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223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

BoilerUP

BoilerUP

Old Salt
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 16, 2011
4,044
2,460
41
Floyd Co, IN
#1
I currently use Varget for both a 22" 1:7 223AI (26.2gr & 80gr Amax, 2890fps) and a 18" 1:8 5.56 AR (24.5gr & 75gr HPBT, 2615fps); both loads produce good accuracy.

I'm getting ready to buy more powder and curious what everybody prefers for these two chamberings and why.

I'm satisfied with Varget so far, but if I can get a little more velocity and/or a little less pressure then its something worth looking into.

I know, "buy some and try it"...but I like to go into such things at least moderately educated.

I've searched the Reloading Depot at length, but would appreciate pet loads if ya'll are willing to share.
 
#4
Re: 223/223AI bestpowder choice, (almost) 2013 edition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 7mmRM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I run Benchmark in all of my 223/223AIs. 75AMAXs also get the nod. </div></div>

What kind of velocity are you seeing in your AI and gas gun with Benchmark?
 
#5
Re: 223/223AI bestpowder choice, (almost) 2013 edition

Tough to beat 8208 for velocity, temp stability, and easy metering. It's magical. Varget is a close second, and I have a bunch of TAC for "just in case".
 
#6
Re: 223/223AI bestpowder choice, (almost) 2013 edition

3050 in the AIs with 75s

2900 in the 223s B/As with 75s.

Only ran 55s and 60s in the gassers. Did use benchmark as well.
IIRC, 3000 for the 60s and 3100 for the 55s
 
#7
Re: 223/223AI bestpowder choice, (almost) 2013 edition

8208 has been working very well for me in my 19.5" 223 ai bolt gun and my 20" 223 gas gun. Good velocity, good metering, and great consistency. This has been primarily with the 69 smk and 70 vld.
 
#8
Re: 223/223AI bestpowder choice, (almost) 2013 edition

I voted varget but I am also a big fan of IMR 4320.

I also use BL-C(2) for my short line stuff. It meters extremely well in my dillon.
 
#9
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm satisfied with Varget so far, but if I can get a little more velocity and/or a little less pressure then its something worth looking into.</div></div>
.223rem (don't load AI): You're going to have a hard time beating Varget's velocity with the heavier bullets. 8208 gives low sd's and great accuracy, at the cost of a little velocity. It's what I use for .223 loaded on a progressive.
 
#12
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

I've had better luck using ball powder for anything under 68-69gr bullets. AA2230, H335 and W748 have all worked very well for me over the years. They all meter nicely in my Dillon 550 and 650.
 
#13
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

I use H335 or Benchmark for 40-55g. As much as I love Varget, RL15 beat Varget for both accuracy and velocity with 75g Amax in my .223AI.
 
#17
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

I voted other, and I mean H4895. Meters well, cleaner than Varget,smaller kernels, more velocity with the heavies.also has less recoil too. Use it for 50-80 grain bullets.

With lc cases and wolf srm primers
AR load (20 in)
77's 23.5- 2820 fps 24.0 is ok as well for 2875
75's 24.2- 2850 fps
80's 24.0- 2800 fps

In bolt gun (24 in brux) it's a slower barrel though
77's 24.0 2900
75's VLD 25.0 2950
80's 24.0 2850

Super sleeper load is 25.0 with 60 Sierra varminters at 3100 fps. Use the same load for 69's at 2950-3000 ish

Also it works well in just about anything.
 
#19
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

Ended up getting 5lb of Varget (all the shop had) and 2lb of 8208XBR.

I'll try XBR in both the 223AI with 80gr and the 18" AR with 52 and 75/77gr bullets and see how it performs.
 
#20
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

I've been using 25.7 grains of Benchmark driving 52 gr. BTHP match bullets. It shoots consistent 1 MOA in my 20" Bushmaster and just slightly more in my 16" Black Rain Ordinance Fallout 15. I'm about to start working up loads for 69 gr. BTHP Match bullets that have fallen into my hands. I will start with Varget, since I have a bunch if it.
 
#22
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

I use TAC , BLC-2, 2230, AR-Comp and CFE 223 all with great results in my ARs and bullets ranging from 55 gr to 77 gr, I would say AR-Comp @ 24.5 gr behind a 62gr fmj is one of my favorites for accuracy in LC brass sitting on CCI-41 primers. That has turned out to be a fantastic round out to 400 yards for me.
 
