Preferred powder for .223 Rem?

With 36 & 40gn bullets, I'd use H335. I prefer H322 with the small bullets, but H335 meters easier.
CFE223 and W748 would work, but maybe too slow burning.
 
Looks like lots of options.

Seems like the 223 is a very forgiving round to work with. Lots of choices.

But a lot of the light bullet loads people use are high volume shooters who are banging plates at 50 meters.

And many of the accuracy fellas are loading the heavier bullets for accuracy beyond 500 yards.

I am looking for the utmost in accuracy but in 35-55 grain bullets. (May not even get there with the factory barrel)
Perhaps I will stick to one lb cans first until I find a preferred load, then put in a Higginsons order
 
I have used cfe223 in the past and worked well. I am planning to use cfe223 and 55gr tipped varmageddons in my modern varminter when it's ready. I might even make up some rounds before hand so I can do some load development as soon as it is done and I pick it up. Can you tell I'm excited to get it....
 
Varget for accurate loads under 69gr SMK's usually.
Whatever is cheapest for my just-for-fun rounds for my AR (currently W748 but when I burn my last 2lbs I will switch to Benchmark as I've got a pile spare).
H4198 for my cast low-power loads.
 
Recently picked up some H335 and some 40 grain Sierra BlitzKing bullets.

Its a common enough powder so plan to develop my load using that powder.

Keep it simple for this unproven (fired 20 rounds since getting rifle) factory barrel with unknown round count.

When I rebarrel (in 223 AI or 204 Ruger or ????), then I will perhaps do some more extensive testing.
 
Benchmark is perfect for your application. It's temperature stable, meters well and puts out a lot of speed. If I could have only one powder for 40-55 gr bullets out of a .223 its benchmark.
 
I was using benchmark with 80gr VLD with extremely good results. Anywhere around 1.30" at 300m. Shot one 5 shot group at 500m and it was around 2.5"

22.0gr to be exact with Br4 primers


I am currently working a load with varget to see the difference
 
I still use the Surplus WC-735 with 55 gr and lighter. CFE223 for heavier and for 308, replacing BLC-(2) which was fine, but not new and shiny.
 
Maybe I'm alone on this thought but when I start looking at loads for anything, one factor that matters (to me at least) is availability. I wanted to try Varget in mine based on dozens of recommendations, but I couldn't get it. Seems where I live at least that IMR powders are the safer bet. Even at that I've had to start searching the interweb lately to source what I need. My advice is that once you figure out what your gun likes....stock up. Prices only move one direction and supply always seems to be a question mark.
 
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