Best ADI powder for 223 rifle reloading

[newgunner]

hey guys/gals,
what is the best ADi powder to use for my first time reloading a 223

.223 52-55 grains? for a tikka super varmint 223

is it 2207,2208 or something else


thanks all

[Sus_scrofa]

Its a matter of trying them out and see what runs the best in your gun, My brother reloads 2206h 55g lead tips in his Sako 223.

[tom604]

i use bm2,,good enough for my 223, you may have to try a few powders/bullets to find the best combo,,hunting or target?

[Apollo]

For 52-55gr bullets I think you will find that AR2207 is too fast a powder and the opposite for AR2208 being too slow and suited to much heavier bullets like around 70gr.

The better powder would be in my opinion and what I use is Bench Mark 2. AR2219 also good and perhaps AR2206H. Then a favourite I have used and close to Bench Mark 2 is AR2206 (not AR2206H) but this powder is no longer made, may still be available at certain shops as old stock. I have a few kilo's still left. One which should perform really well and I haven't done a lot of testing with is Bench Mark 8208 and has reported great results in the USA since they had been using it for a few years before it was released here in Australia.

Really one of the best starting points is to look at the ADI Reloading Manual and pick a powder listed in the middle of those suggested not at the extremes each end. Then it's up to your own rifle to see if it performs as you require.

With some powders being a little hard to acquire then it might come down to what you are able to purchase easily.

[Shotfox]

Tend to agree with Apollo. I use AR2208 for the 55s however the Benchmark 2 for the heavier projectiles seems to be the go in my Tikka

[Westy]

I have a tikka super varmint and I run 22 Grns of Benchmark 1 with 55 grn V-max pills cci primmer 1' MOA at 200 all day everyday!!!! Well it works for me anyways LOL

[Blu333]

I have a Tikka super-varmint and mine loves 25.5 Grn 2206H and 55 Grn V-max. But as everyone has said its all about what your rifle prefers

[handofcod]

I've used only 2208 and 8208 and now use 8208 exclusively. It meters better and is slightly more accurate in my rifles. YMMV

[Warrigul]

You are probably better off sticking to one of the common powders, AR2208, 2206H and the new 8208. They are all capable of good groupings.

BM2, AR2207 and AR2219 are not as easily available (not common stock) and somewhat restricted in their uses.

I've used everything mentioned and no single powder stood out as the ".223 Powder".

Ease of procurement, consistancy and versatility still point to AR2208 as the great all rounder (It is too early to tell with AR8208 so far).

[halberg]

Loading for a mates .223 Savage tested 2208 and 2206H

Super close results but 2206H seemed to have the edge on the day of testing.

Shooting 52gr Sierra Match Kings and some 55gr I can't remember sorry.

[headspace]

My vote goes to 2206H, I'm using Norma brass and find the 25gn of that powder and a 50gn Hornady Vmax to be pretty sweet. I've loaded some hunting loads with 55gn Sierra Game kings and 26gn of 2206H, they will stay well under 1 inch at 100m and only open out to maybe an inch and a half at 200. But as we all say, work up your load and use the ADI tables which you can get online for FREE.
JD

[Rocker]

I was going to point you to a few photos by bigfellascott with his .222 and 22-250.

Both great groups with 2206H.

Here was the topic anyway, maybe he can find the pictures again for you - Best .223 powder

PM if he doesn't see this topic.

[not shore]

Well if you read the articles adi put out about there own loaded 223rem rounds they use 8208 ive haven't tried it yet at least it comes in 1kg lots they load there sierra 55 blitz and 69 HPBT with the 8208

[Blu333]

I use 25.5 GRNS 2206H and .223 Rem 55 gr V-MAX in my super varmint and putting 3 shots easily inside a 20 cent piece at 100-150 yards all day long is child's play.

If i really did my part concentrated i'm sure it could be better if i wasnt just using a bipod (no rear bag, leadsled etc) the load and rifle are definitely out shooting me thats for sure!

[Westy]

I use 25.5 GRNS 2206H and .223 Rem 55 gr V-MAX in my super varmint and putting 3 shots easily inside a 20 cent piece at 100-150 yards all day long is child's play.

If i really did my part concentrated i'm sure it could be better if i wasnt just using a bipod (no rear bag, leadsled etc) the load and rifle are definitely out shooting me thats for sure!

Maybe you could try 22 GRns of Benchmark 1 with those 55grn V-maxes outta your Tikka and you'll be shooting 5 cent pieces all day long at 200M

[Blu333]

I think it's more me at this point in time I havent spent near enough time behind her, compared to my 308's & .22 but I might give it a try when I run out of 2206H

[Seik]

I can never be arsed trying new powders TBH...

Get one that works, stick with it. That's it for me.

Nothing wrong with sticking with 2206H.

[deye243]

I have a tikka super varmint and I run 22 Grns of Benchmark 1 with 55 grn V-max pills cci primmer 1' MOA at 200 all day everyday!!!! Well it works for me anyways LOL

that's a 2" group at 200 yeah ?

[SendIt]

Close enough. If you want to get technical though...

1MOA is 1.047" at 100 yards
or 1.145" at 100 metres.

1MOA at 200 yards is 2.094 inches
or 2.290" at 200 metres.

Close enough, but just FYI that's the exact figures.

[deye243]

Close enough. If you want to get technical though...

1MOA is 1.047" at 100 yards
or 1.145" at 100 metres.

