Powder Question for .223

[thunderbolt]

I am about to attempt my first reloading of .223 and was wondering what is the best, most accurate powder. I'll be shooting 55gr FMJBT down a 16" carbine barrel. Primers are standard Federal small rifle. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

[ar15robert]

There are many factors that can determine accuracy.You can load 3 different powders with the same charge and 1 might be all out the best but fine tune and you might have powder C be give the best results with a lower charge.

Some work better with longer barrels others with short,etc.

I have always liked the h335 for my ar but have had a tad better results with wcc844(for 69 smk) and good with 748.for 55 fmjs

Try starting with h335 and see what happens its usually a good all around powder.

[ronas]

I use 748 and BL-C (2) for all my 223 loads. I don't know if they are the most accurate but they are relatively popular. The only thing I would note is both these powders call for small rifle magnum primer in my reloading manuals.

[Ahhnother8]

I am about to attempt my first reloading of .223 and was wondering what is the best, most accurate powder.

VV N540

[f4tweet]

+1 for H335

[Jak1]

I use Winchester 748 with nosler ballistic tips (1/2 moa) but for cheap, practice loads i use imr 4198. You get another hundred rounds per pound with the imr if you us light loads.

[joelogic]

I balance clean and accurate. Plus you are shooting out of a 16" carbine, so does accuracy really matter. I am not making a joke. But with my carbine and my reloads I hit minute of bad guy at 200 yds and thats all that matter to me. I have H322 and its accurate but dirty. I will go back to 748 when things return to normal.

[bohoki]

tac is as good as anything depending on the loading its from belgium

[domokun]

Don't forget about the Hodgdon Varget!

[Hans Gruber]

tac is as good as anything depending on the loading its from belgium

I use TAC for my 223 and I like it. Shoots reasonably clean, accurate, available and above all, cheap!

[fairfaxjim]

I've been using 748 with CCI 450 or CCI 41 primers with good success.

[Jicko]

Before you go too much into the powder.... what 55gr FMJBT are you using? Most of them are not match grade and will only do 1-2MOA or even 2-3MOA.

[Jonathan Doe]

Out of all the powders I have tried, I had the best results with IMR4895. I bought some VV N140 and will give it a try.

[r08ert209cali]

h4198,blc-2,varget,a2230, and you can get great accuracy out of a 16 in barrel. Agree with jicko on brand and accuracy from a fmjbt. Hornadys are alright but armscore seem a little bla.

[thunderbolt]

I picked up a couple boxes of Winchester 55gr FMJBT and have a lot of brass from previous outings.