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Posted: 2/23/2019 6:58:24 PM EDT
[#1]
55 grain flat based bullet with 21.8 grs IMR 4198 .
It is more work to load due to being an extruded powder , but that is my best load . |
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Posted: 2/23/2019 7:02:58 PM EDT
[#2]
H 322 for 55 grain and lower will literally put them in the same hole (100 yards) , but won't with the heavier bullets so I use varget with good success for 75-77 grain.
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Posted: 2/23/2019 7:55:29 PM EDT
[#3]
CFE 223 is best I have used on 75gr and heavier bullets.
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Posted: 2/23/2019 8:23:22 PM EDT
[#4]
I have used two powders for heavy bullets in 223 - TAC and Varget. I only use 75 gr Hornady HPBT-M and Sierra 80 gr MatchKings.
Every time I test, Varget yields better accuracy than TAC (1/2 MOA vs 3/4 MOA at 200 yards). For me, in my measure, using my technique, Varget meters better than most extruded powders (SD = 0.1 gr). TAC throws with SD = 0.014 gr, however, this low dispersion of charge weight does not show up as low dispersion in muzzle velocity (VBarget has lower MV SD than TAC). The accuracy and SD numbers given above are for large sample tests (# of samples, n>20, typically about 100 samples). 24.0 gr Varget Sierra 80 gr MatchKing Seated 0.020" off the lands Winchester case Winchester primer 23.5 gr TAC 75 gr Hornady HPBT-M 2.235" OAL Winchester case Winchester primer |
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Posted: 2/23/2019 8:52:05 PM EDT
[#5]
H4895.
ETA: I use a Lee PPM. |
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Posted: 2/23/2019 8:52:21 PM EDT
[#6]
What measure?
I'm using an rcbs |
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Posted: 2/23/2019 9:25:19 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
55 grain flat based bullet with 21.8 grs IMR 4198 . It is more work to load due to being an extruded powder , but that is my best load . Edit to say I got a thing for AA2015 with 52-53gr match also. Heavier 62 Varmagedon and others, I like CFE223,\. H4895 with 65GK's. h-335 with Hornady 55fmj's to knock my socks off. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 12:54:05 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Having shot a bunch more of my reloads recently I'm finding that I really like certain powders for certain weights. 77Gr - IMR 8208 XBR or Varget. Varget meters like crap though. 55gr - Tac. Did I mention tac? Because... Tac. 62/64 Gr - CFE223 - though you need more of it, it seems. This works really well in bonded 64 gr bullets 69 Gr - Varget? Don't really shoot many of these. XBR did better for me with 75/77. 52 Gr match kings - Tac again. For some reason I just cant find the right velocity in the 62-64 grain bullets with Tac or XBR. May try the varget though - Haven't yet. I only had one pound of CFE. It seems good though. Tac is my favorite powder with 55 and 62 gr FMJBT's. I use AeroE's load with 52 gr MK's. 27.0 grs (need a drop tube) of Re 15 and a Rem 7 1/2 in a Win case. Normally 5 shot groups go right around 1/2 at 100 yds, my best was one group at .380. I don't use Varget, why put up with the poor metering? (I'm not going to buy an electronic gismo to drop charges of Varget) Instead I use IMR-8208 XBR or CFE-223 for precision loads. Not shooting anything fancy, home built 16 inch heavy barrel AR with a 3x9 scope off double sandbags. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 9:37:37 AM EDT
[#9]
25.0 of H335 or Benchmark is my standard 55gr load.
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Posted: 2/24/2019 10:06:17 AM EDT
[#10]
CFE 223
BL-C2 (if you only shoot in more stable temperatures) Varget In that order... |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 10:34:00 AM EDT
[#11]
Reloder 10x is a great powder for 55gr bullets but it's also dirty.
XBR is my accuracy powder in 55gr. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 10:34:34 AM EDT
[#12]
For Dryflash, what precision loads do you use 8208xbr for? I have tried 55, 62, and 69gr. and have had not so great results. is 8208 only good for the heavier bullets?
