powder preferance for AR in 223
- Thread starter champ198
- Start date
Any ball powder so I can use my progressive. Like others I get way to much variation with thrown charges of varget on my progressive. I've used TAC, WIN 748, H335, and AA2460 with great results. AA2460 has worked very well in my match ar with 52 grain bullets and it meters very well. I've also used IMR 4895 with good results but that was off the progressive. I've not found the AR's to be picky on the powder.
arlaunch
Active member
Originally Posted By: 6724people say its temp sensitive but it has never been an issue for me. Been running 748 for 18 years. I tried 8208, but couldn't get the same accuracy out of it.
Used some wc846(blc2) for a while, had great luck with it too. If I could find more of it surplus, I would buy it.
What bullets do you have the best success with when loading 748?
I am interested in your short list. If you would share?
Used some wc846(blc2) for a while, had great luck with it too. If I could find more of it surplus, I would buy it.
What bullets do you have the best success with when loading 748?
I am interested in your short list. If you would share?
Originally Posted By: arlaunchOriginally Posted By: 6724people say its temp sensitive but it has never been an issue for me. Been running 748 for 18 years. I tried 8208, but couldn't get the same accuracy out of it.
Used some wc846(blc2) for a while, had great luck with it too. If I could find more of it surplus, I would buy it.
What bullets do you have the best success with when loading 748?
I am interested in your short list. If you would share?
I have tried many for coyotes. 55gr Hornady spire points, 55gr winchester power points, 60gr sierra, and others. But, once I started using 55gr v-max I have had not need to look any further. I get consistent groups of about 3/4" or less out of three different rifles with the same load, and I find their performance on coyotes excellent.
Used some wc846(blc2) for a while, had great luck with it too. If I could find more of it surplus, I would buy it.
What bullets do you have the best success with when loading 748?
I am interested in your short list. If you would share?
I have tried many for coyotes. 55gr Hornady spire points, 55gr winchester power points, 60gr sierra, and others. But, once I started using 55gr v-max I have had not need to look any further. I get consistent groups of about 3/4" or less out of three different rifles with the same load, and I find their performance on coyotes excellent.
desert_rider
New member
Originally Posted By: 6724Originally Posted By: arlaunchOriginally Posted By: 6724people say its temp sensitive but it has never been an issue for me. Been running 748 for 18 years. I tried 8208, but couldn't get the same accuracy out of it.
Used some wc846(blc2) for a while, had great luck with it too. If I could find more of it surplus, I would buy it.
What bullets do you have the best success with when loading 748?
I am interested in your short list. If you would share?
I have tried many for coyotes. 55gr Hornady spire points, 55gr winchester power points, 60gr sierra, and others. But, once I started using 55gr v-max I have had not need to look any further. I get consistent groups of about 3/4" or less out of three different rifles with the same load, and I find their performance on coyotes excellent.
Do Tell! Do you mind sharing? Since Cabela's discontinued my favorite factory load I'm back to reloading for the 223
Used some wc846(blc2) for a while, had great luck with it too. If I could find more of it surplus, I would buy it.
What bullets do you have the best success with when loading 748?
I am interested in your short list. If you would share?
I have tried many for coyotes. 55gr Hornady spire points, 55gr winchester power points, 60gr sierra, and others. But, once I started using 55gr v-max I have had not need to look any further. I get consistent groups of about 3/4" or less out of three different rifles with the same load, and I find their performance on coyotes excellent.
Do Tell! Do you mind sharing? Since Cabela's discontinued my favorite factory load I'm back to reloading for the 223
Huffranger
New member
H335 for me
Smokeless
New member
Originally Posted By: GLShooterRL 10 can carry the mail sometimes. 2200 kicks butt too.
Greg
Over the years a lot of folks have complained about carbon build up and carbon rings with 10x. I've shot a small truck load of it and don't see the problem. Accurate, darn good powder. JME.
Greg
Over the years a lot of folks have complained about carbon build up and carbon rings with 10x. I've shot a small truck load of it and don't see the problem. Accurate, darn good powder. JME.
Originally Posted By: bambambamIMR 4198 with 55gr,tried cfe223 neither of my AR's like it.Benchmark was ok as was Varget.H4895 would be the second choice doesn"t group as well as the IMR but good enough. My Ar's don't like cfe 223 either.They like AA2015, imr 4320, h4895, h335, i never get any surprises shooting these powders when i go look at the target. Forgot to add the 4198's.
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In re-reading this thread, one thing becomes very apparent. The 223 is not too picky as to preference on powder(s).
Over the years, my load development usually ends when I identify an accurate load, which meets the velocity requirements for the particular task at hand (punching paper in competition years ago or more recently hunting a particular critter). Usually accuracy standard is moa, sometimes less, but have been known to sacrifice a bit of accuracy in favor of terminal energy (depending upon the size of the target and how close I anticipate being to said target.
).
As stated previously, my pet powder for the 223 (in the several AR and bolt guns in which I have tested) is H335*. This load meets both accuracy and terminal energy (coyotes to 300/hogs to 100)requirements above out to 300 yards. Note: This load exceeds max. in most books but has not shown any pressure signs in those rifles in which I have tested. Start low and work up!
