A powder for .223?

[HAWKEYE10]

A local gun store recommended TAC powder as a good powder that would meter good in my Lyman powder measure. Is TAC a good powder to use in my Savage bolt gun? Are there better powders that meter well that I should consider? Thanks for your suggestions. Don

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have also heard TAC is a good powder for the .223 but I haven't tried it. I have used 4895, H335 and Varget for .223 ammo. I like Varget best for ammo meant for my bolt action .223 rifle.If metering is a concern H335 meters like water (ball powder) and is probably considered the "classic" .223/5.56mm powder.

 

[shottist]

Winchester 748. Meters well and is accurate. 4895 meters lousy but Very accurate.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have not used H335 BUT I have its twin brother, BLC-(2). I use it for my 223 range fodder rounds and Varget for my "accuracy" ammo.

The first are usually 55gr bullets while the second are 69gr. I shoot them out of an AR and they will hold sub MOA all day long, either one.

BLC-(2) is not the best for use in varying temperatures though. While Varget is one of the Hodgdon line of Extreme powders specially formulated for them. I am thinking of trying H322, as it is one of the Extreme powders as well, is short cut extruded and will meter like a dream in most measures. Just ain't got 'round to it yet!

 

[sourdough44]

TAC is cleaner than H-335, meters very well. I use it with 55 grain & up bullets. Yes, it would be fine in a bolt gun too. For 50 grain or less I use Ramshot Exterminator.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Varget has proven to be one of the more accurate powders for me. I use it in an Armalite AR15. It does not meter well in a progressive press with an automatic charger however, being a short stick powder. None of those types of powder will.

I haven't tried TAC, but from what I read it sounds like a decent powder. Spherical powders usually do very well in progressives, and there is no single stage powder charger that cannot handle them well.

 

[RussellD]

I use ramshot tac because it meters very well through the powder measure on my dillon 550. Getting great results in the .223.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I've used H335 for many years and have had excellent results. Some say it's temp sensitive but I've killed Coyotes at below zero and Prairie Dogs at 90 above and never had a problem. My single handload for 3 bolt rifles is a 55 grain Nosler BT, WW primers and any brand of case. This load shoots very well in all three bolt 223s.

 

[growr]

I have used a number of 8 lb. kegs of Accurate Arms 2460 & 2230 in my .223's with great results.
Might work for you as well.
Randy

 

[Forrest r]

This is one of those great cartridges that are easy to find loads for.

For plinking (sub MOA) the pull down powders 844 & 846 work fine with 55g & 62g bullets.
I like to use BL-C2 for 55g plinking loads (sub MOA), most people start with a 25.5g load & fine tune it from there.
For serous target loads a lot of shooters use 77g bullets with Rl-19 or full house loads of Varget & 80g bullets.

Varget really shines with the heavy bullets & full house loads. There’s a pretty common load using Varget & Sierra match king 80g bullets. The bullets are loaded over mag length & need to be hand loaded one at a time because the bullet is seated out far enough so that they are 10/1000’s off the lands & grooves. I will not say what the powder charge is because it’s over the recommended max load. A lot of people have tested & use this same load; it’s extremely hard on cases. 3 reloads & throw them out is normal, but this load is sooooo accurate it’s worth it.

My brother cracks me up, he’s always nosing around into everything, can’t take him know were. He’s always been very personable & people that meet him for the first time like him. He was in the Marines & loves his high power shooting, used to go to the nationals every year. Of course he buddies up with the Marine Corps shooting team & has their Armorer do a trigger job on his AR for him. While he was at the nationals at Perry a couple of years ago he on market row talking to the different company reps that are there. He talked to the Alliant powder rep about the over charged Varget load with the Sierra 80g match kings that he uses for the back fence (600yd line) & asked if it was safe to use. The Alliant rep looked at him & said “I hope so; I’m using the same load”. He shot a 483 that year.

 

[Beans]

I am having reallllly good luck with 2230 powder, WSR primers and 77 gr SMK in my Colt HBar with a 1-7 twist. 1/2 inch or less at 100 yards with a 10 power scope mounted on the carrying handle.

 

[oldreloader]

I like AA 2230 with 55gr Hornady SP

 

[Smokin' Iron]

I use Ramshot Tac also in a AR-15 with 55 grain bullets. It meters well and is very accurate.

 

[ILLWIND]

I too am a H335/BLC2 man. I use those 2 powders the most with 50-55 gr Nosler BT's. Very accurate. I bought some AA2015 & 2460 at a sale price and have been amazed on the consistancy of velocity. Shot to shot varies <20 fps. I have't tried shooting groups yet, have to wait until it warms up.

 

[BUFF]

Winchester 748. It's a nice ball powder that measures easily and consistently. Excellent accuracy with bullets from 52 grains up to 70 grains. Seems to be unaffected by hot or cold weather. Shoots clean, and duplicating the velocity and accuracy of anybody's factory ammo is easy if you can get the same bullet they use.

 

[WILDPIG]

I'm with BUFF!

WILDPIG

 

[chud333]

I use H335 and have used W748 both are clean burning and meter
well.



chuck

 

[WR Moore]

Rather depends upon what bullet weight you're talking about and what you're going to do with it.

I've never used TAC, but I've discovered that I seem to need 3, possibly 2 powders in .223.

IMR 4198 was developed for this size case, it's wonderful with bullets to 60 odd grains. Economical too.

RE15 does the job with 75 grain bullets and provides superior accuracy, at least in my bolt gun.

69 gr Sierra Match Kings just love WW-748, but I've been trying to find time to at least try the RE15. I'm not sure why, 1/4 MOA groups make it hard to justify futzing with the load.