#23
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

I did load some of the 69's with 23.5 Varget for load development. However, I must have been asleep at the wheel because they were too long to feed from magazines. I had to pull them and start over, which I have not yet done. I must try the AR-Comp on the 62's.
 
#25
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dark Sky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did load some of the 69's with 23.5 Varget for load development. However, I must have been asleep at the wheel because they were too long to feed from magazines. I had to pull them and start over, which I have not yet done. I must try the AR-Comp on the 62's.</div></div>

Ummmm why not just seat them down further??
 
#27
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 16 Bore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No love for H335 here? Haven't run it with heavies, but good shit with everything else... </div></div>
Have used H335 with 60-gr. V-Max for more than 10 years. If I'm consistent, so is it.

I have been using RL-15 with the 77-gr SMK because it was so highly/often recommended.

Cheers,
Richard
 
#28
Re: 223/223AI best powder, (almost) 2013 edition

I think I'm sold on 8208XBR for 77gr AR loads...23.8gr gave me 2683fps and a 5-shot 0.44" group at 100yd. That's 70fps more velocity than 24.5gr Varget in my rifle, with better accuracy.

Also ran some through my 22" 223AI just to check velocities...

25.8gr XBR under a 80gr A-Max gave me 40fps more velocity than my existing 26.2gr Varget load, and a three shot 200yd group was 0.37".

I think I'll try a 10-shot string through each rifle to verify velocity & accuracy consistency, but if that holds out I'll probably be switching to XBR...
 
#29
Dredging this one up to second Boiler UP's comments.
8208XBR is fantastically accurate in my 19" AI with hBN coated 75 AMAX's, LC brass.
Tiny groups at 100, tiny groups at 1000(driver dependent), made hits on e types out to 1300.
5 using 26.1 with the lubed 75, bipod & bag at 100.
Accurate beyond my ability.
292405_10151563007722779_1379419622_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
#30
Since this got bumped...

25.8gr 8208XBR with 80gr A-Max actually gave me stellar accuracy and 3000fps(!) from my 22" 1:7 223AI barrel, but only got 3 firings on Nosler brass before primer pockets were toast. I've settled on 24.9gr XBR for my current load with Lapua brass, and its about 2900fps.

I've been using 23.5gr XBR with a 77gr Nosler/CCI-400/RP brass in my 18" 1:8 5.56 rifle gas BHW barrel on my FrankenSPR and come-ups out to 900yd verify 2665fps. Accuracy averages 0.75MOA inside of 200yd which is plenty good enough for my purposes (and skill level with a gas gun), with 5-shot groups closer to 0.5MOA when I'm having a good day driving the rifle.

I'm definitely sold on 8208XBR...plus its been available locally while Varget has been unobtanium.
 
#31
BoilerUP said:
I'm definitely sold on 8208XBR...plus its been available locally while Varget has been unobtanium.
Click to expand...

+1

All this year I have been stringing along on 1 pounders of Varget I was lucky enough to find, but thankfully 8208 is starting to show up more. In the 130* F seasonal temperature variation of Fairbanks, 8208 has been a more consistent performer. 25.2 grains of 8208 with a 69 smk hammers year round while I need two separate loads to stay in the node with Varget.
 
#32
Need some suggestions for 223AI loads for an upper I just had re-chambered. Barrel is roughly a 1/12 twist. I have 40 grain V-Max and Sierra 52 grain HPBT to start with as well as other basic 55 and 60 grain bullets.

I pretty much have all standard 223 powders on hand but do not have H335 which seems to be unobtainium.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
#33
2ndPanzer said:
I voted other, and I mean H4895. Meters well, cleaner than Varget,smaller kernels, more velocity with the heavies.also has less recoil too. Use it for 50-80 grain bullets.

With lc cases and wolf srm primers
AR load (20 in)
77's 23.5- 2820 fps 24.0 is ok as well for 2875
75's 24.2- 2850 fps
80's 24.0- 2800 fps

In bolt gun (24 in brux) it's a slower barrel though
77's 24.0 2900
75's VLD 25.0 2950
80's 24.0 2850

Super sleeper load is 25.0 with 60 Sierra varminters at 3100 fps. Use the same load for 69's at 2950-3000 ish

Also it works well in just about anything.
Click to expand...

What load have you found that works well for 69 gr SMK with H4895 in a 20" AR?

Thanks.
 
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