As an example of another hunting load development, I have a very accurate (5/8 moa) load for my pet .338 WM* w/210 NP and 200 NAB which prints same POI and am very fortunate that it is hard hitting and very accurate both. This was an annual zero check with the two different bullets. (Had previously sighted rifle an inch high at 100, wanted 100 yd zero, so made sight change after shot #1) Near max. load, start low & work up)
I am currently in the process of choosing a load for this rifle, using 265gr Nosler ABLR or 300gr Swift A-Frames, hopefully to be used to harvest an eland cow.
The intention is to pick the hardest hitting load possible, as the eland cow can weigh up to 1200#. Since I expect to be able to get within 200 yards, hopefully closer yet, and the eland's heart is the size of a football, I am willing to sacrifice a bit of accuracy in order to obtain velocity. Hopefully this old Savage is not picky w/the heavier bullets.
* In regards to H335 (and other ball powder) and loading for large capacity (magnum) cartridges brings up a couple of questions, often discussed on the net that I have been unable to confirm (or deny for that matter) to my satisfaction.
1) It is often stated that magnum primers are necessary to reliably ignite both ball powders and/or large powder charges.
I seldom use magnum primers (one exception is 375 h&h) and have had no ignition/accuracy problems that I have been able to identify.
2) Another claim that is widespread on the net is "temperature sensitivity" of many different powders and wonder if this may be a somewhat overworked attribute. I never let my ammo sit in direct sun or leave in a closed up vehicle and it may be due to the fact that the temperature hardly ever gets below freezing (it does, however often reach triple digits) here, but I've yet to identify problems from temperature sensitivity.
Very interesting thread. Perhaps I am too easily satisfied (or maybe just plain lazy)during load development, but once a satisfactory load is discovered, I'm happy
. Any thoughts on primers/heat sensitivity?
Regards,
hm
Over the years, my load development usually ends when I identify an accurate load, which meets the velocity requirements for the particular task at hand (punching paper in competition years ago or more recently hunting a particular critter). Usually accuracy standard is moa, sometimes less, but have been known to sacrifice a bit of accuracy in favor of terminal energy (depending upon the size of the target and how close I anticipate being to said target.
As stated previously, my pet powder for the 223 (in the several AR and bolt guns in which I have tested) is H335*. This load meets both accuracy and terminal energy (coyotes to 300/hogs to 100)requirements above out to 300 yards. Note: This load exceeds max. in most books but has not shown any pressure signs in those rifles in which I have tested. Start low and work up!
As an example of another hunting load development, I have a very accurate (5/8 moa) load for my pet .338 WM* w/210 NP and 200 NAB which prints same POI and am very fortunate that it is hard hitting and very accurate both. This was an annual zero check with the two different bullets. (Had previously sighted rifle an inch high at 100, wanted 100 yd zero, so made sight change after shot #1) Near max. load, start low & work up)
I am currently in the process of choosing a load for this rifle, using 265gr Nosler ABLR or 300gr Swift A-Frames, hopefully to be used to harvest an eland cow.
The intention is to pick the hardest hitting load possible, as the eland cow can weigh up to 1200#. Since I expect to be able to get within 200 yards, hopefully closer yet, and the eland's heart is the size of a football, I am willing to sacrifice a bit of accuracy in order to obtain velocity. Hopefully this old Savage is not picky w/the heavier bullets.
* In regards to H335 (and other ball powder) and loading for large capacity (magnum) cartridges brings up a couple of questions, often discussed on the net that I have been unable to confirm (or deny for that matter) to my satisfaction.
1) It is often stated that magnum primers are necessary to reliably ignite both ball powders and/or large powder charges.
I seldom use magnum primers (one exception is 375 h&h) and have had no ignition/accuracy problems that I have been able to identify.
2) Another claim that is widespread on the net is "temperature sensitivity" of many different powders and wonder if this may be a somewhat overworked attribute. I never let my ammo sit in direct sun or leave in a closed up vehicle and it may be due to the fact that the temperature hardly ever gets below freezing (it does, however often reach triple digits) here, but I've yet to identify problems from temperature sensitivity.
Very interesting thread. Perhaps I am too easily satisfied (or maybe just plain lazy)during load development, but once a satisfactory load is discovered, I'm happy
Regards,
hm
W748 for me. It meters well on my Lee auto drum and it has always shot just fine for my AR's. I do not load my AR's for groups or looking through a scope benchrest. I shot a thousand or more with 26.0 grains and this last batch was backed down to 25.5, never a problem. Regular old 55grn FMJ from Barrys bullets. No issue holding the center of targets with my EOTech and minute of water jug out to 200.
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going on memory,as I'm not home where I can look, I've had good accuracy with W748, Benchmark and N140 with different bullets that I can recall. Pretty sure I'm missing a couple that I did some work with.
Ridgeline17
New member
Out of an ar, I like cfe 223. It has been pretty consistent.
jim87formula
Member
Originally Posted By: hm1996My go to load w/55's is H335. Throws uniformly and superb accuracy.
Regards,
hm
This right here. 55gr VMAX and H335 is a super accurate combo!
Regards,
hm
This right here. 55gr VMAX and H335 is a super accurate combo!
bdraus22-250
New member
mine shoots benchmark very accurately with a 55grn vmax