Favorite Powder for .224 - 65gr, 69gr

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

What is your favorite powder for your .223 shooting:
SGK 65gr
SMK 69gr
Lapua Scenar 69gr
Hornady ZMAX 50gr

We have a lot of bullets and powder. Mainly shoot Yotes, Hogs, PD.
Our rifle is a RRA AR 20" 1:8 twist with Lapua Brass and BR-4 Primer
We have Powders:
H-4895 - currently using 26.8gr with the SGK 65gr getting 1/3" MOA
Varget
CFE-223

Thanks
Len & Jill

 

[Varmint Hunter]

50gr Hornady Z-Max = VV133
69gr Sierra SMK = Varget

 

[sea2summit]

Also use 133 55gn V-max
Varget on 77gn custom comps.

 

[lancetkenyon]

50 V-Max = Benchmark @ 3300
69 SMK = Varget @ 3033

 

[Dmagna]

I have had some pretty good speed and accuracy using n540 with the heavier bullets and n530 with the lighter ones.

75 gr eldm at 3100 with a 22" 1-8 twist
55gr ttsx at 3400+ with n530

 

[HSmithTX]

It's Varget for me with anything 62-77 grains. If my rifle doesn't shoot it really well I would switch bullets, but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[lotech]

I've seen very good accuracy with the 65 GK and H4895 In three Colt ARs with 1 in 7" barrels and a CZ Bolt-action with 1 in 9" barrel. I realize the CCI-400 primer is not often recommended for .223 loads, but it, alongside the CCI-450 and the Remington 7 1/2 all work equally well.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

When I plan to reload .223, I reach for Varget. On a side note, I am seeing some very promising results with Ramshot TAC.



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[stovepipe]

VARGET

 

[lotech]

Varget is an excellent powder for many applications and not just in .223. I haven't tried Varget or H4895 in everything but have found H4895 provides at least slightly better overall accuracy generally (not always) making it a bit more versatile than Varget. Worth trying if you haven't done so.

 

[KsKevin]

For 50-55g pills I've had success finding very accurate loads with good velocities using Benchmark and H4895.
* 53 Vmax with Benchmark 3400fps
* 53g Vmax H4895 3411fps
* 55g Blitzking Benchmark 3337fps.

68g BTHP Hornadys I've developed loads with Varget (3015fps) and H4895 (3150fps)

Savage 26" factory barrel.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

I really like H-4895 in our 204 and 223 and have Varget put away for the 6BR. I got several 8# Jugs of CFE 223 for the 204 and 223. When i got the CFE 223 I read some good reviews and figured it would be a good replacement for the H-4895 since 4895 is almost impossible to get for many years.
I have to get out and test the CFE, all the reloading data I saw is that it will give a few more FPS that Varget & 4895. Haven't used CFE 223 yet.
I try to stick with one bullet and load for each caliber to make it simple but when hunting different animals I tend to change up the bullets. Our 223 can shoot 50gr to 75gr on PDs, ,Yotes and Hogs and have three different powders to work with.
Thanks for all the input.

 

[mtbullet1]

N133

 

[257WHBY13]

69 = Varget