Best reloading powder

[shadyvalleyman]

Happy owner of MP-15 sport, (4 months now). I have reloaded .308, 30-06, 22-250, 45 acp, and 357 magnum and now want to start reloading .223/5.56.

What is the consensus on the "best" powder for .223?

I use IMR 4064 for my 22.250 with excellent results, (avg velocity = 3640 fps, avg group size .476 inches @ 100 yds).

But yet IMR 4064 seemingly is not very good for .223/5.56.

I will be loading 55 grain v-vax and 62 grain FMG.

Any suggestions?

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I doubt there is any real consensus, but I like Varget for that weight bullet. I get the best accuracy with it in my Armalite SPR.

However, if you are using a progressive loader throwing automatic charges it isn't the best choice. Even though a short cut grain, it will still hang up most powder throwers. A ball powder would be better for that application.

 

[philevans]

varget

1. varget. best so far is .668moa in 5 shot groups. meters ok in rcbs uniflow.
2, h4895. ok
3. cfe. ok

 

[rck281]

I use WW748 or Hodgdon H335. However, I intend to try the new Hodgdon CFE223 powder.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

IMR 4198 is good for me in 223
Varget is good in my 22-250
Just ordered 8# of CFE223 for my 223 because I HATE cleaning out copper fouling.

 

[wbraswell]

A buddy of mine has had very good results using 4064 in .223s, and he uses them in his DCM Bushmaster.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I used to use Alliant Reloader 10X, but recently I have been using their new AR-Comp powder. I use 24 grains to push a 55 grain bullet, and that fills the case to the beginning of the shoulder. I am getting very good accuracy at 100-200 yards. When my first 1 pound bottle was empty I went and bought a 8 pound jug. It meters very well in my Hornady LnL powder measure.

Alliant Powder - AR-Comp

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

WW748 powder

 

[VMaxSplat]

WW748 powder

+1

W748 meters soooo nicely (ball powder). It does a nice job in the 223.

 

[sps282]

Don't have an "AR" type rifle but Hodgdon H322 works great in my .223 T/C Encore with Hornady 55 gr. SP SX, have also had good results with AA2230 using the same Hornady.

 

[storeyteller]

Another vote for Varget. It has given me excellent results with different bullet weights and in different calibers. I use a Lee PPM and it meters very well for me.

 

[oneyeopn]

Hodgdon CFE223

I use CFE223, I started with IMR4895 and it was ok but I have loaded over 2000 rounds with CFE223 and they are super accurate plus it meters beautifully, using a Chrony my average deviation on my handloads is +/-7 using 55gr V-Max and +/- 9fps with 68 gr BTHP Match bullets, it is also recommended for .308 and I am getting ready to try some also my groups with the 55gr V-max were .46" and with the 68gr Match bullets were .51" at 100 yards off of a bench with a bipod. That was shooting the rifle I just built using left over parts and parts that I could get on sale. Not counting the parts that I took off of my Sport or that came originally on my Sport I built the latest one for under $300. I think shooting my rifle with the bigger scope I can get almost half the size of groupings plus there is no copper being left in my barrel...

 

[stavman11]

I have used only 3 Types, and i have a lee Pro 1000 press.........

X-terminator was a GREAT option.. but too expensive locally

I tried Varget..... Great SHOOTING results but loading Was terrible... like VAdoublegunner said would get stuck in my Auto-loader.... and was a MESS

Currently using SMP844 Surplus powder and seem Really good for the $$$ looks like its just 844T in stock Now..

I have 16lbs of it and really like it for the $85 price tag.... Averaged to $105 shipped with all fees


my $.02