Best .223 powder

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Best .223 powder

Post by halberg » 30 Nov 2013, 3:02 pm

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get a .223 target rifle and start relolading for it.

I've actually already got a few boxes of Sierra 52gr HPBT MatchKings to load, but what's the best .223 powder in everyone's opinion?

Haven't decided on the rifle exactly yet so can't say what I'll be shooting exactly yet, just gathering what information I can on the reloading ahead of time.

Thanks all.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Baldrick314 » 30 Nov 2013, 3:36 pm

halberg wrote:Hi guys,

I'm looking to get a .223 target rifle and start relolading for it.

I've actually already got a few boxes of Sierra 52gr HPBT MatchKings to load, but what's the best .223 powder in everyone's opinion?

Haven't decided on the rifle exactly yet so can't say what I'll be shooting exactly yet, just gathering what information I can on the reloading ahead of time.

Thanks all.


I was talking at the range the other week with a bloke who got some great results from 2206H and I think he was saying he got alright geoups with 2208 but I may be wrong on that one
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by sha » 30 Nov 2013, 7:52 pm

2206, 2206H and 2208 are all popular.

Nothing to do but try them...
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Noisydad » 01 Dec 2013, 5:07 am

Download ADI's reloading guide. It's free. With a bit of scrounging you'll probably find other powder manufacturers have downloadable guides too.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Tonit » 01 Dec 2013, 8:05 am

Latest version available for download here - http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloade ... on_WEB.pdf
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Hardcast » 01 Dec 2013, 4:24 pm

2206, 2207, 2208, and 8208 all shoot well in my Tikka,, have never tried the Bench Mark 1 or 2.
At the moment I'm just finishing a bottle of 8208 and will probably go again, although the 2208 was certainly equal.

So you see there is plenty to try, what works in one may not necessarily work in the next one.
The bench mark powders were developed for the Target community so they might shoot a heavier projectile better.
Sometimes a CLUB member will sell a cup full of powder, enough to find out if it's any good. Saves forking out for a bottle that mightn't suit.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by reddog » 01 Dec 2013, 6:43 pm

Another vote for 8208 shoots good in my Howa with 55grainers , it is meant to be even better with the heavier pills but I
can't shoot them only got a 1 in 12 twist . Meters really good out of the powder thrower , and I reckon the best thing is how
clean it burns . But as Hardcast said theres plenty to chose from
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by halberg » 02 Dec 2013, 9:12 am

Thanks everyone.

I'm still likely a few weeks away from getting the new rifle, but will pick up a couple boxes of powder in the mean time for testing.

Will post back with results in due course :D
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Bills Shed » 07 Dec 2013, 5:18 pm

My Rem .223 VSSF that I had a while back loved 24.5gn 2206 under the 52 match king.

Please note that was for my rifle and it was safe. Be careful and work your loads up.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Seconds » 08 Dec 2013, 6:48 am

Bills Shed wrote:Please note that was for my rifle and it was safe. Please be careful and work up


Always good advice.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Magoo 223 » 18 Dec 2013, 6:17 pm

I use 2206H & 55gn Sierra in my Tikka 223 lite 1:8 but just brought some 8208 to test
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Warrigul » 18 Dec 2013, 8:00 pm

I tried BM2 as itr was supposed to be the ducks guts in .223 but I found it to be no better than AR2206H and AR2208, just my findings.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Fujix » 18 Dec 2013, 8:02 pm

Warrigul wrote:I tried BM2 as itr was supposed to be the ducks guts in .223 but I found it to be no better than AR2206H and AR2208, just my findings.


No surprise really...

Do two identical things side by side and people seem to think the 'new' one is always better for some reason :roll:
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Warrigul » 19 Dec 2013, 9:26 am

Fujix wrote:
Warrigul wrote:I tried BM2 as itr was supposed to be the ducks guts in .223 but I found it to be no better than AR2206H and AR2208, just my findings.


No surprise really...

Do two identical things side by side and people seem to think the 'new' one is always better for some reason :roll:


Yep, often there is a lack of serious testing done and is opinion rather than fact.

I once loaded up some "play .303 rounds" just to get rid of a bit of AR2209 in a bottle and despite everyone telling me that 2209 is no good for .303 it is now my standard load for 174/180 grain rounds.

There is no substitute for serious testing and whilst BM2 was no better that AR2206H or 2208 it was still acceptable if someone already had it in their cupboard, I only bought some as I couldn't get my Howa under 3/4" at 100, still can't so it is me or the rifle or the load, doesn't really matter as an inch is good enough in the field when all factors are taken into account.

Hearing good things about AR8208 but haven't tried it personally.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Broom » 19 Dec 2013, 10:11 am

Warrigul wrote:Hearing good things about AR8208 but haven't tried it personally.


