.223 powder question

LGS just got some rifle powders in. I have about half a pound of 4198 that I bought when it showed up. I have been happy with the results so far. The had some 4320, 8208, Varget and 4895 as well as more 4198.

Not sure what they will have left tomorrow, but would like opinions on what would be my best purchase for another pound or two.

One thing I like about the 4198 is economy. It is the cheapest of the batch, and uses considerably less powder than the others. All totaled, it makes a noticeable difference in the cost of powder for the .223. Having said that, if there are real advantages to some of the other powders, I would be willing to spend a little more.

FWIW, I am mostly punching holes in paper at distances not over 100 yds. I am using 55 gr SP Hornady bullets.

For what you are using your reloads for, and if you are happy with your results, stay with what works for you. The .223 shoots well with a multitude of different powders.

All the powders you have listed would be a great choice for a 223. 4198 is a hot powder, but if it is working go for it. 4320, Varget, 8208 XBR, and 4895 are all very close in burn rate. 4320 and Varget data can be similar, xbr is a hair faster, and 4895 would be just a hair fast yet. My choice out of all the powder listed is 4895 , but I have had good luck with it. Honestly they would all fit the bill.

Personally I am a Varget man myself. It is more resistant to ambient temperature change, and I have proven this to myself with several different rifles and chamberings. May not be the fastest, but temp resistance and works great in a bunch of different chamberings, so far I have been able to find a good accurate loading with it for all the chambers I currently put it in.

I know its not listed as one of your choices but RL15 in the 223 is my 2nd choice, have had some very accurate loads using it. Figured I'd share that FWIW. but like Patrick said, honestly they would all fit the bill.

8208 and Varget work great...but my experience is limited to 75-90gr bullets.

If you are using H4198 and 55gr bullets, that means you are using somewhere around 20gr of powder per load, that's 350 rounds per pound that in fact does make for cheap shooting, if that works for you great, I know I would not mess with it. lets see

cost per round

6 cents for powder
3 cents for primers
16 cents for bullets

WoW that's 25 cents per round don't mess with that.

Dean

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scope eye

If you are using H4198 and 55gr bullets, that means you are using somewhere around 20gr of powder per load, that's 350 rounds per pound that in fact does make for cheap shooting, if that works for you great, I know I would not mess with it. lets see

cost per round

6 cents for powder
3 cents for primers
16 cents for bullets

WoW that's 25 cents per round don't mess with that.

Dean

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I wish I could get components at your prices. Locally, powder is running $30+ per pound. Most stores are asking $35/lb, if they have anything in stock.

The cheapest price I have found on primers is $40/K. The common price is $50/K.

The good news is that I can get bullets for about .125 each, if I order a K. I just came into a little extra $, so I may order some while I can get them at that price. Locally the Hornadys have been running .17 each.

I am currently using 19.5 grains of 4198. I went up to 19.8, but didn't see any increase in accuracy, so I stuck with 19.5.
I might try some hotter loads when I get a chance to shoot at some longer distances.

Even with bullets at $20.00 per 100 powder at $30.00 per pound and primers at $40.00 per K that is still around 30 cents per shot.

Dean

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scope eye

Even with bullets at $20.00 per 100 powder at $30.00 per pound and primers at $40.00 per K that is still around 30 cents per shot.

Dean

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Yeah, that's what the couple hundred I have loaded so far have been running me. It's a little bit of sticker shock after running .38 spl loads with home cast for under $10 a hundred.

Still, I normally shoot 75 to 100 .38s in a range session. I haven't shot more than 30 in the .223 in one session. Bolt action really slows things down. Not a bad thing actually.

I considered a 308 for this rifle. When I saw 30 cal bullets for $50 a hundred, and powder loads in the 40 - 50 grain range, I decided that the .223 was a better fit for punching holes in paper. Even if I give into my buddy's wanting me to go hunting with him, I can still use the .223 for hogs, and small deer (pretty much all the deer we have around here). DNR is practically begging hunters to take down coyotes in our area, and are strongly encouraging hog hunting. Both of these invasive species are doing a lot of damage.

I am sure you can load 308 for around 40 cents a shot, you can get 308 cal bullets for $20.00 per 100, the primmer is the same, only you get 175 loads out of a pound of powder.

Dean

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scope eye

I am sure you can load 308 for around 40 cents a shot, you can get 308 cal bullets for $20.00 per 100, the primmer is the same, only you get 175 loads out of a pound of powder.

Dean

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I'm sure bullets can be had cheaper than the price my LGS had on 30 cal. Still, .223 is one of the cheapest rifle calibers to load for, unless I went for the pistol caliber lever rifles. I can get FMJs in .224 for .08 - .09 per round. One factor for me is the indoor range around the corner, where I normally shoot will only allow soft points, or hollow points on the range in rifle calibers. I can shoot FMJs at the outdoor range, but I have to spend $8 in gas, and 1/2 to 2 hours driving there and back.

It's not all about the money. If that were the case, I would have purchased a .22 lr weapon. Despite the shortages and price spikes, I could shoot it for far less than I can my .223. I wanted something with a little more punch, something I could reload, and something I have the option of hunting with. If I really wanted to to shoot cheap, I could probably get by with home cast, gas checked, subsonic loads. That combo would end up running very close to what I spend on .38 special. The thought of leading in a small bore, 22" barrel gives me nightmares though. I know how tough it was to clean a 3.5 in, removable 9mm barrel.

I just hope I don't get bored with shooting coin sized groups at long distances and the rifle ends up gathering dust. I've been having a ball with it for the last month.

223's aren't fussy.........8208....Benchmark....H4895....W748

That's what's on my bench.......

This thread prompted me to do some calculating.
.223:
24.5gr Varget = 8.0 per round @ $25 per pound LGS (can't find 8lb jugs)
Nosler 80grCC = 26.0
WSR primer = 3.2
___________________________
37.2 per round

.308:
41.8 IMR4064 = 11.2 (@$150/8lb jug)
Nosler 155CC = 26.0
WLR primer = 3.2
_______________________________
40.4

So, I only spend an extra 3.2 cents per round to shoot my .308. Happy Happy Happy :)

Back to the original question, Varget is really good in my rifle with .160" groups at 100, and MOA at 600. Temp stable in this South Texas heat too.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. As many said, 223 isn't very fussy and does well with a variety of powders....I personally use Winchester 748 for mine, but did just acquire a 8 pounder of IMR 4064 that will serve as a good alternate should I not find anymore 748 in the near future....

Thanks for all the replies. Following the consensus, I went ahead and picked up another lb of 4189. I was a little surprised to see they still had everything still in stock. Maybe if/when things ease up, I may try some of the other powders.

Now I'm going to have to find some .22 lr. My grown daughter has developed an interest in shooting. She has taken a shine to my Ruger Mark I. She shot more .22 today than I have over the last year. She did very well shooting my new Savage as well, but seemed to prefer the pistol. She's a Dr Who fan and had a hoot shooting Dalek targets we printed out with the Savage.

clovishound, your rifle should have the final say it what powder you use! Whatever produces the best, or acceptable, results for you, in your rifle, and your environment, should be the powder you select. The cost-per-round differential will be fairly insignificant unless you're a high volume competitive shooter. Go with what makes you and your rifle happy!