.223 Powder Choice - HALP!

Craftsman 441

Craftsman 441

CGN Regular
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Location
Wainwright
Ok, I'm intending to reload a large volume of .223 Rem with 62gr FMJ's. This will be for my ACR with a 1:8 barrel.

Using a Lee turret progressive press with an Auto Disk Pro powder dispenser, I have reloaded about 1,500 pieces using BLC-2. They all shot fine and it was easy enough to do. Some development, then one recipe and away we go.

Well, now I am restocking and need to decide between BLC-2 and Varget.

BLC-2 is a bit cheaper, builds a lower pressure for the same velocity and is spherical, so it meters very nicely.

Varget is a good 100+ fps faster for the same charge weight and is much less temperature sensitive.

Cost isn't too much of a factor right now and neither is availability.

Also, I make 77gr match loads with Varget. BLC-2 only serves as powder for my 62gr .223 ammo; I don't load any other cartridge with it any more.

What would you use and why?
 
I would stay with a powder like BL-C(2) or Win 748 that meters well out of the measure you use simply because it shoots decent and is easy to mass produce.

I would save the Varget and other slightly less friendly to auto disc powders for the match stuff.
 
Maybe not what you want to hear but I use H335 for 55gr FMJ for semi auto, Benchmark for under 60gr (bolt action) and Varget for 60gr and over (bolt action). I don't even think I've ever seen BLC-2 on a store shelf.
 
I use IMR 4320, not exactly the "trendiest" powder but it's been a solid performer for me in 223 and 308.

It's an often neglected powder despite the fact that it's almost identical to Varget; it also meters much better(short granules).

I've achieved more hits(I only shoot steel with 223) with this powder than any other load I've tried.

Assorted brass(mainly R-P, FC)
CCI small rifle primer
25.0gr IMR4320
55gr Hornady SP
Factory crimped
 
Craftsman 441 said:
Ok, I'm intending to reload a large volume of .223 Rem with 62gr FMJ's. This will be for my ACR with a 1:8 barrel.

Using a Lee turret progressive press with an Auto Disk Pro powder dispenser, I have reloaded about 1,500 pieces using BLC-2. They all shot fine and it was easy enough to do. Some development, then one recipe and away we go.

Well, now I am restocking and need to decide between BLC-2 and Varget.

BLC-2 is a bit cheaper, builds a lower pressure for the same velocity and is spherical, so it meters very nicely.

Varget is a good 100+ fps faster for the same charge weight and is much less temperature sensitive.

Cost isn't too much of a factor right now and neither is availability.

Also, I make 77gr match loads with Varget. BLC-2 only serves as powder for my 62gr .223 ammo; I don't load any other cartridge with it any more.

What would you use and why?
Click to expand...

Of the two you mentioned I would say your descripttion pretty much answers your own question. Varget is not a "friendly" powder for mass loading on a progressive. BLC2 is a great old time powder that has been used for decades in Military auto loaders and meters well, shoots accurate and realtively low pressure. If not it, the other ball powders suggested would be worth a try.
 
Ok. So it sounds like H335 is a powder I should look at also.

Is the temperature sensitivity of BLC-2 or H335 vs Varget something that any of you have noticed? Is it that drastic? When I consider that I can zero for seasons, it's almost negligible. BUT this being Canada, temps can and do change drastically over a day. Is temperature shift a real concern when I consider that I'm firing bulk FMJs out of a carbine.
Probably not, but I want to know what you guys think.
 
H335 and BLC2 are basically the same powder. The slow lots are labeled BLC2 and the fast lots are labeled H335. They were made by Olin as 844 and 846.

For mass production BLC2 is the way to go with 62gr. I load 24gr of it. I tried various charges and found this to be most accurate in my rifle.

For loads that will be near max, Varget is better because of temperature stability.
 
digitalblue said:
I use IMR 4320, not exactly the "trendiest" powder but it's been a solid performer for me in 223 and 308.

It's an often neglected powder despite the fact that it's almost identical to Varget; it also meters much better(short granules).

I've achieved more hits(I only shoot steel with 223) with this powder than any other load I've tried.

Assorted brass(mainly R-P, FC)
CCI small rifle primer
25.0gr IMR4320
55gr Hornady SP
Factory crimped
Click to expand...

for 223 I've used Win748 for years and have always been very happy with the results. Was down to my last pound so I started looking around and discovered IMR4320. I wanted a powder that was suitable for 223 and loading light bullets in 243. Bought 8lbs on sale for $110 great deal! Developed 40gr and 55gr vmax loads but settled in on a 53gr vmax load, 2.280 oal over 25.8gr 4320. It is under max load but is still a compressed load & has been super accurate and clean. As a bonus I read that similar to 748, IMR4320 has a low flame temperature, the lowest flame temperature of all the IMR powders.

http://hummason.com/page03.html (don't know about shipping costs to you in Alberta, might not make sense but thought I would include link anyways)
Hummason also has same deal on IMR 3031 & 4198, powders that are also good for 223
 
Last edited:
AlexF said:
Varget has one huge advantage: it's an extremely safe powder to use in both 223 Rem or 308 Win rifle loads using normal weight bullets.
  • very high loading density
  • not temperature sensitive
I could tell you my expenrience with some ball propellants but simply have a look at this (308 Win data should be very similar to 223 Rem data)
http://www.hodgdon.com/smokeless/extreme/page3.php#308win

Alex
Click to expand...

^This is why I use Varget. That and I can get 8lbs for cheap from a distributor. Oh and I also use it for 308.
 
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