I'm still in good shape but decided it's probably time to pick up some more powder while it's still available locally.


My big 2 that I load for are 223 and 308.  I also load 243, 30/06, 300 Win and WBY mgs and a few others.  I have enough powder to handle those, mainly looking for a 223 and 308 powder and may start loading for the 6.8 too.


I've been reloading for ~40 years and was old school with powders which are not available now at this shop.  I loaded IMR 4350 in 30/06 and 243, REL22 in the Mags and 25/06, and TAC in the 223.  I do load H4895 in 308 and am in good shape with it but will buy more 308 powder.


That said, the local shop is well stocked on powders right now.


Here's what they have that I thought might fit my needs, and the price per pound and 8 pound jug.

CFE BLK 28.99  214.99

1680 28.99  209.99

H322 35.99

H335 28.99

IMR 4227 34.99

Accurate 2230 28.99

2460 28.99

2520 33.99

Lil Gun 26.99  104.99/4 LB

Longshot 26.99  104.99/4 LB

They also have other powders, most Accurate handgun powders (2, 5, 7, 9), and I saw Accurate 2200 and lots of other Accurate powders.

I've never used any of the above powders.  I do have 1# of H322 that I bought just in case I was going to start reloading 6.8.  I also don't mind buying a variety to fit my needs.

Help a brother out.

Accurate 2230 was the go to powder for .223 in the 90’s

Would use it in a heartbeat if TAC was not available

There is an old version of Accurate 2200 that came in a black bottle with a plain white label.  It is rare these days but that was a “back in the day” go to as well.

powder is not available in my area

these higher prices are probably going to be the new normal from now on

So this just came to you all of a sudden?  Maybe if you'd started this thread before March of 2020 I'd say you were on the right track, now not so much.

I’m just looking for a little guidance on powders that are locally available and which ones may fit best in to my current ammo I load for.   As I said, I haven’t used these particular powders.

I have multiple 8# jugs of my most used powders and cases of all size primers. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to stock up with more.  I’m still using TAC that I paid $8/# for but it’ll run out in the next 10k rounds or so.

Yea, I know times are different than they were 9 months ago but I’ll still be able to shoot all I want to for the next 10 years or more with what I have on hand right now.  We just don’t know what the future holds so I’ll add more to my inventory.

So back on topic. Can someone give guidance on the above listed powders that will be good for 223, 308 and possibly 6.8.  Maybe none of them are. If not, I’ll see what else I can find.   I’ve never used any of them and thought this forum might be willing to help a fellow shooter out instead of commenting on the current political situation. If I want to read about unavailable components and where to buy I’d read the other dozen threads in this forum.  So far one poster has offered any useful information.

Maybe edit your title...?

You’d get better more on topic responses.

ETA: Or order more Tac while it’s still in stock. (It’s in the tacked where to find thread)

I’d prefer to buy locally if I could to avoid shipping and haz mat.

As for editing the title, if folks would read the message instead of commenting on what they read in the title it would help. The very first line say “I’m still in good shape”, I’m just wanting to add to my supply.

25.0gr H335 with a 55gr projectile is the bee's knees

My personal experience:

H322 is an awesome stick powder in 6.8 SPC and is really good in 223 in the lighter weight bullets (55 grain and under).
53 SMK + H322 is a tack driver combo!

H335 is a really good 223 ball powder good for light 50 grain up to medium 69 grain bullets.
55 VMAX or other ballistic tip with this bullet is really good as well.

Haven't tried AA2230, but heard good things.

-ZA

Nah, I’m not asking for it to be locked. I explained what I was loading (mainly 223 and 308), listed what I use now (TAC in 223 and H4895 in 308) and since it’s not available locally I asked that of the available local powders what would be a good suggestion.

Yea, I have a stack of manuals a show dog couldn’t jump over, some going back to when I started loading in 1980 and one dated 2020.

A reloading manual gives me loads but it doesn’t give input as to what other have used and had good or bad luck with. That’s the kind of input I was looking for. Seems that 2 have enough reading comprehension to actually read the content of the message and give an answer.   You’ve made 2 derogatory remarks and not answered what I asked yet.  It would be a lot easier to type something along the lines of “I’ve had the best luck with XXX” instead of talking down to someone. I e been around for 15-20 years but the reason I don’t post a lot in this forum is I see how people are treated if their question doesn’t fit your preconceived mold of how it should be asked.

You do what you feel is necessary. If you feel you need to swing your mod hammer and lock the thread so be it. Otherwise just let folks answer the question with actual field input. That’s all I’m asking for so I don’t buy a powder I’ve never used only to find out it’s not really compatible with my needs.

I've had really good results loading .223 with H335.  Powder dispensers seem to like it and my rifles seem to function no problem with loads at the recommend starting point all the way up to my current load thats just past the middle point of recommend loading.

Which makes it such a great time to stock up!

Accurate 2230 $28.99 is good for the .223 loads.  I'd buy that if it were local to me but would consider what they other folks are saying.

I've reloaded a lot of 9mm using Accurate #5.

No one can really tell you if your rifle will like a certian powder. You just have to buy and try it. My brother has a 223 rifle that loves CFE223, and I tried it with 4 diffrent bullets in mine with no sucess.

In the times we are in, if it works in that caliber buy it and try. If it doesn't work use it for fireforming brass or plinking instead of your proven powder.

I've bought 3 H335 and 2 Tac 1lbs. And over 1000 bullets whenever I see a good deal. Sad part is the only 300 primers of WSR and 300 CCI 41s I have. Wojld like to find a box of 7 1/2s for some mk262 loads

I've never seen power locally (at least, nothing bigger than a 1 pound jug).

I'm fully stocked, though.

I am stocking:

H335 - Bulk 223 loading. It shoots good and meters great in my thrower.

Varget/Benchmark: Most of my 223 bolt gun loads like this. 50g Vmax, 52g ELDM, 53g VMax.....

H4350: 6.5 things

I have numerous pounds of all of these. I have been going to 4 different shops, on the days they get in trucks. I just found a place 1.5 hours away with a very steady supply.

---- I have also bought a few pounds of Reloader 10x, BLC-2 and CFE223 for playing around.

AA 2520 is good for 308

Its also good for .223/5.56, especially with heavier bullets.

Downside is it's a little more expensive.

Thanks for the info gents.  I'm going to pick up a pound of H335 and see how it does.  Seems to be a popular powder based on the replies so far.

Sadly this.  Checking Midway and all that is available are BP replacements

The ones in bold are what I would recommend.  The bold with the asterisk are ones I have used personally over the years.
Good Luck.  If you find them available, grab as much as they allow, and go back for more if you can afford it.  It will probably only get more expensive with the Anti-2nd Amendment administration.  They can't keep impeaching Trump forever, and will soon turn to other activities to destroy America.

There is no limit and the store has dozens of jugs of each one listed. I’m going to pick up a jug of H335 and try it in the next few days.  It’s mentioned several times. If it does what I want I’ll pick up a case to set back.  I may pick up a jug of 2230 also. I mostly load 55’s and a few 62’s and 64’s in 223.