Which powder for reloading 223 for AR15?

[acnewman55]

I'm not a re-loader yet but I'm planning to start sometime this year.

I know that components can be hard to come by, so I figured I'd start keeping eyes out for them when I'm at my local shops.

I'm curious which powders are commonly used for reloading 223 for Semi-autos?

[h20hunter]

Varget is my first choice.

[300rum]

H335 meters like water and can be used for a wide range of bullet weights and is very accurate.  Varget is a good powder but feels like grinding your teeth when you meter it. 

[stevemiller]

I lime IMR always available meters good and shoots great.also use it in several other cal.

[JimmyHoffa]

H-322 is pretty good.

[Jingles]

Once you decide to reload you are going to find that different manufacturers recommend different powders for their bullets even different weights of the same bullet style then you get into the different calibers more choices.
 As an examplefor Sierria 60grain Hp for 223 you can use any of the following"
Viht N130
IMR4198
Viht1 N133
RE-7
IMR3031
H322
AA-2230
748
H335
BL-C(2)
IMR-4895
Viht N135
IMR 4064
IMR 4320
Some of the above powders will give you speeds out to 3100 FPS with average being in the 2900 FPS range
The sierra recommended load for accuracy is 25 grain of 748 and the hunting load is IMR 4320 25.4 grains
  So a lot is going to depend on what you want to shoot and what is available and how serious you want to get into accuracy / hunting and reloading
 So breaking it all down to one simple sentence . There is not one universal powder for reloading regardless of what some say...


Disclaimer the above information was taken from the Sierra Rifle reloading Manual 4th Edition

[andersonjk4]

I haven't tried any of the new copper fouling reduction powders, but if I was reloading for high volume shooting such as an AR-15 I would definetly look into them.  Hodgdon recently released CFE-223 specifically for this and IMR has the new IMR-4166 Enduron.  Just a thought. 

[actionshooter]

 I like the performance from Varget, but it doesn't meter the best.
 I have had good luck with H322 and Win 748 in the past also.
 The powder somewhat depends on what bullet you want to shoot.

[DJ_Mack]

The first powder I used for .223, was Western Powders X-Terminator with 55gr v-max bullets.  I hunt small game with it and target shoot.  I found that 22gr gave me sub moa groupings.  But I was a newbie and only bought 1lb.  Just remember that depending on how much you want to reload depends on how much powder you use.  I wish I would have bought as much of it as possible, because I have yet to see it since.  It metered well and shot great.  Whatever you use you will want to buy enough that you can have it on hand.  Now, I have to go through and find out what powder grains I need for whatever powders I can find.  Takes a lot of time.  Good luck.

[thinkingman]

Varget is my first choice.

Varget is probably the most useful rifle powder there is.
Benchmark is another.

[300rum]

Good note, I don't even buy one-pounders anymore.  Order a few 8 lbers online when you find it that way it will be from the same lot too, which can make a difference depending on the powder. 

The first powder I used for .223, was Western Powders X-Terminator with 55gr v-max bullets.  I hunt small game with it and target shoot.  I found that 22gr gave me sub moa groupings.  But I was a newbie and only bought 1lb.  Just remember that depending on how much you want to reload depends on how much powder you use.  I wish I would have bought as much of it as possible, because I have yet to see it since.  It metered well and shot great.  Whatever you use you will want to buy enough that you can have it on hand.  Now, I have to go through and find out what powder grains I need for whatever powders I can find.  Takes a lot of time.  Good luck.

[b23]

Bullet weight has a lot to do with which powder/s work best for said bullet.

I've used a lot of Benchmark.  It's an excellent powder choice for bullets up to about 55 grains.  It'll work for heavier bullets than that but there are better powder choices for the 55 and over bullets. 

H335, Win748, Ramshot TAC, are all good universal powders that can cover a wide range of bullet weights, well. 

Varget is a good powder and usually produces good accuracy but it's bulky and the 223 case is small so you can't hardly get enough of it in the case to produce very good velocities.  It'll work if that's all you have but there are certainly better powders to use in a 223.

[jrebel]

Can't speak for .223 but for .308 the CFE 223 powder works pretty well.  Less is more and volocoties are high.  Start with the lowest reccomended charge
.....it will exceed volocities of other powder max loads.

[Hunting7mm]

Alliant Reloader 10x... 

