Favorite powder for light bullets in .223? - Page 1

Armory » Reloading

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Favorite powder for light bullets in .223? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 1/17/2021 1:56:28 PM EDT

I have about 2000 50gr Sierra Blitzkings I need to load up. The only suitable powder I have on hand is some of that old Data Powder AA2230-C. I have never gotten really good accuracy from it, however, and looking for something better. Most of my AA2230-C loads with lighter match bullets have been around 1.2MOA.

Only requirement is must meter well in a Dillon measure.

Has anyone used TAC with light bullets? My sierra manual shows TAC getting the best velocity. I already use it for my 77gr stuff.

H335 has been on my short list. What else is your favorite?

Posted: 1/17/2021 2:43:04 PM EDT

[#1]

I like cf233, my most accurate load for 55gr & 60gr

Posted: 1/17/2021 3:03:05 PM EDT

[#2]

Out of my savage bolt gun I got seriously good accuracy with 45, 50, 52 grain bullets with Alliant Varmint. However, I have not seen it available in a good long while. Alliant 1200-R is very good too and often over looked. Hodgdon powders, if I was chasing speed CFE 223, but the most accurate was H335 and BL-C2.

Posted: 1/17/2021 3:36:22 PM EDT

[#3]

I've had very accurate results in my 50 gr V-Max prairie dog loads with CFE223.
But these days you just might have to take what you can get for powder...

Posted: 1/17/2021 4:05:17 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've had very accurate results in my 50 gr V-Max prairie dog loads with CFE223.
But these days you just might have to take what you can get for powder...

View Quote

I'm more of a buy once and stock up kind of person, so I don't mind waiting until this is over to get a lot. I just want to have it picked out so when I find it I can jump on it. I have plenty of other 223 powders to keep me shooting in the meantime (2230C, Varget, TAC)

Posted: 1/17/2021 4:55:38 PM EDT

[#5]

If you already have H-335 you don't need to buy anything else for loading 55-grain ammo.

Posted: 1/17/2021 5:07:41 PM EDT

[#6]

BLC2, and

RE-15 for 52 gr Sierra MK's. AeroE's accuracy load. (one of the other mods here)

Posted: 1/17/2021 5:09:28 PM EDT

[#7]

I like Benchmark and H322 for light .223.

Posted: 1/17/2021 5:40:10 PM EDT

[#8]

Great suggestions here. My 100 yard match load is a near max load of H4895 behind the Berger 52 grain flat base target bullet in Lapua Match cases, Fed GMM primers. It's a coarse extruded powder that must be thrown a little light and dribbled the last few tenths., but accuracy is phenomenal - sub 1/2 MOA in a precision rifle.

Obviously does not meter well. I've come close with LT-32 and Benchmark, both of which meter much better, but H4895 has been the best in that barrel.

Posted: 1/17/2021 7:04:40 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Has anyone used TAC with light bullets?

View Quote

Yes. Was not impressed.

Trying to find some CFE 223.

Posted: 1/17/2021 8:21:09 PM EDT

[#10]

I’m new to reloading but I loaded up 26.5 grains of blc2 with a 50gr Vmax and got sub moa groups from a 16” ruger bolt action.

Posted: 1/17/2021 9:10:22 PM EDT

[#11]

24gr of Benchmark is what you seek. Been using it for years and it isn't terrible to find these days.

Posted: 1/17/2021 11:32:32 PM EDT

[#12]

For lighter bullets I have had good results with H335, H322, Reloder 7, and Reloder 15.

Don’t know how well H322, RL7, or RL15 will meter through a Dillion measure though (I use a Lee Auto-drum without any issue with any of these powders). I don’t think you’d have any issues with H335 metering through a Dillon.

Posted: 1/17/2021 11:37:20 PM EDT

[#13]

I run LT32 for 50's. Very happy with it.

Posted: 1/18/2021 12:22:39 AM EDT

[#14]

H335 & BLC-(2)

Posted: 1/18/2021 12:28:31 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
For lighter bullets I have had good results with H335, H322, Reloder 7, and Reloder 15.

Don't know how well H322, RL7, or RL15 will meter through a Dillion measure though (I use a Lee Auto-drum without any issue with any of these powders). I don't think you'd have any issues with H335 metering through a Dillon.

View Quote

I have no trouble with Re-15 and my tuned Dillon PM. + or - .1gr.

