reloading 223 - what powder these days?

[joekoug]

What kind of powder are you guys using for your 223 loads lately? I can't find anything available anywhere. I was using surplus pulldown powder, but no one has had any in stock in a looong time.

 

[sloughfoot]

It is somewhat dependant on bullet weight, but...748, one of the 4895's, RE15, Varget, N135, N140, 4064. There are others too. I just don't remember them all right now.

Go to Churubusco at Tomlinson's to find powder.

Also commercial row at Camp Perry for the next two weeks. all the venders are there. Fin, fur, and feather is where I stock up for the coming year with 5 lb kegs of RE15 and Remington primers.

 

[Exodus]

H322, because it was what I could find.

 

[flashpuppy]

Varget, 4064 is what my junk seems to like. Convienent thatt my .204, .223 and .308 all really like the Varget.

 

[netsecurity]

I use Hogdon H335, but you can't find it any more, so I switched to Alliant AR-Comp, which is a new temperature resistant "wonder powder". It is so new that it is not even in published manuals yet! Tthe load data is on their website though. It works with basically all bullet sizes, even the larger 77gr types, so it competes with Varget, which is another (more expensive?) one by Hogdon.

Alliant RL-15 is what AR-Comp was derived from, but the two powders have different burn rates. RL-15 should be good too though. I think it is more comparable to H335, being used mostly on the lighter (~55gr) loads. Check the load data on the Alliant website.

Indiana Gun Club in Fishers had lots of Alliant powders a while back, and probably still has some...

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I load using 55 grain bullets, and I have been very happy with Varget.

 

[88E30M50]

I reload .223 with Accurate 2230. It meters well and works for me. It's not the easiest stuff to find, but it's usually out there somewhere.

 

[ljk]

A2230 and RL15 are the only two available in my neck of woods, I use A2230 seems burns cleaner than the cheaper RL15.

 

[ZbornacSVT]

I've found some CFE223 and H322 jugs a couple months back at normal prices, so I bought about 38#. I'm good for a while, lol.

Other than that I have used Varget, Benchmark, 8208, and 844 pulldown.

 

[Leo]

I like everything on Sloughfoots list. I would also add AA 2460 ball powder. I got some almost by accident and it worked really well under 69 and 75/77 grain bullets in the .223 REM

 

[Exodus]

BLC-2 is about the only one that hasn't been stated yet. (of the more common ones)

 

[EvilElmo]

So far I've just stuck to Varget.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I just gave up. I guess im gonna have to be an AK guy for awhile

 

[red_zr24x4]

Look for some Accurate 2015. It meters well, burns clean, and is what I prefer in my .223 bolt gun. Loaded a butt load of .223 for the AR with it also.
My Lee book has a section for service rifle loads and AA2015 is used in .223,.308 and 30-06

 

[tenring]

Got two cases of AA2230C a number of years ago [that's 64 lbs.], IIRC it came to about 10 bucks a lb. at my door. Natchez had a boat load to get rid of and I decided to help them out. Use it in .223 and .308 bolt guns, meters like a charm, clean burning, accurate. AA finally came out with load data, as there was no published data [supposedly a huge 'guvmint order that did not meet spec] so they finally figured out just use AA2460 load data and have fun. On last jug of the first case, at my age [68], don't think I'll run out any time soon. While you can't find any powder, save back each week or however your $ come in, and when the supply comes back, buy as much as you can, same for primers.

 

[maverick5990]

Currently using whatever I can find. My rifle really likes Accurate 2015, but can't find any close. Did stumble on to some Hodgdon H322 but haven't loaded any yet.

 

[DoctorThunder]

If I can find more, I really like Accurate 2230. It meters very well and I can get away with using around 22 gr loads vs the 25 I use with Alliant power pro varmint.

 

[philbert001]

I found reloader-7 at gander mountain, back when nothing was available online. I've had very good luck with it, and 50grain bullets. According to my speer manual, it'll push them at over 3100fps, without even being at the max load!

 

[jurassicnarc]

My two bolt guns, a Kimber and a Cooper, really like W748 and IMR 4895 with 52 to 55grain bullets (primarily Speer and Nosler). H322 has given some outstanding groups with 55 grain Noslers, just not so consistently as the other two. I'm down to a couple pounds of each, but I suspect the dry spell may ease up soon, as manufacturers catch up to backorders. The last 38 groups with the Cooper averaged​ 0.61" at 100 yards, so from here out I'll just load some up and reserve it for hunting rather than wear it out on paper.

 

[sgreen3]

For my plinking loads Ive been using Accurate2230 and have been using some IMR4320, and Varget for the precision stuff.