Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Reloading powders for .223

H335

Varget is my go to powder when I can find it.

TAC is basically less-touchy H 335. Good stuff, I worked up some loads for some friends and they shoot great. But not MY jug, and the Obamapanic means no TAC for ME. And I'm too classy to beg. Soon.
But you can't go bad wrong with H-4895. It works in lots of rifles. In the 223, I especially like H-4895 for 50s and 55s, and Varget for anything heavier.

I run 8208xbr, and it is easily the best powder that I have ever used. Temperature insensitive, easy to meter, and it gives better velocity and accuracy than h4895. I am sending 82 bergers at 2910, with no pressure out of my .223.

I use Varget in a pinch, and TAC as a last resort.

4895 will be about perfect in the 223 for nearly all bullet weights from 40-65.

H4895 gave me great accuracy and top velocity with 50 gr Sierras in a 700 V I had. It went thru the Uniflow like Lincoln logs at best . All I run in AR's or bolt 223 is ball powder now H335 or better yet TAC. Magnum Man

It is only natural that folks all have their favorite powder, for their favorite loads. For years, I only loaded Sierra 60gr. hp varmit bullets, over 26 grs. of AA2520.However, this last year, I have been unable to get Sierra bullets, had to go to the 62 gr. Nosler Varmaggedon. Still using the AA2520 tho.
Twink

I have had great results wit win 748 it shoots good in all my 223s

Since you have them, might as well see if they are sufficiently accurate. Assuming this is a bolt gun and you are shooting bullets up to 55 grains, I personally would start with W748. If that didn't do it, H335 would be my next pick. Good luck!

H335. I know the naysayers will tell you it is so dirty that you will have to take a shower and wash your truck afterwards, but don't believe the hype.

If i was stuck with just one powder for the 223 It would be H335

aww I let it run long enough without causing a free for all starting and my existence being cursed...

but my favorite most commonly used powders for the 223 are
1. SR 4759 2. Blue Dot 3. RL 7 4. IMR 4198....

I run mainly 50 grain bullet weights and under.. although 52 grain Speer HPs and 53 grain HPs slip by at times...

for velocity, with those weights, my first reached for powder is RL 7...

give me a moment while I go put on my flame retardant suit..

okay, I'm back... Fire and Flame away...

No flames Seafire, sounds like good numbers for your uses.

I just loaded up 5 shells with IMR4064 and the 55gr sierra spfb. to test. While my normal choice is Varget, 2nd is H4895. IMR4064 was available. All 1lb of it.

Benchmark, H335, and Varget does everything I need to do in 223.

ya know, 4064 may not always be the BEST choice for velocity, but it is never a bad choice for accuracy, in about anything I have ever shot it in....

If I had to settle on only a couple of powders to rely on for EVERYTHING, 4064 would definitely be on the short list.. I feel I am getting low when I am down to my last 8 lb container...

same with IMR 4895...

Well, I'll probably stir everything up with this response.

I'm working with Power Pro 2000 MR underneath 75 Hornady hpbt's. The first time I tried it, groups looked like #4 buckshot. After I opened up the barrel channel and gave the barrel a bit of wiggle room, things got better.

After shooting a ladder at 300 yds, I found two very distinct nodes. One was between 25.2 and 25.6 grains and the other was between 26.0 and 26.4 grains. Vertical was less than 1/2" on both nodes. Velocities for the first node were 2777 to 2792 fps and the second node 2857 to 2885 fps. Primers were beginning to flatten on the second node but not excessively. No other signs of pressure.

Rifle is a Tikka T3 w/8" twist.

8208 is another one that shows promise. Lower node at 300 averaged 2597 and the upper node averaged 2648 fps. Vertical was 9/16" on the lower node and 3/8" on the upper. Charge weights were 21.0 to 21.4 grains on the lower and 21.6 to 22.2 grains on the upper. Other than the velocity difference between the two powders, both shot well with the edge probably going to the 8208. Once I start with depth adjustments, who knows where it will go.

I'm sure as I shoot the gun more, I may find a powder even better.


Bruce

Yup, this is true.
If only 1 powder, then hands down H-335.

+1


Ive had 'issues' with shooting H335 in a hot gun.

Me too.

I've burned quite a few pounds of H335 in various .223's, but not for at least 12 years. There are better powders around today, that are not only far more temp-resistant but cleaner burning. Oh, and just as accurate.