could only have one powder it would be 8208XBR. it’s the most versatile for my guns, flows good, gives good accuracy. The only drawback that I have is that I can’t find it since the crunch. When I last checked varget was available so I may try that.