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04-02-2012, 08:38 PM
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Preferred powders for 5.56
Hello all, I recently put together an AR. I am looking for suggestions on what your preferred powders are for 55 gr and 62 fmj. I currently have W748, I3031, I4895, RE15, Benchmark and I4064 on hand that would work, or should I consider something like H335/W844. I'm not really concerned about velocity, but would like to keep carbon build up to a minimum with an accurate load. I'd be using LC brass and bulk pulled bullets.
Thanks, Rick
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04-02-2012, 08:51 PM
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Would like to hear opinions on this.
I grew up on IMR powders, and Hercules powders.
I have a 5.56 Smith MP 15. IMR 4895 is a bit slow burning (50-55 gr bullets), at least it seems so.
Varget ?
I used to have a Powley computer, slide rule thingy, for IMR powders, that was great for picking the "correct" powder for various calibers, my ex, now has it, though haven't a clue what she will use it for.
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Last edited by JohnK; 04-02-2012 at 08:55 PM.
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04-02-2012, 08:53 PM
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5.56
W748 works fine, an OK place to start.
tb
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04-02-2012, 09:25 PM
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Concur. Nothing wrong with the 748 that you already have.
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04-02-2012, 09:45 PM
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Yeh, I figured that the 748 would do well, it's what I use for 223 and 223AI bolt guns. Just wasn't sure how well it would work pressure wise for a semi auto.
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04-02-2012, 09:58 PM
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I use H335 most of the time in my AR. I did have a little 3031 I needed to use up so gave it a try. Except for crunching in the measure, it grouped as well as the 335.
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04-02-2012, 10:03 PM
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I use H335, BLC2, 2015, 2460, and Varget. I use each one with a different bullet; 5 powders, 5 different bullet combo's. 2015 has very small velocity variation. H335 and a 50gr Nosler BalTip has been the most accurate for me. I shoot a pair of AR's and on a good day I have had 5 shot ragged hole groups at 100 meters. Sold my A-bolt and Rem .223 because they couldn't come close to that accuracy. Even the inexpensive Hornady 55gr SP will shoot 1/2 moa at 100 meters. Love the AR! My brother uses 748...works OK for him.
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04-02-2012, 10:04 PM
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Varget is a great powder.
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04-02-2012, 10:08 PM
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I just loaded 1000 rounds of .223 tonight with H335. I have used a few different powders but H335 meters so well through my Dillon 550B, that it just works!!!!! I just picked up 2 pounds of CFE223 (Hodgden's new Copper Fouling Eliminator ) powder and am looking forward to giving that a try. Anything that minimizes cleaning, can't be bad.....as long as it works!
G
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04-02-2012, 10:48 PM
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W748, I3031, I4895, RE15, Benchmark all are suitable for 223. Just use a manual or 2 to check for the correct amount for your bullet weight.
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04-02-2012, 11:26 PM
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Benchmark powder is supposed to be optimal for smaller cases like 223. Since you already have it, have you tried it before in 223 or other applications?
Regards,
Guy-
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04-03-2012, 12:00 AM
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Winchester's handloading component and data guidebook says to use 748 with 55 grain bullets for their factory load duplication. I like it very much in .223.
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04-03-2012, 12:18 AM
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FWIW, Hodgdon's CFE223 proved to give EXCELLENT accuracy and velocity
in my bolt guns.
Good shooting.
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04-03-2012, 08:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lmcgust
Benchmark powder is supposed to be optimal for smaller cases like 223. Since you already have it, have you tried it before in 223 or other applications?
Regards,
Guy-
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I picked it up for use in my 223AI, but couldn't get to produce grooups like the 748, haven't tried it in the 223 yet.
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04-03-2012, 08:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fkimble
W748, I3031, I4895, RE15, Benchmark all are suitable for 223. Just use a manual or 2 to check for the correct amount for your bullet weight.
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I hear you, the manual is just that a manual, it don't tell you what happens in the real world, especially when dealing with semi auto's. I have 12 manuals and only 1 the Lyman # 47 uses a colt AR as their test barrel. All the others use pressure barrels or bolt guns.
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04-03-2012, 11:05 AM
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I am new to rifle reloading and started out with Ramshot TAC. It meters good so I like that. I want to try some different powders like H335 and W748. Don
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04-04-2012, 09:27 AM
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Just to keep things simple, I use WW 748 in all my 223's
I have shot sub 2's with my HB varmint rifles so you aren't giving up any accuracy
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04-04-2012, 09:47 AM
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I use WC844, which is similiar to H335. Meters well, I use 25 grains with the 52 SMK, and 23.5 with 69SMK. Very accurate in my match grade AR. 1 1/2 groups at 200 yards are common.
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04-05-2012, 12:06 AM
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If you are loading on a progressive, a ball or spherical powder will be easier. I use AA2520 because I also use it in my 308. It offers a near comrpessed load & accuracy is quite good, vel is fine too, all w/ slightly lower pressures.
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04-05-2012, 03:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thndrchiken
Hello all, I recently put together an AR. I am looking for suggestions on what your preferred powders are for 55 gr and 62 fmj. I currently have W748, I3031, I4895, RE15, Benchmark and I4064 on hand that would work, or should I consider something like H335/W844. I'm not really concerned about velocity, but would like to keep carbon build up to a minimum with an accurate load. I'd be using LC brass and bulk pulled bullets.
Thanks, Rick
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I like H335 best for AR ammo but I do use other powders for my .223 ammo used in a bolt action rifle. W748 also works well and since it's also a ball powder meters well too.
