What Powder Do You Recommend For .223?

[HeavyTread]

Yeah. How unbelievable is that?

I'm just glad I know about this powder now. For high volume plinking, with bulk FMJ bullets, it's going to be something I very seriously look at when I finally get around to building my AR.

Can't really go wrong for $17 per pound..

 

[silverfoxdj]

Have a look at Hodgdon's load data. Benchmark lists higher velocities than H335 and IMR 8208 XBR for 69 gr. bullets, and isn't far off from Varget. Its cleaner than Varget with 69's and you can load it on a progressive and get decent results, even at longer ranges.

Many thanks.. so If I wanted to move to 200-300 Benchmark would be preferred ?

 

[beefman]

Yeah.. it's crazy. I'm in Ottawa (from Toronto) for business next week and decided to drive the 5 hours each direction, instead of flying, just to visit Higginson's.

You should have put in your order a week ago when Varget was 1st advertised...He only got about 600lbs, and that was sold out in 3-4 days.

Luckily I picked up enough to last awhile, along with 7lbs of WC 735. It required an substantial investment.

You could always try "Superformance" for you .223

 

[Holleyman]

I tried Benchmark, Varget, 4895 and 3031, all shoot well.
Since I have 20+ lbs of 3031 I usually use 24.4 gr of 3031 under a 55 grain V-Max (slight compressed load) in Winchester brass, good accuracy and the gophers hate it. Specs out at about 3270 FPS from a 26" Ruger target barrel.

 

[kombayotch]

Many thanks.. so If I wanted to move to 200-300 Benchmark would be preferred ?

I shoot it out to 500m with 69's and 77's. Whether of not its preferred is up to you. For me, the advantages of being able to throw a temperature stable powder are whats important.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I shoot it out to 500m with 69's and 77's. Whether of not its preferred is up to you. For me, the advantages of being able to throw a temperature stable powder are whats important.

Thanks..

 

[twig_40]

is there a lot of data available for wc735?

 

[Wired leader]

Totally crazy out there...I know Higginson powders updated site last week saying order would be in late week. I assumed I would drive out Saturday morning...but by Friday morning everything I wanted was gone.

Beefman: Was that 600 pounds of Varget alone? ...That is one popular powder.

 

[beefman]

Totally crazy out there...I know Higginson powders updated site last week saying order would be in late week. I assumed I would drive out Saturday morning...but by Friday morning everything I wanted was gone.

Beefman: Was that 600 pounds of Varget alone? ...That is one popular powder.

Yes. He could probably sell 6000lbs if he could get it.

 

[.Ben]

How is there still a powder shortage?

what is the reason now?

To the OP I did some limited reloading of .223 Varget worked well.

actually Varget works well in everything it seems.

 

[kennymo]

Totally crazy out there...I know Higginson powders updated site last week saying order would be in late week. I assumed I would drive out Saturday morning...but by Friday morning everything I wanted was gone.

Beefman: Was that 600 pounds of Varget alone? ...That is one popular powder.

Cabelas got a similar order in this fall. I happened to be in the store when it showed up and snagged two pounds for the 223. The rest was gone within hours. Stock was down 50 lbs from the time I spoke with the guy at the firearms desk to walking over to the cashier.