Nimitz Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 (edited) I'm slowly coming up with everything I need to reload 223 so it's time to start looking at powders. A local gun shop has a bunch of rifle powders but I have no clue where to begin. Can someone recommend several powders that will work for use under a 55g bullet? Distances will be at 100 yds and in for the time being. The ammo will be used for local 3-gun matches so I'm not exactly looking to be able to hit a quarter at 200 yds either ..... Thx Edited June 6, 2014 by Nimitz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairmckenzie1 Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 tac, h335 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CmbtEngr Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 CFE 223 is an excellent candidate. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009633404/hodgdon-cfe-223-smokeless-gun-powder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2ipsc Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 (edited) Varget, AA2230, Benchmark, RE-15, BLC-2, W748, 4895, H322, RE-7, VV N133, VV N135, 3031, 4198 will all work as well...in this festive period, it sort of boils down to what you can actually find..! Edited June 6, 2014 by n2ipsc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishsticks Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 AR-Comp, TAC, X-Terminator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trodrig Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 (edited) Cfe 223 is awesome with Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT's. Win748 is pretty good as well. I like to save Tac and Varget for heavier bullets. Edit to add: not that Tac and Varget aren't good for 55's! I just want to save my supply of them for heavy bullets! Edited June 6, 2014 by trodrig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Religious Shooter Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 The best powder right now are the ones that are available. I can recommend Benchmark for 55's http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/4,114.html And H4895 for heavies and 55's http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/4,247.html You can also try H322. http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/4,229.html Available RIGHT NOW. DON'T HESITATE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I believe one of the best choices available that no one mentioned yet is IMR 8208 XBR. Meters great, very consistent, very good accuracy, temperature stable and can be used on a wide variety of bullet weights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnRodriguez Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Hodgon Benchmark. it's one of there extreme powders, it's not temp sensitive. it works with 40 gr burgers to there 90 gr bullets. it's cut about 1/3 of varget and meters very well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 (edited) AA2230 very accurate with Nosler 77gr CC. Down to my last pound so will start working up loads with IMR 8208 XBR. I'm seeing it on the shelves a little more frequently than other powders. Bill Edited June 7, 2014 by Flatland Shooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theslasher Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) H335.. Its all i use.. And its been coming back available quite regularly. Just picked up an 8lb keg 2 weeks ago. 24.5 gr works great in my 1/7 Psa upper. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited June 8, 2014 by theslasher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Doc Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Varget, AA2230, Benchmark, RE-15, BLC-2, W748, 4895, H322, RE-7, VV N133, VV N135, 3031, 4198 will all work as well...in this festive period, it sort of boils down to what you can actually find..! Would you share how many grains of Benchmark and AA2230 you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgj3 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) Most of these powders use very similar charge weights, but what is best for one gun/shooter/bullet may need to be tweaked for the next guy. And, you're going to need different charge weights for a 50gr pill vs. a 75gr or 77gr. Anyone's info here is just a starting place. And, a quick Google search (if forum search fails) will yield the info you've asked for. Just remember that published data is what you can/should be using to get started. Pretty sure Benchmark has a load on the can. Edited June 8, 2014 by wgj3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Doc Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Agree but the OP asked a question about 55 grain bullets specifically and most manufactures recommended loads are tested on a 22 inch barrel that almost nobody uses for 3 gun. I was just asking for somebody to share their pet load to save me time to have to experiment with different loads and have to chrono them. Here I'll share mine and they work great on a 16 inch barrel 1/9 twist Vithavouri N530 23 grains or Winchester 748 25.5 grains with a Hornady 55 grain BTWC average 2950 fps I just can't find VV N530 or Winchester 748 anywhere!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Religious Shooter Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 ... I just can't find VV N530 or Winchester 748 anywhere!! Recobs has 748 in stock. You can buy up to 10 one lb bottles in one order. http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/4,33.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Doc Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Thanks!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleA Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 My current load for 100yrd stuff is 55 grn hornady bulk over 24.5 grn x-terminater with Cci #41 at 2.245 COAL. It shoots at 3000 fps out of my 18" 1/8 and just as accurate as my long range 77 Sierra's without having to weigh each charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelsonAK Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 8208XBR is great under a 55, and I'm having excellent results with AR-Comp - although it is a little slow for a 55 grain bullet in general. Benchmark and 2230 are excellent choices. I recently ran through 4 lbs of 8208XBR - when it shows up again I will buy more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodene 5 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Cfe 223 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoothdraw Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 H335 on 55gr, Varget on 75-77gr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrs Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Good thing is there are many powders out there that will work. I'll echo some others in that I am really liking 8208XBR. It acts almost like a short cut stick version of TAC. Works with a wide range of bullet weights and can generate MK262 velocities in a 5.56 chamber going a little over .223 book max. Others that have not been mentioned: Alliant r10x- short cut stick powder for light bullets. I like it with 55gr, but the book max will only get me to 2850 in an 18" Alliant PP 1200R- ball version of the above Alliant 2000mr- Ball version of R15. Good for 69gr and up. IMR 4064- OK with heavy bullets, but not great. Frustrating to meter. Alliant Reloder 15- Good for heavy bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quag Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Like the OP I'm new to reloading .223. I have successfully got thru my first sets of reloads. I used 1x shot 5.56 American Eagle Nato Brass, military crimps removed. I used H335 and a Hornady 55grn FMJ bullet and CCI primers. All pretty sandard safe stuff and a lot of info on this. I trimmed to 1.75 and set my OAL at 2.25 (they came out slighly under at about 2.246 to 2.247. This was shot thru an 18" barrel with a 1/8 twist, Wylde chamber.I don't have the data here but this is what I remember starting load 23 grns=abt 2800 to 2900 fps +-1.3% second load 24 grns=abt 2900 to 3050 fps+-1.2% American Eagle Factory 5.56 NATO abt 3300 +-0.8% (factory box says 3150 fps) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddKS Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Another vote for H335. I use 24.5gr on FC brass with a 55gr Hornady FMJ. Remington 7 1/2 primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&Pman Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Varget, BLC-2 and 748 on Hrndy 55 grains PSP and FMJs, all have had great results with my 16" 1-9 twist! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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