I am looking for a new load for .223/5.56, What is the best powder for this cartridge? I know it varies gun to gun but, what do you use? Not really interested in powder charge just type of powder.
Thanks
Ramshot TAC and 55 gr. Hornady FMJBT
Hodgdon H335 and 62 gr. FMJBT SS109 pulls or surplus
I’ve also used Accurate Arms 2230 and 55 gr. IMI bullets with success.
What purpose is the ammunition you intend to load? That matters.
Multigun matches.
Ive had great results with Varget but am also curious what other powders work well. Varget meters decently for me, +/- .1 grain but if I can find something thats exact every time and works just as well I will make the switch.
This is what I am looking for too.
AA2230
H335
Varget
These are the ones I have used,with AA2230 the most !! Works good,meters well,accurate out of my guns !! Good enough for me !! Everyone has there favorites for various reasons,but I would say AA2230 is my Favorite !!!
I mentioned these because they are metered through my Dillon 550 and 650 progressive loader with ease.
My favorite load uses WC844, which is military pull down H335 with flash retardant added. You can get a 8lb keg of it for $90/keg shipped from Hi Tech Ammo if you buy 4 kegs so they cover the HAZMAT. Add some Hornady 55gr FMJ and Wolf primers and I have a load that is pretty accurate a dead reliable from my rifles.
Cost me $118/k to load.
For longer range matches I prefer 69/75/77gr bullets loaded over either Varget, RE15, or TAC.
TAC with 77 SMK and 55 Hornady FMJBT. I have some Nosler 77s on the way - they are supposed to be a good alternative to the SMKs at considerably lower cost.
Varget is OK, but velocity with the 77 grain bullets is on the slower side.
748 has the same treatment as 844&846 mil powder,low flash and cooler burning for longer barrel life and it’s ball powder and will meter well,I’ve used all the powders above and 748 will run with them
I use Ramshot TAC for 55gr training rounds. It also sees duty with 69gr and 77gr bullets for more accurate work.
I’ve also used the following powders with success:
Hodgdon H-335
Winchester W-748
Varget
H-322
I just prefer TAC because it meters so well, and I can use it for all bullet weights I load.
Used AA 2230 in the past - good blasting ammo
Use TAC now, does meter with a Dillon - very good with 55gr and 62gr(FMJ and LC)
I think Ill try the TAC next. Seems comparable to Varget plus more consistent metering.
I’ve found Reloder 15 to be very accurate, and it clocks velocities similar to Varget.
i shoot a lot of TAC behind 55 grain bullets. clean for a ball powder, meters well.
My top performers:
AA2230 for 55 and under
AA2520 for 62 (full cases but GREAT velocity)
Viht 550 for 75-80
WC 846 is the non-cannister grade version of 748 (and BLC2), just like WC 844 is the non-cannister grade version of H335.
Modern Win 748 and Hodgdon BLC2 are the same powder now-a-days (obviously when they were made by different companies that was not the case but today Hodgdon, WW, and IMR are the same powder company).
I think Win 748/WC 846 would be good for heavier bullets. H335/WC 844 would be better for lighter (55/62) bullets.
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Lots of things come into play. I shoot three gun as well and I use heavy bullets for long range and 55 grain FMJ’s for short range stages. I use Vitavory N135 for the heavy bullets and H335 for the FMJ loads. H335 has been the most versatile powder I have used in this cartridge as far as working well with all bullet weights. Not the best in any one weight but good with all of them. As for TAC its been the worst powder I have ever tried. I worked up a lot of loads with it too. In the end I used it up for close range 55 grian loads until it was gone and i will never buy it again.
Pat
Another vote FOR TAC, particularly for the OP’s intended use. What I use so, of course, I favor TAC!