Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles AA1680, Varget, BLC-2, IMR4895 or IMR4198 ?

I'm not much of a AR / black gun guy but figuring I needed something with more round capacity than my 1911's with all the civil unrest going on I recently purchased a minty / safe queen .223 Ruger stainless & wood Mini 14......late 580 series (2008 mfg) with the factory redesigned gas system and a 18.5" 1 in 9 twist heavy tapered barrel.

For right now I don't have any plans to hang glass or hunt with it, just looking for a SHTF and casual plinking gun.

For bullets I came across a pretty good deal on a few hundred Hornady # 22261 50 gr. V-Max bullets so I'll be using those and I want to use one of the five below listed powders that I have on hand that I've found printed data for.

Data from Hodgdon web site using a 24" test barrel;

Varget.......min. 26.5 @ 3242 fps--------max. 27.5 @ 3383 fps.
BLC-2.......min. 26.0 @ 3187 fps--------max. 28.0 @ 3428 fps.
IMR4895......min. 25.2 @ 3118 fps-------max. 26.7 @ 3211 fps.
IMR4198......min 19.8 @ 3094 fps-------max. 21.9 @ 3352 fps.

Data from 2003 freebie Accurate Reloading Guide using a 24" test barrel;

AA1680......min. 17.5 @ 2894 fps--------max. 19.5 @ 3146 fps.


With my 18.5" 1 in 9 twist barrel, 50 gr. V-Max bullets and the five powders above which powder would you try first ?.

I normally start just a little under mid way and stop a little under max. when working up a pet load.

Thanks in advance fellas.

I’d be hoping for BLC2 to give good results just due to ease of use being a ball powder. I have had good results with 335 and 50s in 223 and I believe BLC2 is pretty close in burn rate. Never used it in anything but 30/30 where it’s a favorite of mine. Good luck

Based on my experience in loading for a late model Mini-14, and given your choice of those five powders, my first choice for 50 grain bullets would be IMR-4895 with IMR-4198 a close second.

Vargay and BLC-2 are real close with BLC-2 being just a tad slower, but both should work. Check your data as you aren’t going to get 36 grains of 4895 in the case. 1680 is faster than 4198 but again both should work fine. In other words it’s a toss up. Pick your poison and see how they shoot.

Oops.......I fixed the max on the IMR4895 Swifty.

I've always have said... its harder to find a powder that DOESN'T work well in a 223, than it is to find one that is better than all the rest...

economy.. 4198...

velocity... BLC 2...

ni the powders you listed, there are NO bad choices in there...

with a 1 in 9 Twist... only recommendations I'd pass on... instead of the 50 V Max... I'd consider the 53 V Max... much better BC for distance... and the often overlooked 68 grain BTHP....

Thanks for your input fellas.......based on your suggestions I narrowed my five powder choices down to two.

Thanks again.

AA1680 flows like water through a powder measure.
I'll be buying some myself once we get all this mess
behind us.

Check them all out on Hogdons load data site.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

Granted you have no plans on using a scope, I don't think it makes any difference...its likely all the powders will be far more accurate than you are capable of shooting with iron sights.

Of the powders you list with 50gr Vmax I would use IMR4895, Varget works better with heavier bullets. I don't use BLC-2 at all anymore, just too temp sensitive.

4895 is where I would start.

My heavy barrel Mini shoots best with a medium burn rate powder. I would try the 4198 for $hits and giggles but I think you will find the best velocity with 50 grain bullets with 4895. And it may be just a tad slow burning with a 50 grain bullet. Ideally I think you should look at IMR3031 or AA2230. I know, you don't have those on hand.

kwg