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Posted: 9/18/2012 2:54:13 PM EDT
[#1]
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Posted: 9/18/2012 2:56:22 PM EDT
[#2]
H-335 is good stuff, I also like Accurate 2230. I've been using WC-844. It's surplus powder comparable to the H-335. You can order it for as little as about $80/8lb keg. I've actually gotten very good accuracy from it too.
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Posted: 9/18/2012 2:58:05 PM EDT
[#3]
Your friend is correct. H-335 (Hodgdon 335) is an excellent ball powder for the .223 as is W-748 (Winchester 748) or BL-C2. There are a few others too. If you into gun shows and such you may find some surplus WC-846 or WC-844.
The WC-844 is similar to H-335. The WC-846 is similar to BL-C2 One added note. The Speer loading manual recomends using a magnum primer with ball powders. I have used it both with and without the magnum primer and have gotten good results. For regular full power (as in not low end or lite) loads I recommend the CCI 450 magnum primer or the Mil-Spec primer. Which IIRC is the CCI #41. |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 2:59:18 PM EDT
[#4]
I bought quite a bit of AA2230 back when it was on sale and it has been my go-to powder for plinker .223 for quite a while.. It's dwindling now though.
Recently, I picked up a couple of jugs of WC844 for use in my plinker rounds. I use whichever powder is most economical when I need it (before I need it), and buy in as big a quantity as I can afford.
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Posted: 9/18/2012 3:14:57 PM EDT
[#5]
I use win-748, I keep the loads semi mild as it is a temperature sensitive powder.
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Posted: 9/18/2012 3:16:13 PM EDT
[#6]
TAC
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Posted: 9/18/2012 4:15:18 PM EDT
[#7]
TAC . . .
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Posted: 9/18/2012 4:21:34 PM EDT
[#8]
TAC as well. Meters like water through the 550b.
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Posted: 9/18/2012 4:21:48 PM EDT
[#9]
All of the above are great for .223/5.56 and I use most of them myself...for the price and versatility it's hard to beat TAC though. If I had to pick one that's the one I'd use.
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Posted: 9/18/2012 4:34:03 PM EDT
[#10]
Part of the enjoyment (for me anyway) is the ability to experiment with different components until I find one that I like. With only minor cost (purchase one pound containers of various powders) and shooting, you can come to your own conclusions. I use the Lee reloading book for powder/component work up but there are other good documents out there (most for free via the various producer web sites). The key (I think) is the final product you are looking for and to that end, you have to be the user (or shooter).
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Posted: 9/18/2012 4:41:19 PM EDT
[#11]
I switch up between H335,Tac and Ball C lot2 because each one gives me nitch loads that I have developed with the different bullet weights that i use (40 - 77).
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Posted: 9/18/2012 5:32:19 PM EDT
[#12]
Listed in order of my preference, CFE 223, Tac, AA-2230, H-335.
All are good ball powders for 223.
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Posted: 9/18/2012 5:53:13 PM EDT
[#13]
I have used CFE223, H-335, and BLC-2 with great results
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Posted: 9/18/2012 6:19:35 PM EDT
[#14]
H335 is what I like
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Posted: 9/18/2012 6:50:17 PM EDT
[#15]
another vote on H335
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Posted: 9/18/2012 6:57:32 PM EDT
[#16]
Agree with the hive...
335 is a great starting point that will take you a long way. TAC is also very easy to PM. |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 8:04:57 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
TAC |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 8:41:33 PM EDT
[#18]
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Posted: 9/18/2012 9:13:36 PM EDT
[#19]
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Posted: 9/18/2012 9:17:03 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
So, I am getting ready to load 223 for the first time and I need to decide on a powder. What do you recommend to begin with? I'm looking for a ball type powder so it measures better through my PM. My friend suggests H335, but I'm not sure what type of powder that is and I want to hear what you guys use. I'm agnostic on ball vs. stick, but Speer always uses magnum primers in their load data, when using ball powders. Not saying that that's the only way to skin a cat, but just keep it in mind. Chris |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 9:25:32 PM EDT
[#21]
Using a 55 gr Hornady ZMax bullet with CCI 41 primers and 25.3 grains of H335 powder, seated to 2.233 has been a good accurate load for me. I have a 1 in 9 twist 16" barrel.
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Posted: 9/18/2012 11:05:57 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Quoted:
So, I am getting ready to load 223 for the first time and I need to decide on a powder. What do you recommend to begin with? I'm looking for a ball type powder so it measures better through my PM. My friend suggests H335, but I'm not sure what type of powder that is and I want to hear what you guys use. I'm agnostic on ball vs. stick, but Speer always uses magnum primers in their load data, when using ball powders. Not saying that that's the only way to skin a cat, but just keep it in mind. Chris which is not necessary in most cases....and they are the only one that does that |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 3:36:20 AM EDT
[#23]
CFE 223 is my favorite ball powder. I've gotten much better results with it than H335. YMMV.
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Posted: 9/19/2012 3:54:13 AM EDT
[#24]
For blasting ammo I've been burning through WC-844 with some pretty decent results. I've been wanting to try the CFE-223 for some accuracy loads, but have been focusing on bigger cartridges recently.
