What Powder Do You Recommend For .223?

[ccain]

Hi all. I apologize if this has been asked before. I searched through the forums and could not find what I was looking for.

I have been loading for 9x19 and 45ACP for the past year and have decided to start loading for my AR. I have a Colt LE6920 upper with a 1/7" twist. I have all the press-related items I need, including brass and bullets. I picked up some Hornady 75gr BTHP since I've read the heavier bullets are better utilized in a 1/7" twist barrel.

What I now need to buy is powder and primers. Will any brand of Small Rifle Primers work well enough, or should I use a certain brand? And, what powder would you recommend? For the immediate future I will be using the rifle for basic range target shooting, and I have enrolled in both of TDSA's Tactical Rifle courses for later this year. So, I want to load something that will be accurate, consistent, and forgiving since I will have a few days where I'll be shooting upwards of 500 rounds in a single day.

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I use CCI primers for my BR rifle and Varget on a recomendation from a reseller here and it has been great at 100 yds..

 

[polaris]

Varget

 

[JimDuncan]

IMR 4198 powder.

Burns clean, long shelf life.

Check your loading data and charge weight carefully, long grain rifle powders can meter a little different than pistol types.

 

[cr5]

I like IMR4198 and CFE223. I've tried Varget for a few loads but didn't have the best results.

 

[dogzilla]

My match AR really likes cfe .223 and 68 gr bullets. The added benefit is that it meters excellent, so you can just throw the charge. Also, just because you have a 1/7 twist doesn't mean you can't use 55's. 75 gr bullets can be hard to get and pricey. I use 55's for plinking and 68's if I am shooting for accuracy,

 

[billdick]

I use imr 4320

 

[Melnibonean]

W748 for practice, CQB, and general plinking. Low flame temp means (supposedly) prolonged barrel life.
IMR 8208XBR whenever the need to compete in a bench rest event overtakes me.

 

[huntersmith]

Varget

I have tryed many, and always go back to Varget.

 

[rookie wildcat]

I recommend the powder used to load 5.56x45mm rounds. Higginson's sells it. WC735. It's surplus powder. And $17 a lb.

 

[skypilot]

varget......

 

[Dynamic1]

H 4895 and IMR 4895 have worked VERY well for me, particularly with Hornaday 50 gr V-Max, 53 gr HP Match and 68 gr BTHP.

 

[ffgats]

For the 55 bullet- WW748,and H335 and Vhit 540
75"s -Vhitavouri N140,N135

 

[hexbasher]

blc2

 

[Lefty Dick]

Benchmark

 

[saskcop]

I fall very much into the WC735 camp. W748 is another favourite.

 

[kharlingca]

My 3 gun .223 ammo is as follows

55g bulk FMJ honardy
23.5gr of H335
Mixed Brass WIN, FC, R&P
S&B small rifle primers

tested and tried at 3 gun matches from Quebec to Florida
and from 5M out to 600M (Florida)
.75 MOA at 100m

rifle is RRA AR15 with 16"
scope is barska 1-4X

 

[762shooter]

I have tryed many, and always go back to Varget.

I too use Varget for precision shooting but use WC 735 for plinking and playing.

 

[Trinimon]

CFE223, Varget and H4895 works well for me.

 

[VooDooMan]

Dont listen to them. H335 is the best.... its made for 223.