reloading 223

[Jim P.]

I just bought some reloading dies for 223 and I would like to reload some plinking rounds for my sons ar. I cant seem to find any good powder for the 223 rounds. All I have is titegroup, norma 204 , and norma 205. Would any of these be safe to load some 223 rounds with. I seen some data for titegroup but you only use 3.1 grains. I wonder if this will make the action work properly.

[Larry Gibson]

None of those powders are suitable for cast or jacketed in the 223/5.56 cartridge in an AR if it is to function. With heavier 75+ gr jacketed bullet, if the AR has a 7 or 8" twist, might be made to work with Norma 204 powder.

Best to find a suitable powder or perhaps trade the 204 or 205 for some?

[Jim P.]

Thanks for the reply. What would be the best powder to use?

[pacomdiver]

H335 for 55g fmj in LC cases, cci primers

[Larry Gibson]

H335 for 55g fmj in LC cases, cci primers

^^^ what he said. 25.5 gr for a max 223 load and 26.5 for a 5.56 load. Good with most 40 - 55 gr bullets.

Also AA2230, H4895, IMR 4895, IMR 3031, RL7, H322, etc. and similar powders in that burning range for up through 55 gr jacketed bullets. There are several new powders also but I've never seen any here.

Look in several loading manuals for the powders listed, those would be the ones to look for.

AA2460, Win 748, Varget, 4064, 4320, etc for the heavier 68 - 90 gr jacketed bullets.

[BentSprings]

2*.* grains of H4198 and the Lee 22/55 bullet gets me minute of soda can out to 250 meters. Even when aiming at the bottom of the soda can. Powdercoated bullets (Smokes) with gas check. Full cycle in a carbine gassed 9 twist 16 inch 223Wylde made with random parts and an A2 stock/buffer/spring = 3K fps and a little change. I quit buying jacketed bullets for the AR after learning how good cast can work in an AR. I just drop the clip on ww bullets into water straight out of the pc oven and size to .225 in a push through type sizer. No expensive equipment needed. The H4198 loads will not cycle the rifle length gas gun of my buddies reliably though. Them Lee bullets will rip a marmot to shreds when the soda cans get boring.

[Hick]

CFE 223 is also really good in 223-- about the same loads as above (I use 25.8 grains for 55 FMJ, 25.2 grains for 62 FMJ)

[Winger Ed.]

Several will work well, but 748 is my long time favorite.

[la5676]

Accurate 2200 is a great powder for lighter bullets in the 223. I love it, and load lots of it. It load great for the 55s too

[rockrat]

I use AA2230 (Ramshot Terminator) in my 52,53 and 55gr bullet loads.

[LeonardC]

OP: check out Western Powders Rifle Load Data on line. They have a page called Rifle-Power to Cartridge Reference List. You can quickly find what powder they recommend for that cartridge...but maybe not best for the bullet, etc. They also have a lot of load data for you to use those powders.

Hodgdon has an excellent site for load data as well.

Staying with your .223, 55 grains +-, and plinking rounds: I like jacketed soft points better than fmj. The fmj are cheaper, but I get noticeably better accuracy (even in plinking) with the soft points.

My favorite powder for this is AA2230.

Powders I'd (and have) pick up for this are: AA2230, X-Term., TAC., Win748, H335 There are lots of others than can be used, but this is my short list.

[robg]

ramshot TAC is my choice.

[Larry Gibson]

Given the shortage situation these days JimP may not have a "choice" but might have to go with what is suitable that he can find....sad times......

[LeonardC]

Yes, the shortage. As in past dry spells, you have to have other choices ready when you see something on the shelf and grab it right now! Over a month ago I saw a # of 2230 and TAC at Sportsman. I was saving my $ in case I saw some primers. Decided I should have grabbed the 2230 and went back in the next day...all gone. We have a "general store" that we frequent and they have a small gun section. They got in some powder and I was able to get some Win748...not my 1st choice, but on my list. Limit of one per day so bought one and they still had one for me the next day. Back to empty shelf ever since, but I've got 500 or so loads of powder that'll do several range trips for the Wife and me.

During one of the past dry spells I'd carry a burn rate chart with me when I made the gun shop rounds. Any thing close that I could use was a buy if I saw it. I got to try some strange powders! And dry times like this are when you use the strange powders you bought during the last dry spell.

Got to make those rounds to the shops often so you can grab something if they get a shipment in. And you've got to beat the "resellers" to it.

[Jim P.]

I realize its not the proper powder but what would happen if I used some of the norma 204

[Jim P.]

I seen some Winchester 760 at fin feather and fur.

[Larry Gibson]

I realize its not the proper powder but what would happen if I used some of the norma 204

That's a good question.....N-204 is a single based powder with a burn rate between the 4350s and 4831. It is intended for "magnum" cartridges.

If you were loading for a bolt or single action I would suggest loading a case full [100% load density] under the heaviest jacketed bullet (assuming a 9" twist?) using SR magnum primers (do you have any?) and give it a try.