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Posted: 9/19/2012 4:39:15 AM EDT
[#25]
Quoted:
Your friend is correct. H-335 (Hodgdon 335) is an excellent ball powder for the .223 as is W-748 (Winchester 748) or BL-C2. There are a few others too. If you into gun shows and such you may find some surplus WC-846 or WC-844. The WC-844 is similar to H-335. The WC-846 is similar to BL-C2 One added note. The Speer loading manual recomends using a magnum primer with ball powders. I have used it both with and without the magnum primer and have gotten good results. For regular full power (as in not low end or lite) loads I recommend the CCI 450 magnum primer or the Mil-Spec primer. Which IIRC is the CCI #41. Surplus WC844 with the CCI #41 primer is what I'm using now. |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 5:14:05 AM EDT
[#26]
goldeneye if your on the east side of misery stop in at HiTech for some wc844
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Posted: 9/19/2012 6:46:27 AM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
Listed in order of my preference, CFE 223, Tac, AA-2230, H-335. All are good ball powders for 223. I love the suggestions like: "Well since I have only used ONE powder, H335, I recommend that because my load 'worked.' OK I guess." 
Our mod obviously compared several powders & posted a used list of his preference. Companies introduce NEW powders to offer IMPROVEMENTS over existing powders. H335 is the oldest powder suggested; you might heed the mod's advice & try the latest generation of 223 appropriate powder: CFE. You can play around with vintage powders later. |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 7:16:01 AM EDT
[#28]
Quoted:
Listed in order of my preference, CFE 223, Tac, AA-2230, H-335. All are good ball powders for 223. Pretty much this BLC-2 also |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 7:38:03 AM EDT
[#29]
55 & 62 grn mil-spec bullets: H335
used for regular shooting in carbine. 68grn Hornady bullets: TAC used for higher precision |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 8:33:42 AM EDT
[#30]
For 223, I mostly use Varget. When I do use a ball powder, I use thrown charges of TAC.
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Posted: 9/19/2012 11:18:32 AM EDT
[#31]
I've used AA2520, Win748 and WC844 (pulldown).
The first 2 have produced good results with bullets up to 75 grs out of a 20" bbl. I've used the 2520 with 80 gr bullets as well. The last showed some pressure signs and is probably a little fast for the heavier bullets but does just fine with 55s and 62s. |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 12:28:01 PM EDT
[#32]
Win 748 has worked well for me in several different rifles.
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Posted: 9/19/2012 3:28:27 PM EDT
[#33]
AA2460
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Posted: 9/19/2012 4:12:50 PM EDT
[#34]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
So, I am getting ready to load 223 for the first time and I need to decide on a powder. What do you recommend to begin with? I'm looking for a ball type powder so it measures better through my PM. My friend suggests H335, but I'm not sure what type of powder that is and I want to hear what you guys use. I'm agnostic on ball vs. stick, but Speer always uses magnum primers in their load data, when using ball powders. Not saying that that's the only way to skin a cat, but just keep it in mind. Chris which is not necessary in most cases....and they are the only one that does that I'm not saying it is necessary, or it isn't and neither should you. I'm just pointing that out, as Speer is a big player and has been so for decades. I think they have a clue, backed up by data, if not a differing opinion on whether it's "necessary" or not. People use pistol primers in their rifle ammo and get bangs, but that small sample size doesn't mean it's the best practice for everybody else. There can be a few reasons to work up loads using a magnum primer with ball powders, in rifle carts. Chris |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 5:34:44 PM EDT
[#35]
Benchmark pushing a 55 gr Blitzking. H335 is to temp sensitive for me.
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Posted: 9/19/2012 9:37:27 PM EDT
[#36]
Quoted:
Quoted:
So, I am getting ready to load 223 for the first time and I need to decide on a powder. What do you recommend to begin with? I'm looking for a ball type powder so it measures better through my PM. My friend suggests H335, but I'm not sure what type of powder that is and I want to hear what you guys use. I'm agnostic on ball vs. stick, but Speer always uses magnum primers in their load data, when using ball powders. Not saying that that's the only way to skin a cat, but just keep it in mind. Chris I think the reason Speer makes such a recomendation is that ball powders can be hard to ignite at low ambient temperatures. If the ammunition might be used at low temperatures, for example a hunting expediton around 0ºF, magnum primers would probably be a good idea. |
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Posted: 9/20/2012 1:06:46 AM EDT
[#37]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
So, I am getting ready to load 223 for the first time and I need to decide on a powder. What do you recommend to begin with? I'm looking for a ball type powder so it measures better through my PM. My friend suggests H335, but I'm not sure what type of powder that is and I want to hear what you guys use. I'm agnostic on ball vs. stick, but Speer always uses magnum primers in their load data, when using ball powders. Not saying that that's the only way to skin a cat, but just keep it in mind. Chris I think the reason Speer makes such a recomendation is that ball powders can be hard to ignite at low ambient temperatures. If the ammunition might be used at low temperatures, for example a hunting expediton around 0ºF, magnum primers would probably be a good idea. exactly, and Speer states that in the text of their manuals. |
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Posted: 9/20/2012 3:16:45 AM EDT
[#38]
I use tac, h335 and aa2520.
i working on 2520the the most. I have gotten some sub-moa with it at 100yds 77gr. Smk's |
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