1MOA at 200 yards is 2.094 inches
or 2.290" at 200 metres.

Close enough, but just FYI that's the exact figures.

yep i know i just didn't want to come across as a smart a on me first post ..... i use MOA out to 1300y

[SendIt]

Ha ha. Fair enough.

[Blackened]

yep i know i just didn't want to come across as a smart a on me first post ..... i use MOA out to 1300y

Don't be shy mate, if you know what you're talking about it's always welcome

[1290]

I've gone with 2206h, bought a load of it, (pretty good deal too) it does it all well, from 223Rem 308win through to the mags, even found a recipe for the Lott!! So the '06h does it all!

MoA, I was going to add something here, for those who like numbers I've started a new thread...

[not shore]

Ive try in my 223 rem Ruger American 22" barrel 1:8 twist ,55gr hornady SP 2207 and 2206H with no joy 1'' group best and 100 yd barrel hot etc. I wanted something better I tried W748 and what a joy to powder throw it got 0.2" group with 24 gr that what nosler on the web site for reloading has down for best accuracy for W748 2980fps not getting as hot im sold the only down side is supply

[Jack V]

Look every gun / load / shooter combination is different and you have to find what shoots well for you and your other components .
Start with the most commonly used powder as recommended by the ADI loading guide . AR 2206H is not a bad starting point. Only buy one tin to start with and see how you go . Once you find an accurate load combination then you can buy more and get the same batch .

[Jack V]

Ive try in my 223 rem Ruger American 22" barrel 1:8 twist ,55gr hornady SP 2207 and 2206H with no joy 1'' group best and 100 yd barrel hot etc. I wanted something better I tried W748 and what a joy to powder throw it got 0.2" group with 24 gr that what nosler on the web site for reloading has down for best accuracy for W748 2980fps not getting as hot im sold the only down side is supply

Ball powders can be very accurate and I like the way they meter also but they are more temp sensitive than ADI powders that can upset accuracy in hot summer weather not that I shoot much in real hot weather anyway . I have used 760 in my 30-06 and it shoots real good . Ball powders are also very good for long term storage as they have high chemical stability .

[rigatoni]

Ball powders are also very good for long term storage as they have high chemical stability .

That's the case for all modern propellant though yes?

They all last years and longer, yeah?

[not shore]

Ive try in my 223 rem Ruger American 22" barrel 1:8 twist ,55gr hornady SP 2207 and 2206H with no joy 1'' group best and 100 yd barrel hot etc. I wanted something better I tried W748 and what a joy to powder throw it got 0.2" group with 24 gr that what nosler on the web site for reloading has down for best accuracy for W748 2980fps not getting as hot im sold the only down side is supply

Ball powders can be very accurate and I like the way they meter also but they are more temp sensitive than ADI powders that can upset accuracy in hot summer weather not that I shoot much in real hot weather anyway . I have used 760 in my 30-06 and it shoots real good . Ball powders are also very good for long term storage as they have high chemical stability .

Yes I know about heat factor the test were done on days 25C to 32C when I had my old 222 rem Sportco it loved AR2208 22.5 gr 50gr Winchester SP they looked like ballistic bullet

[Tiiger]

That's the case for all modern propellant though yes?

They all last years and longer, yeah?

Decades if stored in reasonable conditions.

[dickw5000]

The best powder is the one that works best with your rifle and your projectiles. I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .223 that is around 15 years old. When it was new I got reasonable accuracy with factory loads.

I tried W748 with Winchester 55gr PSP and Nosler shots. I got a good load for the Winchesters. I tried BM1 and could not get a consistent grouping and the Nosler / BM1 combination was awful.

I then tried AR2207 and Hornady 55gr spire soft points. 20.2 grains gave me an exceptional grouping, consistently 10 - 12 mm groups at 100m. I think that is outstanding for a budget / mid-price rifle with no work done on it. I've now put close to 7 kg of AR2207 through that barrel and it is still grouping consistently tight. I must be close to 7,000 rounds through that barrel and no signs of accuracy issues.

20.2 gr of AR2207, especially when I buy the 4kg container and bulk projectiles (Hornady SP and Sierra 55gr Gameking / Roo Load) give me a very economical load. It used to be around 33 cents including primer when the Hornady's were $120 per 1000. I think the Sierra's were $130 per 1000, but have gone up.

I have some reduced velocity loads that I use on rabbits and hares and they are equally accurate (7.5gr of Green Dot behind 46gr HP) which gives a nice quiet, tight group out to 100m, but not much more. I am working on a 40gr Z-Max SR4759 load as an alternative to a 17HMR.

My advice is buy 500gr containers of candidate powders, make up loads of 6 rounds of each load from min to max in 0.2 grain increments and shoot 3 shot groups with a cool and warm barrel off a sand bag and record the results. You should find a sweet spot for accuracy, which is what matters right? Give me 2900 fps and 12mm @ 100m grouping over 3250 fps and 25-50mm @ 100m, which might be flatter at 250m, but may not hit a fox's head.

You may find a corelation between powder capacity and accuracy, that is, I find that 1.52cc of powder (regardless of weight / density) seems to be optimum in my rifle. So you may not need to load from mid recommended load to max, if other powders has the groups open up towards max load. Your rifle may be different, but I found a similar pattern with my Howa 1500 in 6.5x55.

Never go outside the load manual's min and max loads for the specified projectile weight and be safe.