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Posted: 2/24/2019 11:39:38 AM EDT
[#13]
Love reading other's recipes, can't wait to get settled into my new place this spring and first time ever home with enough room and area with no nearby neighbors to actually shoot in my very own back-yard
.223Remington is a very accurate cartridge from the git-go so powder, primer and brass choices along with level(s) of cartridge prep devoted is insanely fun for me personally. New powder availability and other supplies being so readily available and relatively cheap has me so "chompin at the bit" for spring. Personally had really great success with 55gr FMJ and 21.5gr Alliant Reloader 7. 23.5gr Alliant Reloader 10X also cloverleafs, but RL-7 2 grains more efficient. AeroE has an accuracy load that has been tried by many (including myself) and rifle after rifle just shreds one hole with 27gr Alliant Reloader 15 under a Sierra 52gr match HP. Not enough experience with .223Rem heavies but not very good results with Hornady heavies and, again, waiting for spring to try some 77gr SMK. Had/having great success with IMR8208XBR. This stuff will be lighting those 77gr SMKs this spring and 8208 has been putting smiles on my face with many .308WIN loads. The Varget and 75gr Hornady combos just kept disappointing me for years and can't wait to try a few 23.4gr 8208/77gr SMKs. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 12:12:04 PM EDT
[#14]
55 gr I use H335
62gr Win 748 75 gr Hornady and 77 gr MK I use TAC For me Varget does not measure and jams the Dillon powder measure (There is a polishing fix,but I am happy with accuracy from TAC) Later John |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 12:28:11 PM EDT
[#15]
For pure accuracy from heavy to light wt Varget. Down side it does not bode well for volume loading. CCI BR4 and Fed 205 or 205M
TAC is outstanding for heavy to mid weight. It seems to do best with CCI450 or Rem 7.5 H322 for mid weight bullets and Fed 205. Best accuracy always comes from prepped Win brass. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 1:42:35 PM EDT
[#16]
H335 for 55gr - 62gr - 64gr
8208 for 68gr - 69gr - 75gr - 77gr I have many other powders, but always end up going to these combos. I have a couple 8lbs jugs of TAC on hand in case my h335 and 8208 dries up locally. TAC is a good option for 55gr through 77gr. If I wasn't spoiled with so many options on hand and could only have 1 powder, it would be TAC. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 2:16:55 PM EDT
[#17]
I have found that if you have a bullet your rifle likes, it will shoot with almost any type of powder.
The powder i choose is based on where i want my accuracy window on the pressure curve. Some powders get in that wide accuracy window at the top pressures. Some get that range down low or in the middle. Some have ok accuracy at 100 yards but extreme velocity spreads are erratic. For hunting i need max velocity. For targets and such i like mid to max. Powders that deliver superb accuracy at real low velocities sit on the bench waiting to be tried in a different caliber or barrel profile. Powders are picky about primers. Anybody who shoots TAC should at least entertain the idea of WSR primers. CCI #41 and Federal AR Match primers work real nice with H4895 and AR-COMP. (which by the way are my favorite powders) |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 3:00:56 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
Having shot a bunch more of my reloads recently I'm finding that I really like certain powders for certain weights. (snip) For some reason I just cant find the right velocity in the 62-64 grain bullets with Tac or XBR. What are your criteria for "best" and "really like"? What is and why are you after "the right velocity" for a particular bullet in a particular weight range? |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 3:34:17 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
For Dryflash, what precision loads do you use 8208xbr for? I have tried 55, 62, and 69gr. and have had not so great results. is 8208 only good for the heavier bullets? |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 3:38:14 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Cryo_tech, What are your criteria for "best" and "really like"? What is and why are you after "the right velocity" for a particular bullet in a particular weight range? for 64's its velocity first and accuracy a close second. Varget is accurate but it meters like garbage. CFE223 I may have to try more of in heavies. I have like 10 pounds of Varget lying around tac is just so cheap, or it was. I got the last keg at a show for 140. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 5:49:43 PM EDT
[#21]
I use mostly H335 for 55 and 62 grain bullets.