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04-05-2012, 10:00 AM
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Although many have had good results with W748 powder I never did.
My Colt H-bar produces less then 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards using Accurate 2230 powder. I have also gotten good results with Varget and RE15.
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04-05-2012, 10:19 AM
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I agree with Beans on all 3 powders.
AA2230 for my M4, shooting 62 gr. M855's and Sierra 65 BT's. Meters like water through a progressive (I now hate that word) press.
RE15 for my Remington 700 VTR, shooting 70 gr. Bergers.
Varget for my custom Kimber shooting 80gr. Bergers.
S/F,
RAS
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04-05-2012, 10:21 AM
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.223 Powder..........
I used "ACCURATE 2230" for years with absolutely no problems.
CookE..
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04-05-2012, 01:22 PM
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24.5 grains of varget, 69gr Sierra HPBT match King, and a federal match primer shoots consistently small groups in my AR's.
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04-05-2012, 01:40 PM
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My first choice is W748. I have used a lot of H335 but have found it more sensitive to temperature than I like. I intend to try the new Hodgdon CFE223 powder. I think H322 is too fast for those bullet weights and is better suited to slightly smaller cartridges as the 222 and 6mmPPC. Varget is a little slow but I use it in my 22-250. Not sure how it would work in the 223.
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04-05-2012, 07:15 PM
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BLC-2 works great and drops dead on. Also use it in my 308.
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04-26-2012, 08:25 PM
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Hi guys my first post in this forum...I have been loading my 8x57's with IMR4895 and have it on hand. I started reloading for my Sport in .223rem, Hodgdon's reloading data said I could use it with the 55grain and 69 grain (I have hornady 68grain BTHP Match). I wasnt very happy with the performance. Yesterday I picked up 2 pounds of CFE223 and going to start loading with it tonight. Are there any particulars that I should look out for? How has it performed for any of you who use it? Thanks Alot.
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Last edited by oneyeopn; 04-26-2012 at 08:27 PM.
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04-26-2012, 08:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneyeopn
Hi guys my first post in this forum...I have been loading my 8x57's with IMR4895 and have it on hand. I started reloading for my Sport in .223rem, Hodgdon's reloading data said I could use it with the 55grain and 69 grain (I have hornady 68grain BTHP Match). I wasnt very happy with the performance. Yesterday I picked up 2 pounds of CFE223 and going to start loading with it tonight. Are there any particulars that I should look out for? How has it performed for any of you who use it? Thanks Alot.
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In what way was the performance lacking? Cuz I'm thinking of starting with H-4895, which I know is close but not identical.
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04-26-2012, 08:55 PM
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I wasnt getting the performance that I thought I should. my groups were good but really no better than the federal xm193 5.56 that I have been shooting, plus I was having bridging problems in my Perfect Powder Measure, which I didnt have with the 8mm Mausers.
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04-29-2012, 09:12 PM
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Ok I loaded 100 55gr Hornady Zmax and 50 55gr Hornady Vmax 26.8 grains of CFE223, toward the low end of the recommended loading scale, Misc. Brass and CCI #41 5.56 primers. The Zmax cost me $.25 to load and the Vmax cost me $.27 per bullet. I saw the Zmax at our local wallyworld for a buck a round so I feel pretty good for the cost.
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04-30-2012, 11:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arc2x4
24.5 grains of varget, 69gr Sierra HPBT match King, and a federal match primer shoots consistently small groups in my AR's.
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AA bills their AA2520 as a ball equiv to Varget. I have to say, accuracy in my 16" M+P is quite a bit better than TAC or H322. I have other powder to paly w/ but they have to be ball/spherical for my 550B.
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05-01-2012, 01:59 AM
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Used to use H335 when loading 223 with 55 grain bullets. When I went to the 62 grain bullets switched to WW748. Frank
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05-05-2012, 12:28 PM
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What ever powder you use MAKE SURE IT IS TEMPERATURE INSENSITIVE!!! That way you get same point of impact any time of year. Some powders point of impact have been tested by the NRA where the point of impact MOVES up to 10 inches with just temperature changes.
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05-05-2012, 11:59 PM
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Just an addition to my original answer, a friend just bought some of that new Hodgdon CFE223 powder and loaded up some AR ammo. Well let me tell you I was very impressed. Not only is that powder as clean as advertised it also delivered superior accuracy and velocity than most anything else I've ever tried. Sorry I can't tell you what the charge weight is because I forgot what he said but I do know it was used with a 55gr bullet.
I will be buying some soon and doing some tests of my own. I have had good success with H335 or WC844 in my AR ammo and with Varget, W748 and H4895 for bolt action rifle ammo but if all works out like I think it will I just might be switching over to CFE223 for both, soon...
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05-06-2012, 09:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneyeopn
Ok I loaded 100 55gr Hornady Zmax and 50 55gr Hornady Vmax 26.8 grains of CFE223, toward the low end of the recommended loading scale, Misc. Brass and CCI #41 5.56 primers. The Zmax cost me $.25 to load and the Vmax cost me $.27 per bullet. I saw the Zmax at our local wallyworld for a buck a round so I feel pretty good for the cost.
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my initial trials with S&W M&P Sport:
27.5CFE, Hornaday 55gr hpbt, .651moa.
25.0CFE, Sierra 69gr hpbt MK, .905moa.
24.0Varget, 60gr A-max, .668moa = best 5 shot groups so far.
powder individually weighed by rcbs balance beam.
~ >20yr old cci blue box bench rest primers.
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