Posted: 1/18/2021 12:34:39 AM EDT

[#16]

H335

Posted: 1/18/2021 12:37:46 AM EDT

[#17]

I got a 223 bolt gun a few months ago and have loaded 50g Vmax, 52g ELDM and 53g VMax.

I tried H335, BLC2, Benchmark, Varget and CFE223.

Benchmark and Varget did the best.

I am currently loading a bunch of 52 gr ELDMs with 23.5g of Benchmark. They are hammers in my gun.

The winds were really blowing in Kansas today. I was holding 5 mils at 700 yards.

Posted: 1/18/2021 12:58:33 AM EDT

[#18]

H335 for 55-62gr, CFE223 for anything heavier.

Posted: 1/18/2021 9:45:18 PM EDT

[#19]

I've tried a lot of powders for 55gr vmax loads, 335, 748, TAC, Varmint, Benchmark, probably 1 or 2 others I'm forgetting.

IMR XBR 8208 blew them all away, I load for several AR's and it's the top performer in all rifles.

Posted: 1/19/2021 6:38:11 AM EDT

[#20]

Benchmark, CFE223, IMR8208BR

Posted: 1/19/2021 6:44:18 AM EDT

[#21]

Rl15 and vargay

Posted: 1/19/2021 11:07:56 AM EDT

[#22]

40 years ago I went through many of the powders mentioned above.

Best groups were with IMR4198 (no idea how it meters in a dillon powder measure - had to be weighed after going through the old Lyman 55B). But the groups with 45 grain varmint bullets in my M700 varmint special were worth it.

Keep in mind, different rifles are different. What shoots well in mine may not do as well in yours.

I said that because at the time, with the M700 I did not get the accuracy I wanted with BLC2. Come forward in time 25 years and I ran across a box of the old 45 grain varmint bullets loaded with BLC2 left over from my trials/tests in 1980/81. I had my vARmint rifle (AR15 with a 24 inch bull barrel with a one turn in 10" barrel - weird twist but I couldn't find a 1 turn in 12" barrel like I wanted for light weight bullets). Took those old reloads to the range and got the smallest 25 yd. groups I've ever fired with a rifle. Made me go out and buy more BLC2 and it has become my second favorite powder (after IMR4198) for 55 grain FMJBT bullets in my AR15's.

BLC2 meters very well through my RCBS Uniflow. I scale check 1 of every 10 charges and on days I've loaded up to 400 rounds with BLC2 I've never had one scale check more than +\- 0.1 grain off the target weight.

Good luck. When you find "that load" don't stop. When you see a lb. of another suitable powder, buy it, test it, keep at that till you find 2 or 3 good powders that give you the results you want. That way you have options if your "favorite" powder is difficult to find/buy. And, don't wait till you need powder to order it. Order it when you see it at a good price. It's not going to go bad sitting on your shelf waiting on you to use it. The last few years I've used up several 1 lb. cans of powder I bought back in the early 80's. No issues.

Posted: 1/19/2021 11:14:34 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
40 years ago I went through many of the powders mentioned above.

Best groups were with IMR4198 (no idea how it meters in a dillon powder measure - had to be weighed after going through the old Lyman 55B). But the groups with 45 grain varmint bullets in my M700 varmint special were worth it.

Keep in mind, different rifles are different. What shoots well in mine may not do as well in yours.

I said that because at the time, with the M700 I did not get the accuracy I wanted with BLC2. Come forward in time 25 years and I ran across a box of the old 45 grain varmint bullets loaded with BLC2 left over from my trials/tests in 1980/81. I had my vARmint rifle (AR15 with a 24 inch bull barrel with a one turn in 10" barrel - weird twist but I couldn't find a 1 turn in 12" barrel like I wanted for light weight bullets). Took those old reloads to the range and got the smallest 25 yd. groups I've ever fired with a rifle. Made me go out and buy more BLC2 and it has become my second favorite powder (after IMR4198) for 55 grain FMJBT bullets in my AR15's.

BLC2 meters very well through my RCBS Uniflow. I scale check 1 of every 10 charges and on days I've loaded up to 400 rounds with BLC2 I've never had one scale check more than +\- 0.1 grain off the target weight.

Good luck. When you find "that load" don't stop. When you see a lb. of another suitable powder, buy it, test it, keep at that till you find 2 or 3 good powders that give you the results you want. That way you have options if your "favorite" powder is difficult to find/buy. And, don't wait till you need powder to order it. Order it when you see it at a good price. It's not going to go bad sitting on your shelf waiting on you to use it. The last few years I've used up several 1 lb. cans of powder I bought back in the early 80's. No issues.

