Looking for powder advice for 223

skatz11

skatz11

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
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Jun 8, 2009
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Lexington, KY
#1
I'm looking for some suggestions for a good all around 223 powder. I plan on reloading 62gr plinking ammo, and also 77 SMK target ammo. I have a few requirements:
- readily available and reasonably priced (plan on buying in 8# kegs)
- clean burning
- meter consistently on a Dillon

I suppose the main question I have, is if its realistic to think that one powder can serve both of bullet choices?

Thanks!
 
#5
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

Talcum.
wink.gif
 
#9
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

I have a friend that shoots 77's and 80's using Reloder 15 with great results. Another friend prefers BLC2 with the lighter bullets.
 
#12
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

You should have a 1 in 9 /10 twist barrel for those longer bullets
I would have thought that reloader 15 was a bit too slow to get enough powder in the case as its down around H380 in burning rate.
For target work at long range with heavy bullets you got to get as much starting velocity as possible .
I agree that TAC is in the burning rate zone.
Reported to be between H335 and H4895 in burning rate.
Faster than say Varget to get some extra punch with less powder and slow enough to propell the heavier 224 bullets .
Its a good starting point I think.
 
#13
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

1/8 twist for 77 gr and lower gr bullets, 1/9 for 69 gr bullets. RL 15 or Varget will drive 60 gr, 70 gr. hs been used for years, Varget does not meter well through a Dillon but there are modifications and polish up measure cone helps ( search SH)also lot to lot can vary. RL 15 in extream heat can get over preasured when running max loads in extream heat. Lighter bullets H355 and alike....

I just came back from running the new IMR 8082 xbr, meters smooth like ball, no bridging and accurate drops. Reported to be stable to 165F. Reported to be ( not confirmed ) new powder used in MK 262 round ( 77gr 2750 fps. Very impressive so far, readily available and reasonably priced for any reloading componet these days good luck!!!
 
#14
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

BL-C(2)
TAC
2520
Win748
H-335
Varget - doesnt meter as well but very good powder.
H-4895 - " "
IMR 4198 - " "
H-322 - " "
Benchmark - " "
RL-15 - " "

I use all these powders with the .223 in different loads. They all work well for me. Benchmark works the best for me in the accuracy stand point but everyone is different. Ball powder is nice cuz it meters well but Varget is very good also but being a "stick" powder it does not meter very well.

So many choices.......what to do, what to do?
 
#15
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

Hi for temp stability H4895 is awsome and flkows well through a dillon but benchmark works realy well through a thrower but it is not as temp stable. If you are not running in hot weather or near max Benchmark is great but i dont think it is available in bulk so look at H4895 it is perfect for your needs with both projectile weights and is available in bulk containers.
 
#18
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

I use IMR 4895 with my electronic dispenser with digital scale. That I know it worked VERY nice with both 223 and 308.
As I'm new to the Dillon and multi-stage reloading, after some research, I decided to give AA2520 a try.
It is supposed to meter really well on the Dillon, and I exchanged emails with the AA ballistician, which reassured me on its temperature stability:

<span style="color: #3333FF">During qualification we test the powder at -40F and +140F and the deviation are less than 3% at these extreme levels.
So most will not notice the difference under normal standard hunting conditions.</span>
 
#20
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

Velocity vs pressure = RL15. Burns clean too. Check Alliant powder's site for specs. I read somewhere that the military is now using RL15 in their 223 loads. Also the fellow who is the instructor for the military team who has won the 1000 yard match at Camp Perry "3 years in a row" is a friend of mine and he told me the other day that they prefer RL15 in their 223 loads. Enuf said. Try it and see for yourself. Also meters great in Dillon's powder dropper. If it don't your aluminum funnel at the bottom of your powder dropper needs polishing.
 
#21
Re: Looking for powder advice for 223

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shackles</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Velocity vs pressure = RL15. Burns clean too. Check Alliant powder's site for specs. I read somewhere that the military is now using RL15 in their 223 loads. Also the fellow who is the instructor for the military team who has won the 1000 yard match at Camp Perry "3 years in a row" is a friend of mine and he told me the other day that they prefer RL15 in their 223 loads. Enuf said. Try it and see for yourself. Also meters great in Dillon's powder dropper. If it don't your aluminum funnel at the bottom of your powder dropper needs polishing. </div></div>
I don't believe they are telling the truth but who knows they might use it but that still don't mean its the best for the average reloader. I still think there are other powders with better burning rates for 223 .
 
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