Preferred powder for .223 Rem?

[surfclod]

Getting all the components together to start loading 223 Rem ammo.

Wondering what powder I should go with.

The rifle has a 1-12 twist barrel and I plan to shoot gophers with it out to a maximum range of 500 yards. Thus it will be lighter bullets that I will be using, likely 40 grain Hornady V-max, (but perhaps a light as the Barnes 36 grain Varmint grenade or as heavy as a 55 grain Sierra or Hornady offering).

So far my short list are

Hodgden Powders;

• H332
• Benchmark
• H335
• CFE 223

IMR

• 8208XBR

Winchester

• W-748

My goal is

• #1 ACCURACY
• #2 Ease of metering
• #2 Velocity

The plan is to buy in bulk and stack it high and deep.

 

[hoochie]

W748 meters very well. I use it, or BLC-2
I would work up a load that you are very happy with, then stock up on it. No sense it going by what others say if it doesn't work in your rifle. Then you get stuck with a bunch of powder and a load you aren't so happy with.

 

[supernova]

H335 meters great and shoots great. Excellent powder with 55s.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I'd go with Benchmark

 

[Prairie Plinker]

I've used a few powders now with my .223 but only H322 so far with the 40gr'ers. It was my most accurate load yet out of all the different bullet/powder combinations I've tried so far.

 

[Hitzy]

Varget and RL15 are my go to accuracy powders for .223
I also like the Speer TNT 50-55gr for dusting critters.

 

[cigarbufff]

I've had great success with Varget

 

[Auggie Doggie]

Varget and CFE223.

Auggie D.

 

[Phat Eagle]

CFE223, Ramshot TAC and XBR8208 for me. That said, I'm pushing 77gr SMKs through a 1/7 barrel...

 

[j_06]

I've had excellent results with h322 and varget for 55gr and 75gr respectively.

 

[Magmalis]

I like to use varget for anything .223 and imr 4198 for my 55grain pills and lighter

 

[stubblejumper]

CFE 223 is working very well with the 69gr TMK, but I haven't tried on on lighter bullets.

 

[freedomintheskies]

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1358822-Reloading-223

 

[sgt.rock]

I've tried about 10 different powders for .223 and RELOADER 15 has given me the best accuracy and top speeds to boot.

 

[dogzilla]

Cfe 223

 

[Brianma65]

My buddy has a 22-50 and I had an XCR-L 223. We were both getting excellent results with CFE 223 and Hornady V-Max 53 g projectiles.

 

[jongun]

CFE223 is what I use with 55gn vmax as a hunting load. I use 4198 with my fmj plinking loads.

 

[terry_g]

I have 3, 1 in 9" twist .223s. I shoot mostly 55 and 60 grain bullets through them.
I have used IMR 4895, Varget and Benchmark all with excellent results.
I really like the way Benchmark meters through my Hornady L+L powder measure.

Terry

 

[IvoB]

I have a Weatherby in 1-12 twist loaded up 40 rounds using 55g and H322 powder in order to break in the barrel note coal is 2.260 after break in is completed will work up a load using 40-52 grain bullets - like others said work up a load for your particular rifle and stick with it

 

[Klebelenator]

For my Keltec su-16 and my Mossberg mvp I use H4198 & H322 for my reloads. Usually shoot 45-55 gr projectiles. Works for me.