.223AI Powder Choice

[ACLakey]

I am getting a .223AI barrel for my Savage very soon and am excited to work up some loads for it. I have plenty of fire forming loads on hand so I will be working up .223AI loads shortly after the barrel arrives. The barrel is 22" with a 1:12 twist and I will likely be shooting 50gr BT out of it. From what I have been reading(Thanks Mr. Timm for the article) H335 seems to be a popular choice. I am going to load some rounds with H335, Benchmark and possibly TAC. Anybody else have any pet loads or powder to consider?

 

[Stormrider]

H335 shows to be a top performer in QuickLoad but Win748 will beat it for velocity at any given average pressure from ~48000 to 55000 psi (the max for the 223 according to SAAMI). For a ballpark figure at 48000 psi it gives a velocity for the 50g NBT of ~3200 fps and at 55000 psi ~3400 fps out of a 22" bbl.
But on the other hand, remember that this is all computer generated and take it with a grain of salt. I have had very good results with my 223AI using AA2230 and 52g SMK and 2230 is pretty far down on the list according to QL.

 

[Two-0-four]

I have a Savage 10 with a A&B 14 twist on my .223AI shooting 40gn Noslers using H-4198 and nothing else.
We were shooting the 35gn Berger MEF hollow points until they quit making them. It was crusing 4340fps with them punching one hole groups at 100yds.
When developing the 40gn load it was so easy I couldn't believe it. I loaded 10 loads 1/10gn apart and I could have used any one of the loads and 3 of them shot one hole groups. I love that gun!!! What a shooter.
For me that is the best powder and it really goes thru the powder thrower easy.
Just my .02

 

[B23]

Not sure about the AI .223 but out of 2 different .223's a 1-9 and 1-12 Benchmark has been awesome and flows great thru a powder measurer.

 

[Two-0-four]

I've heard Benchmark is a good .223 powder but never tried it myself yet. I know somebody using it in a .223AI and he loves it too. I've just had great luck with the H4198.

 

[Armed in Utah]

Benchmark in mine with 55s & 52s

 

[Desert Fox]

BLC-2 and 50 grain V-Max with my Cooper Phoenix.

 

[Two-0-four]

Not sure about the AI .223 but out of 2 different .223's a 1-9 and 1-12 Benchmark has been awesome and flows great thru a powder measurer.

The guy I know with the .223AI using Benchmark is also using a 1-9 twist but he shoots the 69gn out of it. His best shot on a pdog is 733yds using that combo.