I am about as green as you can get to reloading. I just picked up an RCBS supreme master kit and a set of RCBS dies as a first purchase. My next trip to the store is going to entail choosing a tumbler, and getting some bullets and powder. I am shooting for accuracy from my 1:9 twist savage bolt action. I am going to experiment with bullet weights ranging from 55 to 69 grain. My question is this. what powder would you recommend as a good starter powder. Both for good results as well as ease of working with. I really appreciate your input. Thanks.
powder recommendation for .223 bolt
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Farlsincharge
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Varget would be my choice. Benchmark works good on the lower weights you mentioned as well.
Both are extreme powders, benchmark meters very nicely.
Both are extreme powders, benchmark meters very nicely.
ultimate_monkey
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- victoria BC
x2 for varget, did great for me in my old .223 and i will be useing it as a starting point in my new 223 when i get glass
but depending on what method of dispensing your useing, you might have better luck with a ball powder
but depending on what method of dispensing your useing, you might have better luck with a ball powder
Do you mean extruded powder? Varget is kind of gritty to meter/reload.
H322 works very well, very accurate and very easy to meter.
If I would only reload for the 223, this would be the powder.
Today my only powder for all rifle reloading is Varget, while not perfect for all applications, it is very versatile and works well enough for my needs.
Yup.
boltonscouter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- parts unknown
+2
Meter VERY nicely and burns clean. I've been using it for about a year and am very happy!
Recipe will depend on what you're planning to do with the rifle..I mostly shoot at an indoor 50yd range and my Tikka T3 will shoot dime size groups all day with a reduced load..
I use 6.5gr of Unique with Hornady 55gr FMJBT bulk bullets
+2
Meter VERY nicely and burns clean. I've been using it for about a year and am very happy!
I hear ya. Since I tried it, I ordered about 15 lbs of it and have not looked back. It does burn cleaner than I thought it would. Works in some .308 loads as well as other calibers too. For the price, it cannot be beaten.
boltonscouter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- parts unknown
I use 24 grains WC735 under a 55 grn VMAX or the SMK's and get excellent accuracy & consistency at 100 yrds. COAL is 2.25" CCI 200 primer
Not a load found in books but my own recipe. YMMV
No idea of velocity as I don't own a chrony but I'm after accuracy so the target tells the tale.
Benchmark and Varget are my top choices, but there's a ton of powders that work well in the 223; 4064 and RL-10x as well as RL-15 are often overlooked, H-322 works well as does WC-735. BL-c(2), the 4198's and 4895's are also common choices. Basically, the 223 is well suited to a wide variety of powders, and a great number of them give very good results.
