Ok, I may be opening up pandora's box here but I'm just a little curious as to the thought's of some other folks so here it goes!

I shoot a BUNCH of 223 ammo in bullet weights from 50 - 75gr. and have been having good luck using RL15 powder but have been thinking here lately there may be something better, I use this podwer in my 17 Remington, 308, and the 223 but I'd like to get some new ideas and I figure the best way is to ask the thoughts of others so let me have it and we'll see where it goes. Later,

Kirk

Don't fix what ain't broke.

Hello,
Tend to agree w/ joecool, but if you must try something else, suggest you give Varget a whirl!! Exc. powder and very, very stable in different temperature ranges, clean burning, generally delivers superb accuracy in the 223 and the 308. Know nothing about the 17, but as you, have shot a whole bunch of the other two and use both and if I had to favor one over the other, it would be Re15 for the 223 and Varget for the 308. Good Luck

VihtaVuori N133 is ideal for the .223 Rem.

Kirk, I also have to agree with the "if it aint broke" but, BUT since we are in the reloading forum!!!!!
There was a post here a while back that someone (i think it was seafire??) tried some reloader 10 and was having great success all the way around. (accuracy-velocity-pressure)
Not sure about what the recipe was. You might do a search on RE10 and see what comes up. You might also head back a few to several to a dozen pages and see if you can find it.
Good luck and happy reloading!!

Smedley

Yep kinda what I thought but hey I'd hate to get something that worked so well I'd get board! I've shot the Varget but also did everyone else around here so it got a bit hard to come by, the RL10 was GREAT in my 22-250 and 223 but it has become scarce and the 17 did NOT like it at all now I hear that the governemt has been using the RL15 in the 308 rounds so hopefully it sticks around in quanities unlike the 205GM primers. I've not yet tried the VV powders yet but after watching a guy at the range today working with his 6BR and the spreads he was getting I think it might be on my to do list! Thanks fella's. Later,

Kirk

quote:

Originally posted by Ksmirk:
...I shoot a BUNCH of 223 ammo in bullet weights from 50 - 75gr. and have been having good luck using RL15 powder but have been thinking here lately there may be something better, ...

Hey Kirk, I've never tried RL-15 in my 223Rem, so it might be even better than what I'm using in my rifle. Just don't know until it is tried.

What size groups are you getting with RL-15? What bullets are you using?

I originally found H4895 and H322 to be the most accurate in my 223Rem. WW-748 and BL-C2 seemed to be a bit faster and almost as accurate.

Then Hodgdon brought out "Benchmark" and my rifle really likes it with 50gr Nosler B-Tips. I use that combo for my "who buys the BBQ" Loads.

For normal carry and Varmint work, I find the 50gr Rem PLHP(not the PSP) to average in the 8s(6s-1") with randomly picked bullets, which is plenty accurate for the distances I use it.

I have had great luck with AA2230 and AA2460.
Can't really say anything bad about the other suggesitons, but the AA are easier for me to get here.

Hot Core, as far a velocity goes I haven't a clue as I'm mainly into an accurate load so I just go back and forth with charge weights and when I get a winner I pretty much stick with it. The load I've been having good results with is 26.0GR. RL15 and a 50gr. V-Max bulletloaded to 2.240COL, this is in a 1-8 twist AR15 rifle (Reason for the short OAL)and the other is 23.0GR. RL15 with a 75gr. A-Max with a 2.50COL (Shot single style) now while I don't have any problems from my rifles be sure to START LOW AND WORK UP! I think the Alliant website states 27.5GR. to be a MAX load but refer to them first. It seems to be a pretty clean powder but I have heard that the velocities can be better with other types of powder but I can cover all my needs with 1 powder if I leave out the Swede. Later and thanks for the input.

Kirk

Kirk:

I got tired of trying to keep track of 29 different powders for only 5 or 6 calibers.
So went to loading everything I shoot with just 4895 and got along fine with them.

My Sako .222mag shot over 6000 rounds before the barrel went to hell. Loading with 25gr.

I agree, 4895 may not be BEST, or fastest, but, it's damn sure a very good average powder in everything from .223 to .375H&H. You can get it in barrel quantities at a better price too.
and everyone carries it.

After I changed barrels and went to .223, I got a good buy on four jugs of AA2200. So went to 25gr in all my .223's from 35 to 55gr. I don't load, or shoot the heavier bullets in it. My velocities were: 55gr/3120, 35 & 40gr/3650fps.
I do wish I'd bought ten more jugs when the prices were good and before they quit making this powder. Am down to about three pounds now.

The only exception is, I use H110, or H4227 in .30 carbine, and Red Dot in other pistols, and plinker loads in anything.

Using only three powders sure has helped keep my sanity and costs down. Plus the storage shelf isn't crowded with a bunch of nearly empty cans.

George