Cant help but ask about .223

[Dalua]

I am also a cheapskate. When I started reloading, a couple of the ReloadSwiss powders were available at bargain prices through a couple of sources. 'TR140' for 7.62 use, for example.

At that time, I got 1kg of cheap RS40 for my .223. It's not so cheap now, but it works; and because of the waste of time and compontents involved in changing loads I've stuck with it. I use 52gr AMax bullets.

If I were to change, it would be to a Viht powder - possibly N133, but as my rifle has only 20" of barrel I might be tempted to try N130.

 

[JTO]

It's worth finding out which powders are identical to other makers' products.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Cfe223 with a 55g vmax at 3200 fps or so, ragged hole well over 100

 

[User00043]

I use Reloader 15 with Speer 52grn hollow point heads a load that has served me well for over 30 years

 

[waterford103]

Ramshot TAC , cheap , flows well , meters perfectly , excellent repeatable velocities and did I mention CHEAP .

 

[mickeyluv]

Another vote for 322, it was the first powder I tried when I started reloading and haven't felt the need to try anything else since.

 

[ChesterP]

I use Viht N133. Cheapest per Kg available and one of the best imho for .223 in lighter bullet weights up to 60gr (3150 fps with a good safety of margin on pressures). Clean burning, and produces excellent velocities. I get sub moa groups all day long using 60gr V-Max bullets with it.

Another one which produces excellent results is the Swiss Reload RS40 propellant. Similar to the Viht.

You'll get dozens of different answers because there are so many powders suited to this calibre from Ramshot TAC, CFE 223, Hogden Powders, Varget, Viht and RS. It's such a versatile little calibre and so easy to load for, just pick a powder that you can get reliably that is the correct burn rate for calibre/bullet weight.

 

[takbok]

Ramshot TAC , cheap , flows well , meters perfectly , excellent repeatable velocities and did I mention CHEAP .

Where do you get it cheap locally? I've had to pay about £43 a tub at the local gun shop.

 

[Backstraps]

I have used a lot of H335, TAC, and CFE223 in the 223 Rem. You would be very happy with any of them, all consistent and accurate for 223. All will meter well and should provide very nice accuracy. In the margins I would say:
- H335 - burns a little faster so charging densities will be slight lower, with the lighter (50 gr) bullets you plan to use the velocity should be pretty good, but uf you were running heavier bullets (ie 65+ Gr) you would have substantially less velocity compared to the other powders. More temperature variations than some powders (probably not an issue with max temps in UK, and also more carbon fouling than most powders but that probably won't be noticed in a bolt action.
- TAC - Great powder, very versatile, clean, and accurate. Though not highlighted in the marketing much, it also has an anti-coppering agent like the CFE223 (probably tin), and in my experience is a little more temp stable than most powders.
- CFE223 - Higher charging densities and truly superior velocity.
*Another great powder is Hogdon's Varget. Terrific accuracy & temp stability & overall performance in 223, but it is a stick powder and I stopped buying it after a few pounds since there are so many nice 223 powders that flow through the measure so well.

 

[User00033]

I've used Benchmark 1, N133, Varget, Win 748, AR2206H, H335. No difference between them in accuracy terms. Agree with earlier comments about .223 being a very easy calibre to load for. In the field it makes no difference at all which powder I have behind the pill, which will be either Nosler Varmageddon, Sierra Blitzking or Berger Varmint, all in 55gr.

 

[whinfell]

H335 and 55g vmax works well in my rifle.

 

[nightcrow]

I'm not interested in hot loads ,with a starting load of 20.8 and a 50gn v max with n133,roughly what weight charge will equate to a factory load?

 

[Muir]

I'm not interested in hot loads ,with a starting load of 20.8 and a 50gn v max with n133,roughly what weight charge will equate to a factory load?

Whose factory load? See what speed your factory load of choice produces and then look at the data. That will be your answer.... or as close as you will get to it. No offense, but you seem to want everything laid out for you ahead of time. It just doesn't work that way: Every time you load for a new rifle you are inventing that wheel again. You chose a load. Go load it and shoot it.~Muir

 

[nightcrow]

Right,thankyou.

 

[Maidment78]

I tried H335 and H4895 and founf the H4895 more consistant in my loads in my rifle,

Tikka T3 Varmint SS
H4895
CCI Primer
26.1 powder
55 Seirra Blitzking heads
20 thou jump

But this is for my rifle,,,,,