View Quote

IMR 4198 produced excellent results for me as well, and is my preferred powder for 55gr .223 loads. It uses less powder so a pound goes further, and makes for a very accurate, low recoiling load. Unfortunately though, once I got my 550, it flat-out did not meter. Some cases it barely drop a few grains, other cases it would overflow the entire case.

I have since switched to H335, and have had great results with it. Meters dead nuts every time, and shoots very well. Another benefit is that 8# jugs were pretty easy to come by when things weren't crazy.

Posted: 1/19/2021 1:13:58 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
I like Benchmark and H322 for light .223.

View Quote

Yep, plus LT32 and Reloder 7

Posted: 1/19/2021 1:29:07 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

I'm more of a buy once and stock up kind of person, so I don't mind waiting until this is over to get a lot. I just want to have it picked out so when I find it I can jump on it. I have plenty of other 223 powders to keep me shooting in the meantime (2230C, Varget, TAC)

View Quote

26 gr of TAC with a Nosler Ballistic rip was a favorite load of gun writer John Barsness

Posted: 1/19/2021 3:40:56 PM EDT

[#26]

Reloder10x has been great for 50-60gr bullets for me. I use it for 52gr SMKs and 55gr FMJ and SPs for the most part

Posted: 1/20/2021 11:52:03 PM EDT

[#27]

H335. Or, if willing to tinker a bit outside normally posted data, WC844 is very similar powder and could be found cheaper before the panic. Not sure on availability now but bought 32lb in april for 400 shipped.

Posted: 1/21/2021 11:25:48 PM EDT

[#28]

I use 25 gr TAC under a 55 FBHP for sage rats. Load thousands at at time on a progressive press, and shoot thousands at rats. Meters great, clean enough, and very accurate out of my AR and Rem 700.

Posted: 1/22/2021 10:34:24 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use 25 gr TAC under a 55 FBHP for sage rats. Load thousands at at time on a progressive press, and shoot thousands at rats. Meters great, clean enough, and very accurate out of my AR and Rem 700.

View Quote

26.3gr is the magic number for me to make full power loads in mixed brass.

50-55gr bullets, any flavor, seated to book value.

25.9gr for the 55gr vmax though. Sweet spot for accuracy and powder burn.

Posted: 1/22/2021 12:21:43 PM EDT

[#30]

I use BLC-2 or Varget. Both work equally as well.

Posted: 1/22/2021 3:31:15 PM EDT

[#31]

IMR XBR 8208 for me with 50 and 55 grain bullets, was the best.

Posted: 2/11/2021 1:09:18 PM EDT

[#32]

Got me some XBR. Let the games begin.

Posted: 2/11/2021 1:16:21 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Got me some XBR. Let the games begin.

View Quote

I'd like to eventually get my hands on some of that. I'm sitting on 8lbs of CFE223 right now, so I'll probably be using that for a bit.

Posted: 2/11/2021 2:34:50 PM EDT

[#34]

For a dedicated loading session with 50 to 53 grain bullets in .223 I would try the following:

H322
H4198
Vihtavuori N133

Other powders that work:

AA-2015
LT-30
LT-32
RE-10X
RE-7

Posted: 2/11/2021 3:01:07 PM EDT

[#35]

I've always had really good results using IMR 4198 with 50-55gr bullets out of 223/5.56. My dad used to load it for his 222 using 50gr Blitz bullets that were tack drivers & made prairie dogs & gophers go airborne.

Posted: 2/11/2021 3:13:51 PM EDT

[#36]

I've had good luck with light bullets (52 SMK's) and W844 (surplus equivalent to H355) and 748,

Posted: 2/11/2021 9:38:27 PM EDT

[#37]

Benchmark
8208 XBR
RL-15

Posted: 2/12/2021 3:50:26 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
I like cf233, my most accurate load for 55gr & 60gr

View Quote

I just started playing with CFE223. So far, I am impressed. It meters well and groups well.

Posted: 2/14/2021 10:08:55 AM EDT

[#39]

In my experience.... with Blitzkings, light SMKs and Vmax bullets... these are by far the best I’ve used:
8208XBR
H322

XBR was also awesome with heavy SMK’s!

ZA

Posted: 2/14/2021 10:41:23 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
In my experience.... with Blitzkings, light SMKs and Vmax bullets... these are by far the best I’ve used:
8208XBR
H322

XBR was also awesome with heavy SMK’s!

