223 powders

[RiskyBusiness]

I'm starting to look at pricing for components so i can keep track of whats a good deal for $/lb and i haven't found better prices than at Cabelas. My local is a powder shop in Covina which has very competitive prices but not with a Cabela's deal + the use of a 20% off gc.

That being said, what are your absolute best deals you've gotten for 223 powders over this last year? Also, do you recommend as a new reloader to buy several different brands or just buy into a single 8lb jug of the most popular brand?

i want to experiment with bullets from 55gr-69gr.


Here are a few powders that I've been recommended, is this what you guys normally pay?

Powder Valley: (H335 = $19-21) (Varget = $23-26) + shipping/tax/hazmat
Cabelas: (H335= $20) (Varget = $24) +hazmat
My Local: (H335 = $24-27) (Varget = $27-31) +tax

[bsumoba]

If you stick with 55-62 gr bullets, I would stick with H335. If you think you will stay around the 69-77gr bullets, get Varget.

If you are a tinkerer, you can certainly buy different powders, primers, etc. IMO you would just be diluting your program and making more work for yourself, but guys like going to the range with multiple loads, multiple bullets, multiple primers and just sit there and shoot and see which shoots best that day. I was one of those people and I got a kick out of it, but once I started shooting competitively, sticking with one bullet, one, maybe two powders and maybe have a few different primers just to try out is all I stick with now.

Try www.powder-valley.com , recob target shop or 3rd Gen shooting supply. They normally have cheaper prices than Cabelas.

[RiskyBusiness]

If you stick with 55-62 gr bullets, I would stick with H335. If you think you will stay around the 69-77gr bullets, get Varget.

If you are a tinkerer, you can certainly buy different powders, primers, etc. IMO you would just be diluting your program and making more work for yourself, but guys like going to the range with multiple loads, multiple bullets, multiple primers and just sit there and shoot and see which shoots best that day. I was one of those people and I got a kick out of it, but once I started shooting competitively, sticking with one bullet, one, maybe two powders and maybe have a few different primers just to try out is all I stick with now.

Try www.powder-valley.com , recob target shop or 3rd Gen shooting supply. They normally have cheaper prices than Cabelas.

read a lot of great reviews for varget using the heavier bullets. Yeah i can imagine starting off as a tinkerer getting a kick out of it early on.


Do i have to pay the hazmat fee for every tub of powder or is it just a once per order sort of thing?

[Rgarbarino]

Do i have to pay the hazmat fee for every tub of powder or is it just a once per order sort of thing?

Once per order.

I use H322 for my 55gr vmax loads and find it very accurate. H335 is a little cheaper and used by many. Varget can be hard to get. Don't bother with 1lb bottles, go for the 8lber.

[RiskyBusiness]

Once per order.

I use H322 for my 55gr vmax loads and find it very accurate. H335 is a little cheaper and used by many. Varget can be hard to get. Don't bother with 1lb bottles, go for the 8lber.

whats the length and twist on your barrel?

gonna look into the 322 thanks!

[Divernhunter]

For 40-55gr bullets I use Win748 and Benchmark a lot. Excellent accuracy and best speeds.
I do not shoot heavier bullets in the 223. That is what I have larger caliber rifle/pistols for

[McGuiver]

I'm starting to look at pricing for components so i can keep track of whats a good deal for $/lb and i haven't found better prices than at Cabelas. My local is a powder shop in Covina which has very competitive prices but not with a Cabela's deal + the use of a 20% off gc.

That being said, what are your absolute best deals you've gotten for 223 powders over this last year? Also, do you recommend as a new reloader to buy several different brands or just buy into a single 8lb jug of the most popular brand?

i want to experiment with bullets from 55gr-69gr.


Here are a few powders that I've been recommended, is this what you guys normally pay?

Powder Valley: (H335 = $19-21) (Varget = $23-26) + shipping/tax/hazmat
Cabelas: (H335= $20) (Varget = $24) +hazmat
My Local: (H335 = $24-27) (Varget = $27-31) +tax

I would try one pound of CFE223. If you like it buy 8 pounds. CFE223 is my general powder for 223 and 7.62x54r.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[RiskyBusiness]

For 40-55gr bullets I use Win748 and Benchmark a lot. Excellent accuracy and best speeds.
I do not shoot heavier bullets in the 223. That is what I have larger caliber rifle/pistols for

the twist rate im working with is 1:7, not sure how effective that powder you listed would be with +55gr.

[highpower790]

the twist rate im working with is 1:7, not sure how effective that powder you listed would be with +55gr.

with a 1/7 I wouldn't bother with light bullets,using anything less than a 68/69 is a waste of time.

[RiskyBusiness]

with a 1/7 I wouldn't bother with light bullets,using anything less than a 68/69 is a waste of time.

damn thats a shame, i mean i have a 1:8 as a back up barrel but i want to see what potential this has with both light/heavy before i switch barrels out.

[highpower790]

damn thats a shame, i mean i have a 1:8 as a back up barrel but i want to see what potential this has with both light/heavy before i switch barrels out.

With either barrel using heavier bullets ,I don't think you will have a problem.I use bullets up to 85gr from 1/7.7 .

[RiskyBusiness]

With either barrel using heavier bullets ,I don't think you will have a problem.I use bullets up to 85gr from 1/7.7 .

Trying to keep the cost to a minimum so i doubt running 85gr will help with that. Can i ask what is your reloading cost for your 223?

[highpower790]

Trying to keep the cost to a minimum so i doubt running 85gr will help with that. Can i ask what is your reloading cost for your 223?

Cost per bullet 75gr-80gr .16-.21 ,powder 24.5gr per charge at .03,primer .03 .On the high side maybe .25 per shot.Recently picked up some Nosler 77s at .12,or $120k.

[RiskyBusiness]

Cost per bullet 75gr-80gr .16-.21 ,powder 24.5gr per charge at .03,primer .03 .On the high side maybe .25 per shot.Recently picked up some Nosler 77s at .12,or $120k.

thats actually not as bad as i calculated myself. i dont believe i'll have any hesitation favoring the heavies at all with those prices. have you gotten back any results with the 77's?

[stevec223]

Using 50 or 55gr bullets in a 16in 1x7 twist barrel I have had great results with Win 748... With 65gr gamekings in the same gun ,, H355 or Varget do a very good job... Both can get moa or better,, and thats about all I can ask of a 16in standard barrel.. Delton upper if your curious ,, its a low cost build I'm very happy with... Good luck... Cheers..