Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Best powder for 40g V-MAX/Z-MAX or BT?

I have an AR 5.56 with a 1-9 twist and use BL-C(2) for 50-55g bullets. A while back I picked up a Ruger MKII with a 1-14 twist and it doesn't seem to like those loads. My immediate plan is to try some 40g BT, which I have in stock. If that doesn't work it will get rebarreled with a 1-9 or faster twist.

Powders on hand that Hodgdon lists for the .223 and 40g bullets include BL-C(2), Varget, H4895, Benchmark, H322 and H4198. I'm not opposed to buying CFE223 if I can find any.

Without knowing anything else, I'm leaning toward BL-C(2) because it meters very well, shows good velocity with low pressures and I have a big jug of it on hand.

Given your experience, which would provide the best balance of velocity and accuracy?

TIA

of those powders with that bullet, H 322 first, 4198 second, Benchmark third.... my personal favorite is RL 7...

H322 and H4198 would be the one's I would use. I've had good luck with IMR4198.

I use H335 behind the 40 gr BT. Shoots great in my 9 twist Ruger Hawkeye. I also worked up loads with BL-(C)2 and they shot almost as well. Personally, if you don't mind the expense, I'd go ahead and rebarrel to the 9 twist. There are some great bullets you won't be able to shoot with that 14 twist.

I'm having great success with surplus blc2

I've not been impressed with CFE223. I bought 10 pounds a little over a year ago when things were scarce. I was low on TAC and thought it may be a good alternative. I tried it in 5-6 223's with several different bullet weights. Accuracy was erratic, as was velocity. I'm no fan of the powder.

Given your choices, I'd try Benchmark. It meters well and velocity/accuracy have been easy to achieve with the powder. Benchmark and TAC are the two powders I grab for bullets under 55 grains.....and I have every powder you mentioned plus some on the shelf to choose from.

Ramshot X-Terminator, 27 grs. (max load in their manual) with 40 gr Ballistic Tips. I don't know if it's the best but it meters great, shoots clean and I'm pretty sure it's more accurate than I can hold in my 1-10 Tikka.

Same here.. Find some xterminator and run that load. It's shot great with 40s in all of my .223s, bolt and AR.

H322. It also works with heavies, it is just slow with them.

I haven't tried it in .223 yet, but LT-32 sure does work well in .222 with 50-grain V-Max. It seems to be just a bit slower than the 4198s, but faster than H322---just my guess. It seems like a natural for lighter bullets in either cartridge, though. I think it meters nicely too.

I agree but my personal favorites are VVN130 and RL10x

TFF!

I'm betting take a pee reloads as much as he hunts - which is never..

I've had good luck with Benchmark and Tac.

Show us a pic of all your Dillons.

Um yeah. You first, snookums..

Just get off the couch and snap a pic with your cell phone. You'll only be off the sofa for a minute, and not even have to go outside.

Ahh 223 aint bad either, a little blend with the latest 2015 works well for a little more velocity.

I use Benchmark with 40gr NBT out of a 26" barreled 1-14" twist Weatherby Super VarmintMaster. Really fast, small groups.



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For me, Benchmark is my go to for 55gr and under, Varget for over. After finding these two, I dont have much use for any other powder in .223.

I use Varget in my 1-10" Tikka and Nosler 64 gr BSB. But I got that from shortactionsmoker!



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