In the Hodgdon line there is H335, H322 and Varget that are listed for 223 Rem.

What would be a good general use powder for 55grFMJ. Range use.? The H322 seems to have the lowest velocities so would that be good to begin with?

I use H335 exclusively in the .223 and .222 Magnum with 50-60 grn. bullets. It performs very well in both cartridges. It also excellent in the 7.62x39.

If you are just making plinking ammo for an AR15, then H335 or BLC2 are good for standard 55 fmj's. They're both easy to meter and economic to load with. If you are shooting for precision, such as in a bolt gun or accurized AR, then I'd go with Benchmark for bullets up to 55 grains and Varget for 55 and up.

My two cents worth.

quote:

Originally posted by n4zov:
I use H335 exclusively in the .223 and .222 Magnum with 50-60 grn. bullets. It performs very well in both cartridges. It also excellent in the 7.62x39.

Not knowing the slight differences between the three, I do not know if I could tell the difference. That's why I do not know which to buy.
The H335 you mention is right in the middle of my load tables so that seems to be a good choice for me. The Varget is up at the top with higher velocities and the H322 down on the bottom with the slowest.

OCD1:

Here is link to a Shooting Times article that I found very helpful when loading for the 5.56.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/st223_120606/

For lighter bullets, like 52-55gr I have used Varget with good results. Based on the article, it seems H335 and BL-C(2) were used in the heavier bullets, 60 to 80gr. I hope this helps,

Frank

24 gr of Varget does great in my Colt Hbar for either the 55gr or 69gr bullet. I have a 20 inch barrel with a 1 in 7 twist.

I have good success with AA2230. Try www.powdervalleyinc.com for some deals. Get several friends to go in and buy in quantity. It is possible to wind up with a large amount of powder for around $15 per pound. A couple of my friends and I order 100 pounds at a time.

Varget. 25gr under a 69gr Nosler BTHP is the ticket for long barrels with fast twists.

VARGET

quote:

24 gr of Varget does great in my Colt Hbar for either the 55gr or 69gr bullet. I have a 20 inch barrel with a 1 in 7 twist.

I also use 24 grains of Varget in my Colt Hbar 1-7 twist and SMK 77 gr bullets.

Yesterday I shot a 5 shot group of .430 at 100 yards. with the above combo. I was using a 12 power scope. (no wind, light cloud cover, temp 81 degrees

quote:

Originally posted by FrankD45:
OCD1:

Here is link to a Shooting Times article that I found very helpful when loading for the 5.56.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/st223_120606/

For lighter bullets, like 52-55gr I have used Varget with good results. Based on the article, it seems H335 and BL-C(2) were used in the heavier bullets, 60 to 80gr. I hope this helps,

Frank

Thanks for that link, some good information.

Thanks for all the other replies also. It seems that either H335 and the Varget are both popular. I might as well get one of each to try. There is only a few bucks difference and as long as I am paying the Haz Mat (buying pistol powder also) might as well stock up.

I've never used H322, but I can tell you that sometimes the faster powders won't cycle the bolt carrier effectively, causing short cycles. RL7 and 4198 are examples I know of.

For a 55 grain bullet, H335 works great. BLC2 burned really dirty when I tried it behind 55 grain Nosler BT's. IMR 4895 works well, it was supposed to be the powder used for loading 5.56mm back in the early M16 days.

25.5gr. Varget with .223 55gr. Horaday v-max bullet. Works great in my AR-15 and osume in my Remington .223 bolt.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gunned-up,

I use H335 for 55gr FMJ and i am very happy with the results.

I've use BLC2 for years for 55 and 60gr bullets
for my Bushy with great results