223 Powders

Many excellent substitutes to Varget. My general plinking gas gun 223/5.56 powder is Win 748. Also a great powder for .308 ! I save my Varg for precision work. (I'm not saying w748 isnt accurate btw), the disadvantage with w748 from my experience is the temp instability, which i simply revert to my data and tweak powder charges as required to match ambient temps.
 
ninosdemente said:
I do have IMR 4064 but have avoided using it due to the bulkiness.
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You need a drop tube or to set the cases on a vibrating surface to shake it down.

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Old School,

With my Savage 12 FV .223 bolt action with a 26-inch factory barrel loaded for 1.361 msec exit time:

Powder - Bullet -- Vel. Range
N140 ---77 SMK - 2599 fps
N140 ---77 TMK - 2592 fps
IMR4166 77 SMK - 2549 fps
IMR4166 77 TMK - 2539 fps

For the Les Baer Super Varmint .223 with an 18-inch 416R barrel loaded for 0.899 msec exit time:
N140 ---77 SMK - 2635 fps
N140 ---77 TMK - 2640 fps
CFE223 -77 SMK - 2730 fps
CFE223 -77 TMK - 2673 fps
RL-15 ---77 SMK - 2685 fps
RL-15 ---77 TMK - 2675 fps
H4895 --77 SMK -2700 fps
 
I use 77grain bullets in both my bolt and semi rifles. For powders I use cfe223 and 8208xbr for the two types of rifles.
 
Rimfire5 said:
Old School,

With my Savage 12 FV .223 bolt action with a 26-inch factory barrel loaded for 1.361 msec exit time:

Powder - Bullet -- Vel. Range
N140 ---77 SMK - 2599 fps
N140 ---77 TMK - 2592 fps
IMR4166 77 SMK - 2549 fps
IMR4166 77 TMK - 2539 fps

For the Les Baer Super Varmint .223 with an 18-inch 416R barrel loaded for 0.899 msec exit time:
N140 ---77 SMK - 2635 fps
N140 ---77 TMK - 2640 fps
CFE223 -77 SMK - 2730 fps
CFE223 -77 TMK - 2673 fps
RL-15 ---77 SMK - 2685 fps
RL-15 ---77 TMK - 2675 fps
H4895 --77 SMK -2700 fps
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Excellent. Thank you!

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Rimfire5, thanks for your post. I too also have a Savage 12 FV .223 and 6.5 creed.

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I do have a 1lb of H322, unopened. I originally got that to make .223 for when I had people come with me to the range so they have something to shoot. I didn't want to use up my "good" components. Thanks again for the list, I will compile and take it to Cabelas to see what they have.

Up to date, I have not tried testing different powders, only projectiles. Hopefully will get some good results.
 
Unfortunately I don't have much data to compare to. To be honest I started with Varget as I did asked for help when I started loading .223 and Varget was the #1 response so I just wen with it. As of now the most mentioned powders are H335, H4895, CFE223. The second to be mentioned are w748, IMR 3031, RL 15, IMR 8208 XBR, and IMR 4166. I do strive for accuracy but I have been spending much more time experimenting with the Savage 12FV 6.5 Creedmoore, I somewhat negated the .223. Therefor I ended up buying more powder for the 6.5 Creed instead of getting some Varget. I do have 2 - 1 lbs but rather save that and will use to compare when I get the other powder as well.

I found this table where it shows AR2208, IMR 4064 and AA2520 as equivalents to Varget. http://www.adi-powders.com.au/powder-equivalents/
 
I've had real good results with Accurate 2230 and 55grs loads. I haven't tried anything heavier myself (yet) but there is data for 223 going from 30grs up to 90grs (ie everything).
 
I use Hornady 75 gen OTM and they stabilize just fine in 1:9" twist. There are stability calculators that will tell you that. Then try them.
To identify powders that will work well, look at all the online load data available. Consider powders that will give you max fps for each bullet. Those are the best suited powders, and often the most accurate.
 
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I use Accurate LT-32. And yes the 75gr OTM bullets seem to stabilize ok in my Mini-14 at 1:9 in 16”.


Andrew - Lancaster, CA
NRA Life Member, CRPA member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / FPC / CCRKBA / GOA / NAGR / NRA-ILA contributor, USCCA member - Support your defenders!
 
So I just came back from Cabela's and they only had 1 Benchmark so I took it. Went to get some primers also and first time I see all primers gone. Luckily I was able to get a couple hundred last week. Guess should have asked last week, lol.

Online, there are a lot of powders that are out of stock as well. Bummer. Guess, will have to be online constantly to see what I can get at this point.

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Thanks Marco, helpful information for me.
 
ninosdemente said:
So I just came back from Cabela's and they only had 1 Benchmark so I took it.
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Funny you mention Benchmark, this was the same powder I was forced to buy back in the 2013-2014 powder panic. While Benchmark is not "the" ideal .223 versatile powder it certainly can be made to shoot well. After load testing my outcome was that I realized that Benchmark favored .223's lighter 52-55 gr bullets in my AR-15 24" bbl. Varmint. I tried 69's and the consistency definitely diminished. YMMV
 
Then maybe I can use benchmark to use for general plinking loads. I definitely don't have other projectiles to test (other than 69gr). Have Sierra TMK, Nosler CC and Sierra MK HPBT. I do have fmj Hornady 55gr (pulled bullets) which is meant for general plinking, not really testing. Guess wouldn't hurt to try since I don't have anything else.
 
One thing I have found in loading for my .223 caliber AR’s with the various powders I’ve tried over the last 8 years, most any of them can shoot 2 MOA with proper hand loads. This is the list of powders I’ve tried over the years, H335, IMR4064, RE15, Benchmark, Varget, BlC2, and H4895. And realistically there is nothing wrong with a 2MOA load in the real world. And using premium bullets and careful hand loading consistent sub MOA loads can be achieved.
 
Benchmark is great for lighter bullets. Topped with 53gr eldm they hold well under moa out to 400 for me. .3-.4 moa to 200. 400 never measured, just consistent hits on moa steel at that range.


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Call me crazy but the best groups I can get for my 20" PSA CHF is with W748 and 77g TMKs. 3/8" at 150 yards. Meters very well, I trickle every Rd.
 
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