What .223 powder are you finding these days?

[Robb]

Winter is coming and I need to re-supply my reloading stash. I can't find much Varget, or not easily anyway.
I've only used Varget for the past 3 years for some reason, good on-line reviews I guess, but it's time to change to something I can find a little easier. I also use a 550b so although I feel I've got Varget figured out, I could always go with something that meters better. I reload cheap 55gr fmj practice ammo, nothing heavier at this point and rarely shoot past 200yards. So can any specific powder always be found local, and what's your favorite powder?

[Delfuego]

BL-C2 or Surplus 846 is what I have been using for plinking and it works fine.

[sellersm]

Blatant, selfish plug: H380 is what Hodgdon used to promote for .223, and I happen to have 2 lbs for sale... With that being said, there was some good powder on Craigslist just a short while ago.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Found 2 pounds of varget a couple weeks ago and 3 pounds of bl-c2

[Great-Kazoo]

Winter is coming and I need to re-supply my reloading stash. I can't find much Varget, or not easily anyway.
I've only used Varget for the past 3 years for some reason, good on-line reviews I guess, but it's time to change to something I can find a little easier. I also use a 550b so although I feel I've got Varget figured out, I could always go with something that meters better. I reload cheap 55gr fmj practice ammo, nothing heavier at this point and rarely shoot past 200yards. So can any specific powder always be found local, and what's your favorite powder?


Good metering? TAC, 2230 or x-terminator. They pour like water out of dillon powder setups, without any of the polish, fluff n buff, treatments some loaders do. CFE223 has decent feedback, too

[jerrymrc]

Good metering? TAC, 2230 or x-terminator. They pour like water out of dillon powder setups, without any of the polish, fluff n buff, treatments some loaders do. CFE223 has decent feedback, too

2230, 2460, WC846, 844. Currently loading WC 844 for 55gr and 2460 for 62-69's. When the 844 runs out it will be 2460 for both my .223 and .308 loads. All meter great on my pro-auto disk.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

FYI there's 4 pounds of 2460 at the shop in Brighton for $23/pound as of yesterday.

[MAP]

I scored 16 lbs of Tac form Powder Valley on Tuesday on 1 lb containers. First time I've seen it this year.

Mike

[Robb]

I'd like to give TAC, H-335 2230 and/or BLC2 a try and see if I like it better than Varget. For the shooting I do it would be fine.

[Rabid]

After you try any of the powders listed above you will not go back to an extruded powder for plinking rounds.

[TheBelly]

I have TAC for .223 plinking, varget for 308, IMR 7828 for .243, and titegroup for pistol. I can get all of this locally to me for very close to normal prices....(if something is supposed to be $35/pound, I can get it for $26/pound.)

[asmo]

Flirting with XBR..

I should have an outing in a few weeks.

[streetglideok]

Using 2230 here that I scored during the last powder group buy. It is the same as x-terminator, both put out by western powders. I have a pound of TAC that picked up during the chaotic powder hording war early this year and hear it's the cats meow. As for finding stuff, I saw a decent amount of powder at the sertoma gun show yesterday here in the springs. One table that sells a lot of brass, bullets etc had TAC, Benchmark, 748, and some of the slower Accurate small bore powders. They also had imr4350, to which I walked out with some. Prices are a tad higher, but just finding it is a sign. Lot of primers as well, so I think we'll see supplies get better thru the new year(as long as we have no more retard shootings).

[rondog]

I have some WC846 that I bought from a member here who moved away. I thought I could use it in .30-06 but no can do, y'all say it's good for .223 huh? Loads like BLC-2?

[jerrymrc]

I have some WC846 that I bought from a member here who moved away. I thought I could use it in .30-06 but no can do, y'all say it's good for .223 huh? Loads like BLC-2?

I would start low using H335 charts. 22.5-23 Gr for 55's and work your way up.

[Delfuego]

I have some WC846Ron, I got some from same source as you. I have been running 55gr with 25 grains of 846 and 22.5 with 75 HPBT.

[Great-Kazoo]

picked up 2lbs of H335 yesterday, guy had "no use for it". Thanks.

[cstone]

I prefer AA2230, but just received some AA2200. I will need to work up a new load for 55 gr .223, but having alternatives is a good thing in the long run.

[Zombie Steve]

My Varget alternatives in the past:

IMR4320 - meters a tad better than Varget, but still an extruded powder. Almost identical burn rate. Despite being a little temp sensitive (Varget spoils me - not temp sensitive at all), 4320 is a really underrated powder for .223, .308 and reduced .30-06 loads.

AA2230 - Flows like water. A good deal faster than Varget. I've found it really useful with light bullets. I still prefer slower powders with heavier bullets, but there is some overlap. Steep pressure curve when you get close to max with heavier bullets.

AA2520 - might be just up your alley. This is a ball version of Varget IMHO. Also known as the Camp Perry powder.

H4895 - Started using this recently with .223 and 55 grain Montana Golds. Really good accuracy on the top end. This is my go-to plinker powder now. Not the best metering, but better than Varget in that regard. Burn rate right there with TAC.

Tac - lotta guys love it, I haven't tried it yet. Some day... lots of other good suggestions so far in this thread.