Meh, I dunno... It's like DVD's.

When they came out everyone said "wow DVD quality is amazing!".

Then HD DVD came out and people said "pfft, DVD is s**t, HD DVD is amazing!"

Then there was Blu-Ray "pffft, HD DVD is s**t, Blue Ray is amazing!"

I see a pattern... :lol:
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by reddog » 20 Dec 2013, 10:33 am

I use 8208 but can't compare it to anything else because it's all I've used in my 223. I cant see much point in changing a load that puts 5 shots into 1/2 inch at 110m

I haven't tried it in my DVD or Blueray to see how it works ?
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by guy pepper » 20 Dec 2013, 10:37 am

I have found at the rifle range here EVERYONE runs 2208 not saying its the best but if that many people are using it, has to be pretty decent
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Monty » 20 Dec 2013, 12:07 pm

reddog wrote:I cant see much point in changing a load that puts 5 shots into 1/2 inch at 110m


Yep.

Bugger putting yourself through the whole load testing process again if you're shooting 1/2 groups.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Warrigul » 20 Dec 2013, 1:04 pm

guy pepper wrote:I have found at the rifle range here EVERYONE runs 2208 not saying its the best but if that many people are using it, has to be pretty decent


If I had to choose one powder it would be AR2208, it is very versatile and suits many things well.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Aster » 20 Dec 2013, 1:33 pm

guy pepper wrote:I have found at the rifle range here EVERYONE runs 2208 not saying its the best but if that many people are using it, has to be pretty decent


Yep, it's been a tried and true powder for many years.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by reddog » 22 Dec 2013, 10:15 am

Don't really know why you would use AR2206 as it is discontinued , pointless working up a load with something you cant buy anymore
and while AR2206H is similar it is not exactaly the same burning rate .
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Tiiger » 22 Dec 2013, 7:43 pm

I thought they started replacing 2206 with 2206H 4-5 years ago now?
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Hinky » 22 Dec 2013, 7:48 pm

From ADI

AR2206H replaces AR2206
11 July 2007
Propellant AR2206H is finally set to replace AR2206 on the Australian & New Zealand reloading market. AR2206H is an improved variation of AR2206, and is designed to optimise heavy projectile performance where it increases projectile velocity while at the same time reduces chamber pressures. It is suitable for use in a similar range of calibres and powder loads as AR2206.


Get it takes more than a few years to empty existing supplies.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by steyroy » 23 Dec 2013, 8:09 am

Geez, you wouldn't think it would take them six years to clear it out though...

They must have acres of warhouses of the stuff if people are still using it.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Seconds » 23 Dec 2013, 9:15 am

steyroy wrote:They must have acres of warhouses of the stuff if people are still using it.


I'd imagine they do.

Surely they make tonnes of the stuff in each batch, more even maybe.

Imagine how much powder they're supplying in popular lines like AR2208 or AR2209.

It would be heeeeeeeeeeeeaps.
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Rob84 » 09 May 2014, 1:54 pm

Try 2206H it's great
Pet load is a 55gr vmax over 26gr of 2206H win primer set 10 thou of the lands shoots under .5 for a 5 shot group at 100m in my kimber longmaster
Work up 1 grain of to start with for any pressure signs
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Westy » 09 May 2014, 7:49 pm

55grn serria using 22Grns of benchmark 1 in a Tikka super varmitor .5"- @100. Shot a 50cent peice 3 outta 4 shots @200 in the wind last Saturday.I'll say it works for me IMHO. But were all diffrent
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by handofcod » 09 May 2014, 8:58 pm

I've never needed to use anything other than 8208. Works fantastically in the Tikka and the Remmie both. Even shoots sub moa groups in the 308!

I'd probably squeeze a few extra fps out using 2208 but since I don't have a chony what's the point?
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by Klem » 13 May 2014, 3:07 pm

handofcod wrote:I'd probably squeeze a few extra fps out using 2208 but since I don't have a chony what's the point?


In any case, there is no point in adding velocity just for the sake of it.

Unless you're shooting serious comps, if you've got a load that's accurate and does enough damage for hunting (if that's what you're using it for) leave well enough alone IMO.

Save yourself the headache :)
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Re: Best .223 powder

Post by headspace » 11 Jun 2014, 2:09 pm

Westy wrote:55grn serria using 22Grns of benchmark 1 in a Tikka super varmitor .5"- @100. Shot a 50cent peice 3 outta 4 shots @200 in the wind last Saturday.I'll say it works for me IMHO. But were all diffrent

If that .50cent piece is still around I'll have it, even if there's a hole in it... :P
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