It.seems dirty though; especially when not loaded to the max. However accuracy seems good. |
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Posted: 2/24/2019 8:38:30 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Varget is accurate but it meters like garbage... Would you trade velocity for accuracy in your self defense ammo? None of my reloaded ammo is inaccurate but I will take 1/4-1/2 MOA better accuracy for 100 fps in speed any day. YMMV |
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Posted: 2/25/2019 12:08:34 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is odd to me but many people repeat it. For me, Varget meters as well or better than any other extruded powder (SD = 0.12 gr). I have proven that this level of variability is meaningless for all practical purposes. Would you trade velocity for accuracy in your self defense ammo? None of my reloaded ammo is inaccurate but I will take 1/4-1/2 MOA better accuracy for 100 fps in speed any day. YMMV |
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Posted: 2/25/2019 12:09:38 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
For Dryflash, what precision loads do you use 8208xbr for? I have tried 55, 62, and 69gr. and have had not so great results. is 8208 only good for the heavier bullets? In my AR, remember rifles can and are different, I get 10 shot 7/8 inch 100 yd groups with IMR-8208 XBR and 69 gr MK's. In my rifle CFE-223 does slightly better with the 69 gr MK, 10 shot 3/4 inch 100 yd groups. As I posted, lighter than 69 grs, I use Tac for 55 and 62 gr FMJBT's and Hornaday's 55 gr SP. At these weights these bullets are all I load. Only bullet lighter than 55 grs that I load is 52 gr MK's with Re-15. What are you doing for brass prep? |
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Posted: 2/25/2019 11:24:08 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I don't like Varget even a little. Lots of better powders out there. See, look at how different people have different criteria for "good" or "best". This is why it is so important to define "best" when asking questions on the forum. Typical posting follows - OP: What's the best powder for xyz? Me: Define best. OP: What a PITA! For me, Varget is the best powder out there for heavy bullets in 223. Small kernels for easy metering Insensitive to temperature Burns cleanly No powder compression needed Measurably better accuracy than TAC dennyd, what do you look for in a powder that Varget does not deliver? |
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Posted: 2/25/2019 12:40:20 PM EDT
[#26]
>75 gr: 8208
62 gr - ARComp (if not rifle length gas system) and 8208 55 gr: damned near anything. TAC is current favorite. Run a lot of CFE in this too. 4895 and Varget are good powders, but too chunky for my tastes with the progressive. Use CFE223 for some as well. I find for heavies, those are match grade purpose, and 8208 is better choice. So I just burn CFE in blaster ammo for 62 and under. I need the same 600 yard zero from 32 to 110 degrees, and dont trust CFE as much as 8208 for that. And CFE doesn't group quite as well (for me) generally anyway. I might get in habit of bringing a "cleaner" mag of CFE loaded 55 gr ammo with me on blaster days 
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Posted: 2/25/2019 1:09:11 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
H 322 for 55 grain and lower will literally put them in the same hole (100 yards) , but won't with the heavier bullets so I use varget with good success for 75-77 grain. I too used to use Varget on heavies (77's and up), but have replaced it with XBR as XBR works better in multiple platforms for me, and meters A LOT better. Done with Varget. |
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Posted: 2/25/2019 8:17:55 PM EDT
[#28]
I don’t have the love affair with 8208 like a lot of other people. Accurate charges are too slow in my rifles and barely cycle it. That’s in two 5.56 ARs and a 224 Valkyrie
Reloder15: My favorite for 69-77gr, as well as 52gr SMK Varget, a close second for heavies, only a small tune needed for my Chargemaster (I slow down the last metering stage so it doesn’t over throw) CFE 223: good for 55-69gr, 26.5gr and 55gr FMJ is perfect Reloder10x great for light bullets, like 52gr and 53gr |
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Posted: 2/25/2019 8:58:21 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: LOL! See, look at how different people have different criteria for "good" or "best". This is why it is so important to define "best" when asking questions on the forum. Typical posting follows - OP: What's the best powder for xyz? Me: Define best. OP: What a PITA! For me, Varget is the best powder out there for heavy bullets in 223. Small kernels for easy metering Insensitive to temperature Burns cleanly No powder compression needed Measurably better accuracy than TAC dennyd, what do you look for in a powder that Varget does not deliver? |
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Posted: 2/25/2019 9:07:47 PM EDT
[#30]
IMO, XBR is a great all around powder from 50-80gr stuff (havent tried 90s).
