Rookie Powder Question

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WackemnStackem

New member
Alright, I have ordered the Lee Anniversary kit to get me started reloading. I want to go ahead and order some powder, primers and bullets so when it gets here i don't have to wait on that to get here.
The question is what powder should i order??
I am shooting a Howa axiom 20" .223 1/12 twist. will most likely be shooting either 50gr or 55gr v-max, and 52gr hornady BTHP. Just looking for some opinions..and i was thinking CCI primers?

Can't wait to get started, I think I'm already addicted and don't even have it yet lol.
 
I'm very new to reloading as well, just got my RCBS kit for christmas so take that into consideration.

I read the first several chapters of my reloading manual(Speer #14) twice before I bought any powder or primers.


Chupa
 
I would wait until you have time to read the manual that should come with the kit and then make your powder choice on the information provided in the tables and your personal research from both the bullet and powder companies...

Just my opinion, but choosing a powder involves more that the opinion of others, as everyone perceives different needs and adopts different standards...You need to try and match your powder burn rate to your barrel length, as well as the bullet weight and type of shooting you will be primarily using the rounds....

Too fast of a burn rate and you are losing velocity, too slow and you are wasting powder and leaving excess residue in the barrel...Some powders burn cleaner than others in general and require much less cleaning effort...Some powders are very easy to handle and others more difficult, depending on the tools you have at hand...

I'm not trying to 'overthink' the reloading process, but based on my experience,,,it requires some serious thought to produce accurate, dependable ammunition, as well as many trial and error efforts...
 
alright thanks for yalls input. i believe i will wait and see what the manual suggest. it seems there is always something where you have to wait lol..i don't have very good patience when it comes to using something new i wanna use it right when i get it lol..but patience usually pays off!!
 
However, there are some very good powders for the .223, and you should read and go through one or two reloading manuals (besides what came with the press) to help you make the selection. And there are some very good websites. Hodgdons (powder) http://www.hodgdon.com/ has a good website, but also look at others like--- http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

I believe one very important consideration for Safety is to select a powder that will fill the case more than 1/2 full. This not only improves the burning of the powder but keeps you from accidently putting two powder charges in the same case. Some reloading books like Nosler's, tell you how full a particular charge will be in the case.

And if you begin by using bullets in that 50 to 55grain weight range, you'll find more data from the manufacturers to select and use.
 
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H322 is a stellar performer with the 50 & 55g Bullets...you simply can not go wrong with this powder in a 223 for 50 and 55g Bullets. Benchmark and 2015 are good second and third choices for the 50 & 55g Bullets with 12-14 twist rates.

Good luck!
 
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