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Slug870

Slug870

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Hey all,

So I am at the point where I have prepped a load of IVI 5.56 brass (de-prime, tumble, swage, size with RCBS small base .223 die, trim, chamfer, de-burr, prime) and now i am sitting poised to charge cases; but I am having difficulty selecting a powder... From speaking to folks who are loading for their ARs and from reading, I have narrowed it down to three choices;

1. H4895
2. H335
3. CFE223

What I would like to ask is from those using any/all of these powders, can you comment on your experience? I'm looking for info on metering, performance and a big one - temperature sensitivity. I welcome any other info you might like to pass on.

These loads will be for my ARs for general plinking, and perhaps some distance (300-400m) using the following;

IVI once fired brass
CCI #41 primers
Campro 55gr FMJ bullets

Thank you.
 
H335 and CFE223 are much easier to run through a powder measure for bulk reloading. H4895 as a powder has excellent temperature characteristics, but I have gone to CFE223 just for ease of loading.
 
twosmokinspades said:
Cfe223. It was made for the ar platform.
I personally use varget and 77 berger. Easy 1/2 moa in a quality gun.
Click to expand...

Varget and 69gr SMK's for me, I found the Bergers to be too sensitive to seating depth (but if they work for you that's great, the BC on those bullets are very good for the weight). I also have a good load with H4895 and 68gr Hornady HPBT's. For bulk plinking I use Campro or Hornady 55gr bullets and BLC(2). I also picked up some of those new 70gr Nosler RDF bullets that I'm looking forward to trying.
 
saskcop said:
H335 and CFE223 are much easier to run through a powder measure for bulk reloading. H4895 as a powder has excellent temperature characteristics, but I have gone to CFE223 just for ease of loading.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your post.

What made you go with CFE223 over H335? Any particular reason, or just an arbitrary decision?
 
It is interesting to see Varget mentioned a couple of times already. I use Varget in my .223 "precision" rifle, however the other choices which I mentioned in my initial post seem to pop up more when discussing loading for the AR platform.
 
Varget would be an excellent choice, especially with heavier bullets. But it does not meter as well as the two ball powders he mentioned.

For plinker grade ammo, I would chose a ball powder.
 
Slug870 said:
It is interesting to see Varget mentioned a couple of times already. I use Varget in my .223 "precision" rifle, however the other choices which I mentioned in my initial post seem to pop up more when discussing loading for the AR platform.
Click to expand...

Varget is a very temperature stable single base extruded stick powder. This means that if you're in -20 or +30 C your loads will have a reasonably consistent velocity. Most ball powders are double base and are much more temperature sensitive, so you have a velocity change when shooting at higher or lower temperatures than what you developed your load at. I use ball powders (BLC(2)) for my plinking loads as they meter well in powder dispensers. Stick powders don't meter well so you need either an electronic powder dispenser or lots of patience.
 
Ar180shooter said:
Varget is a very temperature stable single base extruded stick powder. This means that if you're in -20 or +30 C your loads will have a reasonably consistent velocity. Most ball powders are double base and are much more temperature sensitive, so you have a velocity change when shooting at higher or lower temperatures than what you developed your load at. I use ball powders (BLC(2)) for my plinking loads as they meter well in powder dispensers. Stick powders don't meter well so you need either an electronic powder dispenser or lots of patience.
Click to expand...

Excellent information, thank you!
 
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