Best powder for 223 and 308

[Tboy]

Is there a good all around powder for both calibers? Not looking for match grade loading. Just target shooting in a semi 223 and bolt 308. Would varget do ok?

 

[mickey]

Yep, varget does just fine for me.
TAC is supposed to be good for both and meter well, but I have yet to try it.

 

[highstandard40]

Varget is my powder of choice for the 223. I don't load for the 308 so I can't speak directly to that one but Varget should be a good choice for it also.

 

[leeshall]

Alliant RL15 and 4895 (either IMR or Hodgdon) are also very useful for both calibers.
Distinguished Rifleman 1352

 

[mickey]

Oh, and a new one is CFE223.
Supposed to be really clean?

 

[kz45]

Varget doesn't meter well out of a Dillon, unless you take the powder drop apart and polish everything real well.
For loading 223 I would hold the handle down for a second and then give it a tap pr two, this helps the powder settle in the case and flow out the powder drop better.
For 308 there was no need to do this

 

[Tulse Luper]

Varget doesn't meter well out of a Dillon, unless you take the powder drop apart and polish everything real well.
For loading 223 I would hold the handle down for a second and then give it a tap pr two, this helps the powder settle in the case and flow out the powder drop better.
For 308 there was no need to do this

You got that right, so neither will 4895 I would assume. They both are sticks about the same size. RL15 is about the same, too. I've only tried Varget in the Dillon though. I will try your tapping trick with .223.

 

[RStewart]

Right now I say Varget, but I'm seeing good results with IMR 8208 XBR. A little hotter than Varget, very clean and temperature stable.

 

[bayoupirate]

+1 on Ramshot TAC.

 

[Request Dust Off]

What weight bullets on your AR? That really is the starting point to answer the question.

 

[dzelenka]

Most .308 powders are good with the .223, especially for heavier bullets in the .223. Varget, 4895, H335, 748, RL15, N540, N140, Tac, AA2495, BLC2, AA2520.

 

[Tboy]

Thanks for all the replys. I have not decided on a weight for the 223 yet. It's a 1/8 twist and I'm open to recommendations. The 308 will be 150. So far it sounds like varget is good starting point for me.

 

[Beaver Creek]

Varget or H4895 with bullets over 60 gr. With lighter bullets 52, 53, 55 gr I have not been able to beat H335 for accuracy or consistency. BLC2 is good also.

 

[sksshooter]

im getting good results with accurate2230 in .223. its a ball powder so it meters well. don't have a 308 so not sure how good it is there but there is load data for it.

 

[flamatrix99]

Varget doesn't meter well out of a Dillon, unless you take the powder drop apart and polish everything real well.
For loading 223 I would hold the handle down for a second and then give it a tap pr two, this helps the powder settle in the case and flow out the powder drop better.
For 308 there was no need to do this

Have you tried this? I have a brand new powder measure waiting to be filled.

 

[kz45]

Have you tried this? I have a brand new powder measure waiting to be filled.[/QUOTE
Yes I have, and it helped a lot

 

[tupperware9mm]

Varget or H4895 with bullets over 60 gr. With lighter bullets 52, 53, 55 gr I have not been able to beat H335 for accuracy or consistency. BLC2 is good also.

I agree totally,... I started with H4895 and compared it with factory ammo in my AR and I could feel the difference even after I increased the charge slightly. I am using 55gn bullets in a 1 in 9 twist barrel. I began reading about this and found that the differences were the burn characteristics of extruded power were markedly different over more spherical powders like h335 in the case of the .223. From what I read 4895 was excellent in larger calibers like the 308 because of the burn and expansion rate of the extruded powder. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mineralman55]

Is there a good all around powder for both calibers? Not looking for match grade loading. Just target shooting in a semi 223 and bolt 308. Would varget do ok?

I've had excellent results in both .223 and .308 with AA2520, especially with .223/69 HPBT and .308/168 HPBT. I switched over to TAC last year and find it's as good or better in accuracy and it's a bit cleaner to boot!

 

[Sigforty]

Have not loaded 223 but for 308 I like the H4895 with a 168 gr bullet. Been using this for years.

 

[Rossfo123]

I like varget in the .223, and BLC2 in the .308