[usmc74]

I shoot my AR for competition

1:8 twist, 77 gr SMK, 24.1 gr RL-15.

I have hit all 10's at 600 yards.  Not the fastest, but consistent.

Check the reloading page here: http://www.njhighpower.com/

[lokidog]

I shoot my AR for competition

1:8 twist, 77 gr SMK, 24.1 gr RL-15.

I have hit all 10's at 600 yards.  Not the fastest, but consistent.

Check the reloading page here: http://www.njhighpower.com/

Thanks, I need to try some heavier bullets in my 1:8.

[stevemiller]

I shoot my AR for competition

1:8 twist, 77 gr SMK, 24.1 gr RL-15.

I have hit all 10's at 600 yards.  Not the fastest, but consistent.

Check the reloading page here: http://www.njhighpower.com/

1) where do you compete?
             2)where do you get 77 gr.?

[carpsniperg2]

H335, IMR4198, IMR4064 are my go to powders for 223.

[usmc74]

I shoot my AR for competition

1:8 twist, 77 gr SMK, 24.1 gr RL-15.

I have hit all 10's at 600 yards.  Not the fastest, but consistent.

Check the reloading page here: http://www.njhighpower.com/

1) where do you compete?
             2)where do you get 77 gr.?

Cascade range in Ravensdale has the 600 yard range, SVRC has a 200 yd informal shoot every month.  I usually hit a few shoots at each place during the year.
Sierra match king 77 gr....bought my last 500 at Pintos in Renton.  The 77 is the longest you can load to magazine length.  Most shoot 80 gr at 600, because you singleload .  I just make 1 load, so I don't bring the wrong box to the line.

[stevemiller]

Thats awsome thanks for that info.Now how would one get into this competition shooting?Where do I SIGN UP? lol

[usmc74]

Snoqualmie range has a shoot last Sunday each month.
Great place to learn  (no pressure)  They shoot all at 200 yards (target size gets smaller to simulate distance)

They help you learn the positions and procedures...might assign someone to help/coach.  Just let them know you are a beginner.  Don't get all your shots off in time...you can finish as a alibi

Bring an AR15 (closest to looking "stock") Iron sights, web sling,at least 2 magazines (I use straight 20 rd mags), something to lay on, 70 rds ammo or so.  You get practice shots.  I often use M193 ammo here

10 shots standing, slow fire (single load)  10 minutes

10 shots sitting, rapid fire (incl mag change) 1 minute

10 shots prone, rapid fire (incl mag change) 1 minute

20 shots prone, slow fire (single load)  20 minutes

http://www.svrifle.org/CMP_High-Power.html

[thinkingman]

I have some 80r and 90r .223 ammo and can't use it.
HSM factory loads.
PM me if you're interested.

[magnumb]

H335 meters like water and can be used for a wide range of bullet weights and is very accurate.  Varget is a good powder but feels like grinding your teeth when you meter it.

My thinking, as well. 

Bullet weight and powder choice also bears consideration.  50gr.-55gr. V-Max's over H335 does offer plenty to smile about when the 'red mist' flies........ .

[300rum]

I set my my 650 up to throw 23gr of H335 and I can interchange just about any bullet I want to  55's, 60's, 69's. 

H335 meters like water and can be used for a wide range of bullet weights and is very accurate.  Varget is a good powder but feels like grinding your teeth when you meter it.

My thinking, as well. 

Bullet weight and powder choice also bears consideration.  50gr.-55gr. V-Max's over H335 does offer plenty to smile about when the 'red mist' flies........ .

[magnumb]

High 60's on up bullet weights is when twist comes into play for my 3 'Bushies'

I'm thinking, like you have experienced, H335 can do most everything, sans the twist concerns.  If you want to drive yourself nuts 'cuz you're 'throwin' 'em and thinkin' it's you, don't figure your twist into the equation.......

Or.......send some of those 50gr. SSXT's (if I remember correctly) downrange and have nothing on the target..... .  I had a buddy then shoot the same load in my AR and watched to the side and saw that pill evaporate at approx. 80yds downrange.  A puff of grey smoke and I had my answer....to a few things.......   After collecting that particular target, I could have used it as a coffee filter there was so many tiny holes from the 'shrapnel' of my "where in the hell did those rounds go" dilema.