Best Powders for the .223 Rem.?

[dovehunter]

While we're on the subject of loading for my new .223 Rem., I was wondering about powders. I first tried IMR 3031 based on a review of all my loading manuals and the fact that I had some on hand that I have been using for my .30-30 BA. I loaded it behind Sierra's 52 gr. HPBT bullets that have given spectacular accuracy in my .225 Win. Over the range of charge weights I tried I was getting 5-shot groups of 1-2" at 100-yds. Not that great when you consider I was getting 3/4" groups using Federal's Premium factory loads which used essentially the same bullet: Sierra's 55 gr. HPBT Game King.

A trip back to the loading manuals suggested that Hodgdon's Benchmark or Varget powders may be good choices for the .223. I was a little concerned anyway when I noticed even the starting loads for IMR 3031 needed to be compressed. I've never been that wild about using compressed loads though I know it is common practice. It appears that Varget loads would also be compressed.

What do you guys think? Should I try one of the other powders I mentioned or maybe some other brand and/or weight of bullet? I'd kind of like to hear from someone having experience loading for the .223 if possible. I'd like to keep the "trial by dollar" working up of a good handload to a minimum if I can.

[toxic111]

So far with mine I got the best results with Varget. (65g Sierra game kings .9" 5 shot group)

I am still playing with mine, but it is hard to find any bullets up here for it.

[Rocky Raab]

It would a whole lot simpler to post a list of powders that are NOT good in the 223!

Earlier, my two "go-to" loads were 24.0 H322 or 27.0 W748 under any good 50-gr bullet. Both are still great, but my powder choices have changed to Benchmark and Ramshot TAC. Data for both available online.

Any extruded powder near H322 is superb. Those include AA2015, RL-10X, Benchmark, and VVN130 or 133. If you can still find any, the old RL-12 was wonderful.

Spherical powders include BLC(2), W748, TAC, X-Terminator, AA2230, and H335.

IMR3031 is the right burn rate, but the kernels are just too large and bulky to work well in such a small case - as you've found. If they ever came out with a "short cut" version, there would be resounding cheers.

[dovehunter]

Since my original post I have gone back to my manuals and did some more reading. I noticed in the Hodgdon manual that H335 was originally developed expressly for use in the .223 (or rather its military counterpart the 5.56 mm). It's also a ball powder which will make it easier to measure than coarse, extruded powders like the IMR series. I liked the looks of Benchmark and Varget but they are also extruded powders like IMR-3031. And Rocky, you sure are right about the coarse, cylindrical powders not doing all that well in the tiny .223 case. Since I can't really justify buying 3 more different powders, I think I'll take a chance on buying a can of H335 next and giving it a try. Working up a new load is fun but can be a bit frustrating at times.

[Catfish]

What Rocky said, you would go broke tring all the powders that are good in the .223. The 55 gr Sierra BTHP is a very accurate bullet, but does not expand well at .223 velocities at longer ranges, 150 yrds. or so. Should work on coyote, but the Sierra Blitz bullets are better for groundhog ect.

[Ol` Joe]

True Benchmark is extruded but is so short and small it flows like ball through a powder measure. It works great in my 223s, a M70 and M1885 Hi Wall with 55gr down bullet wgts. Varget does very well with 55 gr and up for me along with W748.

[sdkid]

I'm going to try Hornady 55 grain SP, with Hogdon H414 at 28.5 grains. Any thoughts?
________
SexxyMolly

[Jack]

Sdkid, I suspect you'll find H414 too slow. You will run into compressed loads before you reach maximum.
Save the H414 for 22-250's and 220 Swifts, where H414 is a great choice.

[Rocky Raab]

Yup, H414/W760 (same powder) is WAY too slow for the 223. Even H380 is past the line.

H335 is a standard powder for the 223, but I don't use it for two reasons. I have "blown" only two cartridges in my entire 50+ years of reloading, and one of them was a below-maximum load of H335 in a 223. The gun was hot, and the first round from a fresh batch of reloads locked the bolt and blew debris out of the action. Had to beat the bolt open, then had to beat the fired case out of the bolt. Primer was completely gone, and there was now a BELT swaged into the brass. That takes an enormous amount of pressure, folks - likely over 80,000 psi.

I also discovered that H335 leaves an almost ceramic-hard fouling deep in the rifling grooves. You can NOT see it without a borescope, but it is in there. I got it all out, finally, and no other powder I tried left anything like it - except H-335.

Two strikes is all it took for me. No more H335 in use around here.

[dovehunter]

Rocky:

Wow, you sure burst my bubble on H-335. I guess I'll steer clear of it.

You did include Hodgdon's Benchmark among your recommendations and my loading manuals certainly do suggest it would be a good powder. Apparently a lot of folks are using Hodgdon's Varget for the .223. It would also appear to be a good powder. Between those two - Benchmark and Varget - which would you recommend? I would prefer not to have to buy a shopping cart full of different powders to try if I don't have to. Thanks!

[270man]

Dovehunter,

When I got my first bolt action 223, I used Hodgdon BLC2 almost exclusively since I had a large supply. When that ran out I picked up a big supply of Hodgdon H335 and have been using it ever since. Never had any pressure problems with it like Rocky mentioned. However, I will take a close look at my barrel to see if there is any unusual fouling there. Accuracy hasn't changed in many years, so any potential fouling isn't opening up my groups.

Other powders I've tried -- with comments:

H322 -- meters well but nothing special
H4198 -- doesn't meter well and performance inferior to H335
H4895 -- good performance but doesn't beat H335
Varget -- recommended by Hodgdon tech guy, but good loads filled cases too full and I spilled powder without very careful handling.

Like you, I don't like compressed loads unless they really deliver greatly improved performance (velocity and accuracy).

Remember that the above comments apply to my rifles only. What's best for them may not work for you.

270man

[270man]

Dovehunter,

I noticed in your initial post that you reload for the 225 Winchester. If you are interested I have a large quantity of brass for sale. Here's what I have:

1000 ea, new 225 Win cases (500/bag), unprimed
120 ea, new 225 Win cases, 6-boxes (20/box), unprimed
40 ea, new 225 Win cases, 2-boxes (20/box), primed
38 ea, newer (1x-fired?) 225 Win cases

If interested, send me an email at jsivley2@cox.net

Thanks,

270man

[Joe Boleo]

I have been using IMR4895 and like it in my bolt guns and ARs. I picked up some IMR4198 and plan to give it a try. There are a lot of possibilities and I am just getting started. Take care...
Joe

[Rocky Raab]

Dovehunter, Benchmark is indeed very good in the 223 with bullets up to 55 grains or so. My experience with Varget is that it is too slow for bullets less than 55 grains. Guys who love Varget are often also shooting those heavy bullets in fast-twist barrels - for which it is about right in burn rate.

I'm settled on 50 grains, more or less, as the perfect bullet weight for standard-twist .223 rifles. In that range, Benchmark, H322, AA2015 and RL-10X are perfect extruded powders. If you prefer sphericals, AA2230, W748 and Ramshot TAC are great. I'm a convert to TAC from the other two, because it is SO clean burning you never need to clean even on a long prairie dog day - and afterwards, it's a two-patch job. Honest.

[Ridge Runner]

benchmark, H335, H322, varget for the 68's on up.
RR