However, given you are loading for your son's AR (probable 7 - 9" twist barrel) a couple additional problems may arise; first the powder will probably not burn efficiently meaning it will leave unburned powder that will blow back into the action as it functions. Second the time/pressure curve will be slow which could mean excessive gas port pressure in an already over pressurized system (they are designed that way) and thirdly do not reduce the load to "work up", especially with lighter weight jacketed bullets as an SEE condition (or catastrophic pressure spike) could occur.

My recommendation is not to try it but wait until you can find a suitable powder.

[LeonardC]

Hodgdon site only list Win760 for VERY heavy (80+) loads for the .223. Won't work for you.

Edit: when I told it to look for .223 loads using 55 grain bullets and Win. powder, the only powder listed was Win748.

[Jim P.]

That's a good question.....N-204 is a single based powder with a burn rate between the 4350s and 4831. It is intended for "magnum" cartridges.

If you were loading for a bolt or single action I would suggest loading a case full [100% load density] under the heaviest jacketed bullet (assuming a 9" twist?) using SR magnum primers (do you have any?) and give it a try.

However, given you are loading for your son's AR (probable 7 - 9" twist barrel) a couple additional problems may arise; first the powder will probably not burn efficiently meaning it will leave unburned powder that will blow back into the action as it functions. Second the time/pressure curve will be slow which could mean excessive gas port pressure in an already over pressurized system (they are designed that way) and thirdly do not reduce the load to "work up", especially with lighter weight jacketed bullets as an SEE condition (or catastrophic pressure spike) could occur.

My recommendation is not to try it but wait until you can find a suitable powder.

thanks for the guidance.

[Larry Gibson]

Sorry, I know that wasn't probably what you wanted to hear but many times we just shouldn't do what we think we should....just to be safe.

[Jim P.]

Sorry, I know that wasn't probably what you wanted to hear but many times we just shouldn't do what we think we should....just to be safe.
no problem, I was looking for guidance and that's what you gave me. I'll keep my eye out for some more suitable powder.

[Alferd Packer]

I just bought some reloading dies for 223 and I would like to reload some plinking rounds for my sons ar. I cant seem to find any good powder for the 223 rounds. All I have is titegroup, norma 204 , and norma 205. Would any of these be safe to load some 223 rounds with. I seen some data for titegroup but you only use 3.1 grains. I wonder if this will make the action work properly.

Lyman Cast Bullet Manual no3 is a free pdf online if you Google it and scroll down.
Also check out
c
www.cornellpubs.com
for reprints of the no2 and no3 Lyman manuals Cast Bullet at reasonable prices.Also the have a thousand other reprints available from the earliest Ideal and Lyman Books and manuals.
They are good.;-)

[Jim P.]

I've looked for some suitable powder for the 223 but didnt find a whole lot. I did find some IMR 4198 and some IMR4350 at a gun show for 25.00 per pound. I loaded 4 rounds with the 4198 and it seems to work well in my son's AR. some guys said it is too fast and doesnt want to cycle the gun. my sons gun is a carbine so maybe that helps. I'm not sure if I can use the 4350 powder in the 223 but maybe in my 30-06. I loaded 18.8 grains with a 55 grain sp bullet

[Lloyd Smale]

i use 2230 surplus 844 and 846, 335, tac or exterminator for the most part. 4198 works too but it doesnt meter well enough to load progressively. So i stick to the ball powders.

[DDriller]

Norma N200, Rel 15, and Rel 10x all work well also.

[Boogieman]

With 55gr. FMJ 4198 runs my AR , 16" barrel 1/8 twist just fine. I like Varget better but can't find any. Found some H335 to try next

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I have access to plenty of 55 gr. FMJ bullets, cases and small rifle primers. But only about a half pound of 3031. Because 5.56 was so cheap I never bothered loading it recently. Powder does show up at our lgs. Have to have them set me aside some.

[FullTang]

I've looked for some suitable powder for the 223 but didnt find a whole lot. I did find some IMR 4198 and some IMR4350 at a gun show for 25.00 per pound. I loaded 4 rounds with the 4198 and it seems to work well in my son's AR. some guys said it is too fast and doesnt want to cycle the gun. my sons gun is a carbine so maybe that helps. I'm not sure if I can use the 4350 powder in the 223 but maybe in my 30-06. I loaded 18.8 grains with a 55 grain sp bullet

I like 4198 in .223---nice economical and clean-burning powder. The 4350 is a classic .30-06 powder and won't work in .223.

[poppy42]

I would first ask what weight bullet? I’ve used h335, 3031, 4895, varget, cfe223, to name a few. All depending on what weight bullet I was planning on loading for.

[Noveske86]

If your ever down in Cincinnati area I can point you in right direction for 223 powder.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Reloading .223 takes some care and finesse, particularly for an auto loader. Sizing the cases is a critical step and a good lube is very beneficial. I have been using Lee's product that comes in a tube. You apply it with your fingers and I drag my finger tip over the case mouth so some gets inside the neck. Keep it off the shoulder. The other step that needs close attention is the crimp. I seat and crimp in seperate steps. For my AR's, I only load bullets with cannelures to prevent set back during feeding. It is easy to crimp too much and deform the case at the shoulder. You do not want to load a bunch of rounds that aren't sized enough or have a deformed shoulder.

Good luck!