Which powder to start with, .223 AR and possibly 22-250

G

goose_boy

New member
Well, topic says it. I'm going to start reloading for my AR, and sooner or later my 22-250. I plan on shooting 55gr Vmax out of both for simplicity, assuming the 223 likes them. I know my 22-250 will do ragged holes with them. So heres the big question, which powder should I start playing with? I was thinking Varget, since I see lots of reports of it doing really well. I'm second guessing myself now though, I got a RCBS Uniflow powder measure and I hear they don't do the best with extruded powders. Can anyone suggest a spherical style powder that could do double duty with these two calibers with a decent chance of good groups with both? Thanks!
 
if you are worried about varget not working so well in your powder measure i would give benchmark a shot. it is still a stick powder but it is a lot smaller of a stick than the varget and people have good luck with it in their 223. i am not so sure about a 22-250 though. personally i use varget in my 223 and 22-250.
 
You owe it to yourself to get some Varget and give it a try. It works good out of RCBS Uniflow powder measure. You just have to work on a good technique to get it to flow properly. I tap mine everytime just before I drop the powder and I use a slow stroke of the handle and don't have many issues with bridging. I use it in a .223 AR and a .22-.250 among a few other calibers. It's one of my favorite powders. That being said there are other powders that will work for both calibers that do flow like water in the Uniflow. Look up in a reloading manual.
 
I use IMR 4895 in my 223 and 22-250. I am using a Hornady 52 gr BTHP. I am also using the RCBS uniflow and have no problems with the powder.
 
I use Varget for my .223's. I also have the uniflow, but my technique isn't real good so I purposely load a little light, and then use a powder trickler to finish off the load. Slow, but I know the load is right.
I have had good luck with Varget, and my brother, who has reloaded for his 22-250 for a lot longer than I have, swears by it.
 
If you are using lite weight Bullets, you most likely will not get the best speed with Varget. However some Guys like to use Varget regardless. Varget burns slower, and usually works better with the heavier projectiles.
 
Hi,
My main powder is Hodgdon 4895. I load 25 grains with a 55 grain Hornady V-Max. Not sure the velocity but, it does just fine. Sub 1/4" groups at 100 yards.
 
You are going to find that what works for others, may or may not necessarily work for you.. What ever powder you choose you will need to work a load up for your rifle.. That said here's what I have found works in my rifles:

AR- 223, WW brass, 50 Hornaday Vmax, TAC powder, Rem 7-1/2.

22-250 Bolt, 52 Sierra Match HPBT, H380, WW brass.
 
I run benchmark in the 223 and 22-250 in several different rifles as well. It has never failed me yet. I love benchmark. I am also running the 50gr C/T.
 
One that I will mention that didn't look like it was yet is Win 748. I get great results with this powder and 55 gr Vmax's out of three 223's (2 AR's and a bolt). I settled on this after trying several different powders including RE 15, Varget & Benchmark. I agree with the others that would not be a bad idea to get some different powders and just give them a try...you never know what the gun will like the most. As for the 22-250, I can not say as I don't own one.
 
Ok well I might try Benchmark first, I hear lots of good things about it as well as the Varget. I also read that it meters very well out of the powder measure I have. Not to say I won't continue to experiment or try different powders and bullet combos, but I'm just looking to start with the very best chances of a good load to work up to.... without spending $100 on 4 different powders. Times are tough! Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys, this thread is saved to hard drive.
 
Benchmark for 223 and Varget for 22-250.

IMR 8208XBR may be a winner for the 223. So far have only tried in 22-250 and it is no better than Varget.
 
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