My dad just bought a .223 Rem. I have loaded for 30 cals for the last couple of years, but I still consider myself a newbie. Certainly, I have no experience loading for the smaller calibers. The rifle is primarily for popping the occasional coyote while checking on cattle. I ordered some 45 grain Hornady V-Max bullets, some Barnes 53 grainers, and some Sierra 45 grain bullets. My Hornady manual does not list any powders I currently have with the 45 grain bullets. I have: 3031, 4064, 4350, Win 760, Varget, and H 4350. Does anyone know if any of these powders are suitable for the .223 with 45 grain bullets? I always abide by my manual. I do however, have a good friend who shoots the 223 and 22-250 exclusively and he only shoots 4064 and 3031. I'm not saying he's right or even safe, but I didn't consider ordering more powder b/c I felt sure the powders he uses were in the manual. BTW, he has only a Hornady manual and loves the V-Max bullets. Is he shooting a dangerous, home cooked recipe??

Also, a question that has plagued me since starting this hobby...When you start with a new rifle, should you try two or three powders with one bullet first or two or three bullets with one powder? I don't want to take the easy road and I love shooting, but I have decided if I follow lengthy break-in procedures, try three powders and three bullets firing 5 shot groups enogh to determine which is best, I'll shoot the dang barrel out in load development!

I get the feeling that maybe my factory rifles are just not gonna shoot better than an inch at 100 yards without trigger work and a 32X scope! I started loading two years ago and I have fired a 300 SAUM, 300 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, .270 Win and a .243 Win a bunch of rounds. I've spent a lot of money and I just don't see the results...

Thanks in advance!

BtH, Of the powders mentioned only IMR 3031 and maybe 4064 or Varget would work with the lighter bullets. I would start with IMR 3031. As to bullets, they all should shoot reasonably well. The type of rifle, bolt semi single pump will determine to a large extent the overall performance characteristics. The twist rate will also suggest what bullets might be best, and it does vary in the .223.

When starting with a new cartridge read the manuals and select a powder which gives optimum velocities with the bullet weight you have selected. Note that the smaller cartridges are slightly more sensitive to load density and seating depth for critical (benchrest accuracy.) That last bit is an opinion of mine. I have many, do you have the time?...

Good luck and good shooting.

I'd be using varget with the 223 and 45 grainers

If you buy a powder get a ball powder.....H-335 or BL(C)-2...is great

Some rifles will shoot much better than others----i.e. some are just more inherently accurate than others---so there are limits to what handloading can do. Handloading won't turn a dog into a superstar but with enough patience might turn a dog into an acceptable performer. Handloading can take a good rifle and make it exceptional. Handloading will save you a lot of money and is a fun hobby. People handload for difference reasons. I started with it to save money, but it got me a load for my .30-06 that regularly puts 3 into 2 holes measuring a 1/2" inch (and on one occasion one hole).

All guns are different too. I have a .243 that won't shoot any load bigger than 1.25" but also won't shoot any load smaller than .75". Very consistent but not exceptional at all---especially not for longer range or precision shooting. On the other hand, my .30-06 shoots anywhere from .5" to 3" just depending on what the load is. Not very reliably consistent but great potential.

Rifles are not unlike women. Do anything to keep the good ones and dump the bad ones FAST.

I would not start load development until you have done a barrel break in (usually worth the time on a mass market rifle) and have a useable trigger. Most mass market rifles desperately need a trigger job, and that isn't necessarily very expensive or require an aftermarket trigger. For $40 my gunsmith turns a regular rem 700 factory trigger into something very nice.

Regards,

LWD

There are many loads for 223,and a lot of suggestions also about twists rates in barrels. This twist bovine info,all started with the military screwing around with the AR15-M16 ect. They have gone from 1-6 to 1-14" ect,ect. Many good powders,and i would shoot 50,52,53,and 55gr bullets,for the most part.Accurate does have a ball powder which is 2230Cit is the same as MR223 that the military uses,you might want to try it. van