Cant help but ask about .223

bish789

Well-Known Member
Hi all
Before I get the have you done a search? question, then yes I have.
I'm starting to reload .223 which is meant for foxing this weekend, and can't find any kind of consistency on recommended powders.
I use Viht for my 6.5, and that seems to be a consistent recommended powder for that calibre.
I'd like to use Hodgdon at first as it's a smaller tub, and nearly if not half the price (yes I'm a cheapskate as well:lol:) just in case I don't like it.
Getting the rifle itself tomorrow, either a Browning Abolt, or a CZ527, and will be using Hornady SP 50gr bullets.
So what do you all use?
The number of replies I get which lists the same powder the most will be the one I try.
Why, because I don't want to reinvent the wheel, and you guys are all users so I have a degree of trust in your answers.
Not asking for your loading grains, as I'll try that myself and find the rifle's sweet spot.
Many thanks for your replies (says he with trepidation)
:thumb:
 
BLC2 works well with light bullets it's a ball powder and meters well. I use Vihtavori 140 in my 223 but using 75 and 80 grain bullets.
 
I'm running low on Samson factory ammo, so I've started to reload. I'm using a Lee Loader with RCBS powder scales+trickler with Benchmark powder, but haven't tried the reloaded ammo yet. Been too busy working up a 284W F-Class load.
 
You can also get Viht powders in smaller 1/2 kilo tubs if you look around and it's cheaper than American powder
 
Viht N133. Ideally suited to 223 and 50-55gn bullets.

If you prefer a ball powder, H335 is the canister version of the General Dynamics / St. Marks Powder Co. propellant in commercial US M193 5.56 and many civilian 223 clones with the 55gn FMJBT bullet and is very popular in the USA for handloading 50-55gn bullets. Even better still is the much newer and more advanced Hodgdon CFE223 which according to Hodgdon gives another 150 fps. Ive used it successfully in 223 but not with this weight of bullet. It is cleaner burning than older ball propellants such as H335, and incorporates an anti-coppering agent (which does work).

N133 would be my choice followed by CFE223. Either will work very well, but ball powders like CFE are ideal for throwing consistent charges from conventional mechanical (rotating drum type) powder measures. (Not well suited to electronic powder dispensers like the RCBS Charge Master though - flows too easily and escapes over the bench, worse into the electronic scales interior where it fouls things up.)
 
Well up to now it's N133 unless i'm mistaken.
Thanks all for replying.
Now i just have to decide which rifle, the CZ527, or the browning A bolt
 
I have used N133 for a few people's 223 s using 50 gr V max bullets but recently started on a guys 223 using N120. As its a faster powder a cheapskate will be pleased to note that less powder is necessary to get the N133 fps. After promising results using this N120 on an OCW test, the two best were shot again with a 20 thou difference in the seating.


Stuart B Final 223 test 001.jpg
 
I have used H322, Benchmark with excellent results.
When they became hard to get hold of I changed to N130, N133 and N140, all excellent and Vhit are clean burning powders.
Never tried N120 but have thought about it due to the low charge weight required.
Up to a bullet weight of 50 grn it should be good.

Based on your choice I would go with the CZ. I would look at the Howa as well.
 
Back
Top