.223 Powder Choice - HALP!

I recently tested some 55gr FMJs with CCI Nato Primers with loads built up as 26 - 25.5 - 25 - 24.5 - 24 and 23.5 grs of H335 Powder. I found the 26 and 25.5gr loads were the most accurate loads with no sign of overpreassure.
 
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...

I also use 4320 for my .223, it has been very accurate with my 69gr smk.

i use

69gr SMK
24gr 4320
cci br-4 primers
rem brass

i am getting 2923 fps average
 
Reloader 10x - Not to use?

I've been having a heck of a time getting consistent powder dispensed through my dillon 550.. I'm new to reloading for rifle, semi-auto no less and having trouble getting the thing to cycle consistently to boot.
1/9 twist barrel, 55gr Horn SP, started at 23.1gr., 2.25 COL, (wouldn't cycle enough to chamber new cartridge) - Increased charge a few grains, now cycles better, but not 100% everytime.
I think it's the charge fluctuation - Is it the powder?
I've got a pound of H335 here I haven't yet tried out, but i'm starting to think the reloader 10x is causing the issue.. or the powder measure?
 
Seems that CFE 223 was designed for your intended use. Seems to produce great velocities as CanuckWR has stated and is supposed to be the tits for gas guns as it is designed to be a cleaner and remove copper fouling. I shoot varget myself under 69gr nosler CC's and berger 70gr VLD and am more than happy with the results in my savage LRPV.
 
I use WC 735. CHEAP! Only reloading data is "5% faster than H335", so you have to work up the load from there. I use 23 grains with 55gr FMJ through my AR and my Remington 799, it is VERY accurate!
 
Been using Ramshot TAC for a few years and loving it.. great groups (easily under 1"), readily available (especially if you're in Alberta..), meters like water, clean and consistent.. what's not to luv..
 
Utah said:
I've been having a heck of a time getting consistent powder dispensed through my dillon 550.. I'm new to reloading for rifle, semi-auto no less and having trouble getting the thing to cycle consistently to boot.
1/9 twist barrel, 55gr Horn SP, started at 23.1gr., 2.25 COL, (wouldn't cycle enough to chamber new cartridge) - Increased charge a few grains, now cycles better, but not 100% everytime.
I think it's the charge fluctuation - Is it the powder?
I've got a pound of H335 here I haven't yet tried out, but i'm starting to think the reloader 10x is causing the issue.. or the powder measure?
Click to expand...

I have never used 10X so I can't tell you if that is your metering problem with the Dillon 550. I can tell you I did some extensive testing with mine and Benchmark, 8208, and ball powders throw far better and more consistent than Vaget or 4895. This is completely iin line with all other throwers I have tried. With BLC2, H335, and other ball powders you should not vary more than .1 high or low of nominal. With bigger stick this can be as much as .5 either way.

You might find this helpful

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=766251
As you can see, difference in powder charge is not likely what is causing your cycling problems. Gas guns are affected by the burn rate and the round being loaded to a high enough pressure. Reloader 10X is right in the same burn range as BLC2, H335 and 4895 so burn rate likely isn't it. Max load according to Alliant is 24.2 grains with a 50 grain bullet and 23 grain with a 55 grain. You may actually be over pressure if you "went up a few grains from 23.5" and this could be causing extraction problems.

Does the gun cycle factory ammo properly. If it does, I would try to replicate burn rate, speed and pressure with my handloads, and until I found a load that worked well I would be hand weighing and assembling test load batches in lots of 20 rounds. Let us know how you make out.
 
Bolivar said:
What are folks using for 68 Gn loads in 223/5.56? Currently I am using Varget but I want to switch to using my Dillon and figure I need a different, easy to metre powder. What is suggested that is also temperature insensitive (I want to have my cake and eat it too).
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I haven't heard of any sphericals (that meter better then extruded) that are temp insensitive, but that doesn't mean they don't exist...

I have heard that H4198, H4350, H4831 are temp insensitive, but I've never tried them (prefer to stick to my W748 for my AR) :p
 
Those are all 'Extreme' powders so they should be temp insensitive. I think they make H4831 in a Short Cut version.
 
Wow...I'm gonna throw a wrench into the spokes.

I am an avid 223 shooter. Son has T3, I have a Remy Varminter (1:12 twist) and a Ruger Mini-14.

With 40 and 50 grain bullets (does not shoot the 64 grainers too well) and the Remington (slower twist for those little gems I tried, RL-7, H335, RL-10x and Win 748. The best recipe was with Win 748 and a magnum primer (CCI) - literal clover leaf patterns and hundreds of atomized gophers at 150 yards.

With the Ruger, the opposite was true. The twist is 1:9 and it does not like those light pills. It shoots the 64 and 68 grainers very, very well - not exactly clover leafs but groups to fit with nickels and quarters...depending on my rest and how hot the barrel is. The powder of choice is H335 with CCI 400 (regular) primers. The worst was RL-7 for groups.

Now for the T3. That rifle has the fastest twist - approximately 1:8. It does not like the really light stuff or the really heavy stuff. The best I found was the 55 Nosler with H335 edging out the RL-10x and Win 748. It too prefers the regular primers rather than the magnum primer.

Just my experiences.
 
Craftsman 441 said:
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.
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I have noticed BLC(2) is rather temperature sensitive. If I work up a load in the summer, shooting in winter will produce much less impressive groups, although there are other mitigating factors to consider.
 
Craftsman 441 said:
............
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...

For what appears to be your intended use, 100fps should have little bearing on your powder choice.
 
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