Hi. I am getting ready to start loading .223 with my Lee Turret press. I know how to look up loads, but I am wondering where I should start for plinking rounds and powder that will work well in this press. I will be loading just for plinking at this time in my 1:9 twist AR. Thanks.
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Suggest Powder etc
- Thread starter baddarryl
- Start date
Stats Shooter
New member
You may get a lot of comments here suggesting different powders....But the first thing to do is see what powders suggested are easy to get locally in your area. In my area, IMR, Win, Alliant, and Hodgdon are what I can get.
That said, I run Benchmark for bullets 55gr and below, and Varget for 62 gr and up in .223. they are both extremely temperature stable such that when your chamber gets hot, the powder won't behave differently. They both meter well, they are very clean burning, and they don't spike pressure like some ball powders do.
That said, I run Benchmark for bullets 55gr and below, and Varget for 62 gr and up in .223. they are both extremely temperature stable such that when your chamber gets hot, the powder won't behave differently. They both meter well, they are very clean burning, and they don't spike pressure like some ball powders do.
Hi. I am getting ready to start loading .223 with my Lee Turret press. I know how to look up loads, but I am wondering where I should start for plinking rounds and powder that will work well in this press. I will be loading just for plinking at this time in my 1:9 twist AR. Thanks.
There are several that would work for your needs. What powders do you already have on the shelf that is rifle appropriate?
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Rangerrich99
New member
I like IMR 8208 XBR, CFE223, Varget, and Benchmark, but there are many other powders that would work just fine for your application. I just haven't any experience with them.
As for bullets, I like Hornady 55 gr. spire points (soft point). They're fairly low-cost (usually about .09-.10 cents/rd), and at least out to 100 yards have been pretty accurate; right at 1 MOA. I say that, because I haven't tried to hit anything farther than 100 yards with my plinkers. As yet.
As for bullets, I like Hornady 55 gr. spire points (soft point). They're fairly low-cost (usually about .09-.10 cents/rd), and at least out to 100 yards have been pretty accurate; right at 1 MOA. I say that, because I haven't tried to hit anything farther than 100 yards with my plinkers. As yet.
brasscollector
New member
I have had accurate loads using 55gr Hornady SPs with Varget, BLC2, Benchmark and IMR4320. Best velocity was with Benchmark but all powders could produce 1" groups in my rifle.
There are several that would work for your needs. What powders do you already have on the shelf that is rifle appropriate?
None. That is why I ask.
ligonierbill
New member
Tried a number of them, but TAC and CFE223 work for me.
BL-C(2), H335 and Win748 are good choices that measure very accurately from just about any powder measure (if you use one). Also a few bucks less per lb. I like to load my higher volume ammo with ball powder and a measure, saves time and I've got some very accurate loads with each of those powders.
FWIW, 50gr to 69gr bullets do best in my 1:9s; if you go with FMJ the Hornady 55gr is probably the best accuracy of any but often you can get the Z-max or V-max on sale for similar cost and those tend to be more accurate. When I think of plinking ammo I think volume loading - but I also want my plinking ammo to be accurate.
FWIW, 50gr to 69gr bullets do best in my 1:9s; if you go with FMJ the Hornady 55gr is probably the best accuracy of any but often you can get the Z-max or V-max on sale for similar cost and those tend to be more accurate. When I think of plinking ammo I think volume loading - but I also want my plinking ammo to be accurate.
I too am new to loading rifle; .223 for AR-15 specifically. Been loading for pistol since 1984 though.
I chose AA-2230. Works great for 55 grain bullets; and 65's if you don't need max velocity. I think it would be very well suited for your purpose; especially if you're going with 55 grain bullets.
It's the only rifle powder I've used and it seems to suit my purpose very well. Meters great too. It's good stuff. I got it right the first time.
I chose AA-2230. Works great for 55 grain bullets; and 65's if you don't need max velocity. I think it would be very well suited for your purpose; especially if you're going with 55 grain bullets.
It's the only rifle powder I've used and it seems to suit my purpose very well. Meters great too. It's good stuff. I got it right the first time.
None. That is why I ask.
Then I would suggest Ramshot TAC. It's typically cheaper than other powders and meters like water.
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BD, the good news is that there are at least a dozen powders that work well in the .223. My preferred powder is Ramshot Tac. It has worked well for me with bullets from 40 gr to 77 gr in several different rifles. It meters great out of my RCBS Uniflow measure, it contains a "de-coppering" agent, so you can fire a few hundred rounds without serious accuracy degradation, and it is reasonably priced. I have also used most of the others, with the powder I won't try again being H-4198. If you don't mind weighing individual charges, then extruded (stick powders) powders are fine, I have even loaded IMR-4064 with decent results with 50 to 69 gr bullets. A little on the slow side velocity wise, but acceptable accuracy. IMR 4895 and 8208 XBR also have worked well for me along with Reloder 15, Accurate 2015 and H-4895 and Varget.
For spherical (ball) powders, Accurate 2200, 2230, 2460, Hodgdon H-335, Win 748 and Ramshot Exterminator also work fine and meter much better in a powder measure. These have all worked for me over the years.
Seems like the most popular powders for the .223 are H-335 and Varget, with Accurate 2230 and Ramshot TAC moving up recently. You could try one (or all) of these to find out which one your rifle prefers. Of course you may find out that different bullets prefer different powders, if you are looking for optimal performance.
If you are frugal (like me), you might want to gamble if you find a powder on sale. I ordered 2 8 lb kegs of Ramshot Tac for $79.95 each years ago without having actually tried it in my rifles. Since then, I have gone through those and another 8 pounder. (Guess I should have ordered 4 of them originally...). You might check some online sources and see if anyone has a special sale going on.
For spherical (ball) powders, Accurate 2200, 2230, 2460, Hodgdon H-335, Win 748 and Ramshot Exterminator also work fine and meter much better in a powder measure. These have all worked for me over the years.
Seems like the most popular powders for the .223 are H-335 and Varget, with Accurate 2230 and Ramshot TAC moving up recently. You could try one (or all) of these to find out which one your rifle prefers. Of course you may find out that different bullets prefer different powders, if you are looking for optimal performance.
If you are frugal (like me), you might want to gamble if you find a powder on sale. I ordered 2 8 lb kegs of Ramshot Tac for $79.95 each years ago without having actually tried it in my rifles. Since then, I have gone through those and another 8 pounder. (Guess I should have ordered 4 of them originally...). You might check some online sources and see if anyone has a special sale going on.
Most data lists powders in burning ranges/rates. Pick a powder in the middle of the range suggested by the data for "just plinking loads".
This sort of question highlights the problems/questions that result from "grabbing load data" from the internet or whatever rather than getting 2 or 3 manuals and READING them.
This sort of question highlights the problems/questions that result from "grabbing load data" from the internet or whatever rather than getting 2 or 3 manuals and READING them.
I've had good luck with:
* IMR-4198
* IMR-3031
* IMR-4064
* WW-748
* Benchmark
In a 16 inch barrels, you may find that a fast burning powder like IMR-4198 to be very economical since you can get a load in the neighborhood of 19 grains (368 rounds per pound) to push 55 grain bullets to almost 3,000 fps while something like WW-748 might take 24 grains (292 rounds per pound) to do the same.
* IMR-4198
* IMR-3031
* IMR-4064
* WW-748
* Benchmark
In a 16 inch barrels, you may find that a fast burning powder like IMR-4198 to be very economical since you can get a load in the neighborhood of 19 grains (368 rounds per pound) to push 55 grain bullets to almost 3,000 fps while something like WW-748 might take 24 grains (292 rounds per pound) to do the same.