if u want to save about $20 on the 8 lb jugs, then cfe |
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Posted: 2/26/2019 12:45:43 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
IMO, XBR is a great all around powder from 50-80gr stuff (havent tried 90s). if u want to save about $20 on the 8 lb jugs, then cfe And it works and measures like a dream. Most all my rifles I reload for love the stuff. And ya reasonable price. Some think it's dirty, I think it's what keeps the copper out of the bore. The coating in the bore is protective I believe, this is just my opine. |
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Posted: 2/26/2019 11:20:39 AM EDT
[#32]
RL15 or H4895 will do it all.
For my high production runs of hornady 55fmj I use virgin wc844 because it was cheap and designed for the job. My 55 fmj loads will hold the 200 yard service rifle SR Target x ring better than I can. Powders I have used: Varget, nice but not a great throwing powder but it was never available so I eliminated it from my stocks. Ballc2, had some problems with temperature and my accuracy suddenly going to pot on what was a known good load in the spring. Win748 IMR 4895, I keep the H version instead now. imr 8208xbr, not bad but narrower weight band applications.. |
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Posted: 2/26/2019 11:31:05 AM EDT
[#33]
You cannot try every good combo but you can try a few. I know there are lots of options I never tried.. I generally like extruded but will use ball in some applications. For pistol I avoid flake except when it works perfectly like clays. I had 8 pounds left over from shotgun loading. It’s as good as bullseye ever was except less dirt.
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Posted: 2/26/2019 3:17:36 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Am with you on the H322 and lighter bullets!!! (And it replaced the H335 I used back in the day) H322 meters great (real small grain extruded), is temp insensitive (extreme powder), doesn't require a mag primer when bitter cold, and most importantly .... I rarely find an AR I cant tune a great accuracy load with this powder. I too used to use Varget on heavies (77's and up), but have replaced it with XBR as XBR works better in multiple platforms for me, and meters A LOT better. Done with Varget. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
H 322 for 55 grain and lower will literally put them in the same hole (100 yards) , but won't with the heavier bullets so I use varget with good success for 75-77 grain. I too used to use Varget on heavies (77's and up), but have replaced it with XBR as XBR works better in multiple platforms for me, and meters A LOT better. Done with Varget. I still use H335 (technically WC844) for bulk loading of 55gn FMJ, because I've been able to buy it so much cheaper. It works pretty well too, but my true love is H322. |
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Posted: 2/26/2019 3:21:42 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
25.0 of H335 or Benchmark is my standard 55gr load. |
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Posted: 2/26/2019 4:15:58 PM EDT
[#36]
My apologies first...for my poor record keeping...
This was either a 69gr SMK or 77gr SMK load over X amount of H335... at 100 yards.  Attached FileAre you guys saying if I switched to 8208xbr for the 69 and/or 77 grainers, I'll get even better groups? |
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Posted: 2/26/2019 9:25:43 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My apologies first...for my poor record keeping... This was either a 69gr SMK or 77gr SMK load over X amount of H335... at 100 yards. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/369122/Screenshot_20181030-141141_Gallery_jpg-859001.JPG Are you guys saying if I switched to 8208xbr for the 69 and/or 77 grainers, I'll get even better groups? |
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Posted: 2/27/2019 12:08:51 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This. Will shoot 1-1.25" from a Larue barrel. Mag length. 
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Posted: 2/27/2019 10:28:28 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How many 55gr class, lead core bullets could be loaded beyond maglength? |
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Posted: 2/28/2019 9:39:41 PM EDT
[#40]
TAC and TAC
Every 5.56 I have runs on two loads. CCI 450 65 grain Sierra with 26 grains of TAC. CCI 450 70 grain TSX with 26 grains of TAC. Don’t start here, these are top end. Both are accurate and dependable. |
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Posted: 3/1/2019 1:47:48 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If it ain’t broke; don’t fix it I think at last count, I had 640 of my handloads that needed to have their bullets pulled and powder dumped and the cases resized to fix the concentricity issues. Sooo....yeah....one of these days I'll have better notes with me at the range...so I know the powder charge weight and bullet weight. |
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