ZA

View Quote

I have been reading about success with heavy SMK's. I use TAC for that now on a progressive. I have no problem switching to XBR if it performs better. I am a little curious how XBR will meter in a Dillon measure, as it is extruded. I never got Varget or any extruded powder to measure well in them.

Posted: 2/14/2021 12:01:46 PM EDT

[#41]

XBR 8208 has been the powder to beat with 77-80 gr bullets. Velocities have been good as well.

Posted: 2/14/2021 1:37:40 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have been reading about success with heavy SMK's. I use TAC for that now on a progressive. I have no problem switching to XBR if it performs better. I am a little curious how XBR will meter in a Dillon measure, as it is extruded. I never got Varget or any extruded powder to measure well in them.

View Quote

With good technique, IMR-8208 XBR meters + or - .1 gr through a Dillon PM.

That short cut extruded makes a huge difference over long cut Varget.

Posted: 2/15/2021 1:37:32 AM EDT

[#43]

W748 and 55gr are a mighty happy couple from my experience.

Posted: 2/15/2021 5:23:30 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have been reading about success with heavy SMK's. I use TAC for that now on a progressive. I have no problem switching to XBR if it performs better. I am a little curious how XBR will meter in a Dillon measure, as it is extruded. I never got Varget or any extruded powder to measure well in them.

View Quote

I use a TON of Tac, love it. I have over 20 lbs of it!

I use the XBR and H322 for more precision loads. XBR is probably my favorite powder.
H322 is great b/c it's also one of the best for 6.8SPC, which I also reload for.

I found that XBR is smaller than VARGET and meters better through my Hornady powder measure. I think H322 and XBR are about the same size kernels, both smaller than VARGET.

-ZA

Posted: 2/15/2021 5:43:07 PM EDT

[#45]

If you have TAC run with it. The Older Western Powder Data had 223 data using CCI 450 primers now IIRC the suggest WSR. And, I found good results with the 55 Ballistic tip and runs great through a Dillon Measure TAC and 450's were a good combo.

Back in the day the 222 Rem / H322 was the powder to use for BR loads.
And, I had very good luck with H322 and 52gr HPBT Sierras out of Rem XP100 chambered in 223.

Posted: 2/17/2021 10:30:07 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Great suggestions here. My 100 yard match load is a near max load of H4895 behind the Berger 52 grain flat base target bullet in Lapua Match cases, Fed GMM primers. It's a coarse extruded powder that must be thrown a little light and dribbled the last few tenths., but accuracy is phenomenal - sub 1/2 MOA in a precision rifle.

Obviously does not meter well. I've come close with LT-32 and Benchmark, both of which meter much better, but H4895 has been the best in that barrel.

View Quote

Sadly, I agree.

H4895 is a great precision powder for 223, but doesnt meter all that well. I load with it on my Chargemaster and CoAx in batches of 100 or so.

CFE223 has been close, but not quite there.

Posted: 2/17/2021 11:21:33 PM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
I like Benchmark and H322 for light .223.

View Quote

My choices exactly.

Posted: 2/18/2021 1:27:52 AM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have been reading about success with heavy SMK's. I use TAC for that now on a progressive. I have no problem switching to XBR if it performs better. I am a little curious how XBR will meter in a Dillon measure, as it is extruded. I never got Varget or any extruded powder to measure well in them.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
In my experience.... with Blitzkings, light SMKs and Vmax bullets... these are by far the best I’ve used:
8208XBR
H322

XBR was also awesome with heavy SMK’s!

ZA

I have been reading about success with heavy SMK's. I use TAC for that now on a progressive. I have no problem switching to XBR if it performs better. I am a little curious how XBR will meter in a Dillon measure, as it is extruded. I never got Varget or any extruded powder to measure well in them.

XBR is a fantastic .223 powder. I get good loads with it in lighter bullets and some great loads with 69 and 77 gr BTHP. Varget is also very good for accuracy but metering can be a pain.

BL-C2 and CFE223 are also excellent powders for 55-77 gr loads. Rarely the absolute most accurate in any bullet weight for me, but always a very close second over a wide range of bullets. H335 is one of my best at 62-69 gr but never got good results at 77 gr.

If I could have only one powder for .223 it would likely be XBR, but would be content with BLC2 or CFE as well. Lots of fine powders to choose from. Pretty much any powder in the 4198-4064 burn range will produce very good results.