Powder for a bolt action 223

[BULLBLASTER]

I’ve never put much into handloading for 223. I picked up a bolt action rifle and am looking to load bullets in the 69-70 grain range. Was planning to use Varget, but looking at my manuals and Hodgdon website it seems like cfe-223 or blc2 could be good also.

Anyone have experience with either of those?
My rifle has a 26 inch 9 tw barrel.

Thanks

[h20hunter]

Varget all day for me.

[carpsniperg2]

I have 5/ 3 semi 2 bolts in 5.56-223. I run 52-69g sie hpbt in them. I use H335 for all of them. All love that powder bullet combo grains depending on twist.

With a 9 twist you might have more luck with accuracy around 55-60 grains. My 9 won’t group well with heavy bullets my 8 and 7 twist do.

[BULLBLASTER]

H335 was on my list also.
Playing with stability calculators the 69 smk is stable, and the 70 grain Berger vld and nosler rdf are stable in all but the coldest conditions. Stability doesn’t always mean accuracy tho. But I’m going to start there. Luckily 223 bullets are cheap. 

Is h335 ball powder? Very fine granules?

[NWShooter]

I used BLC2 for a long time. Once CFE223 came out, I switched to it and never went back.

[TVHunts]

Varget all day for me.

Ditto

[carpsniperg2]

H335 was on my list also.
Playing with stability calculators the 69 smk is stable, and the 70 grain Berger vld and nosler rdf are stable in all but the coldest conditions. Stability doesn’t always mean accuracy tho. But I’m going to start there. Luckily 223 bullets are cheap. 

Is h335 ball powder? Very fine granules?

Its a very thin flat round shaped powder.

Your running a longer barrel think mine is 24 and 20 that have the 1:9 so 26 might be helping you there. I have tried to get mine to multiple times and just don't have the luck with the 9. I have shot probably 500+ in my life with the smk and my go to 223 bullet. I load about 1000 rounds of it a year goo stuff.

[mountainman]

Varget here..

[b23]

I like using Hodgdon Extreme powders when applicable so for that range of bullet weight in a 223, H4895 & H322, would be my first two choices and Varget would be my third.  You'll get a little more velocity from H4895 and H322 than you will from Varget, but all three are good powders.

[jasnt]

I like h4895 aswell

[outdooraddict]

i used aa2230, I shot a 55 grn vmax.  ball powder meters amazingly smooth. actually was told the 2230, was designed for the 223

[JohnVH]

4198

[AWS]

I started loading the 223 in 1969 with Herters powder, when that dried up 3031 and have been using it ever since.  A mild load under a Speer 52gr FB HP for hunting coyotes, it's accurate and drops them well with no fur damage, what more can you ask from a load.

[BULLBLASTER]

I picked up some components. Going to start with Lapua brass, cci 400 primers, 69 grain nosler custom comps, and cfe-223.

Bullets and powder were chosen mostly because they were cheaper than the other options.   

Waiting on dies, and have no idea when I’ll be able to load for or get out shooting but I got all the parts.

Dang hospital is taking up all my time lately

[BULLBLASTER]

Took my 223 out shooting a bit yesterday. Picked a random seating depth and worked up from 24.5 to 26 grains of cfe223 powder with the 69 cc. Accurate was pretty awesome, well under moa until the scope rings crapped out on me.
They were warne maxima, and wouldn’t tighten down to both the rail and scope at the same time.

[jasnt]

Took my 223 out shooting a bit yesterday. Picked a random seating depth and worked up from 24.5 to 26 grains of cfe223 powder with the 69 cc. Accurate was pretty awesome, well under moa until the scope rings crapped out on me.
They were warne maxima, and wouldn’t tighten down to both the rail and scope at the same time.

ive found with those rings you have toget all the bottom screws tightened up first before even trying the top screws. Hope that helps

[BULLBLASTER]

Took my 223 out shooting a bit yesterday. Picked a random seating depth and worked up from 24.5 to 26 grains of cfe223 powder with the 69 cc. Accurate was pretty awesome, well under moa until the scope rings crapped out on me.
They were warne maxima, and wouldn’t tighten down to both the rail and scope at the same time.

ive found with those rings you have toget all the bottom screws tightened up first before even trying the top screws. Hope that helps

The set I had would allow one set of screws to be tight. It then tightening the other down would loosen the first.    almost like the 1 inch tube opening was too big. 

I’ve used lots of sets of them and never encountered this problem once until this time. Now I’m debating if I should get new rings and use the same scope or save some cash up and get a better scope. 

[NWShooter]

Good to see you are pleased with CFE223. It's clean, accurate and gives top velocities. May want to give Warne a call. Their customer service is top notch. I would be willing to bet they would have a new set of rings headed your way before you have returned the set you have. Warne has always treated me well.

[BULLBLASTER]

Good to see you are pleased with CFE223. It's clean, accurate and gives top velocities. May want to give Warne a call. Their customer service is top notch. I would be willing to bet they would have a new set of rings headed your way before you have returned the set you have. Warne has always treated me well.

The cfe223 seems pretty good. I hit pressure around 2900 FPS with it and 69 grain bullets. Seems about right. More shooting I’ll work a bit more at it.

It’s kind of a pain with how small the granules are but the es over the rounds I chronod was 8 so that’s good. Just have to be more careful measuring and using it. Dryer sheets to keep the static under control.

I already returned the rings. It was just temporary until I could get a better scope and I may just try and make that happen sooner and then I’ll need 30 mm rings anyhow.
No doubt they would have made it right tho.