View Full Version : Which powder for bulk loading 55gr?
I am about to buy 8# to start loading some .223. I will be loading on a Dillion 650. Using 55gr FMJ out of a 14.5 inch barrel. So far I have pretty much settled on H335 but if there is better choice I would like to hear it. Will be ordering from PV die to I am placing a large order of items from them.
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The only downside to H335 is that it's really flashy, especially with a brake. Other than that it's gtg. Just about any medium fast power will do. I personally like ball powders because they they meter so nicely, but they usually require a more flamey primer to ignite well. WW, CCI, Fed, Rem work well, there may be others that work well also.
I'm running a battle comp as well. Also will be using nothing but Winchester Small Rifle Primers.
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That comp might be a bit less flashy. WW are fine to use. I've used a lot of H335 over the years and almost all of it during daylight hours. During the day the flashiness never bothered me a bit. If you're shooting a bunch at dusk or night you might want to use something else.
Mainly just going to be loading ammo for range and training use. Not really worried about night time shooting but if I do I guess it will be a show :)
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If you do go to a less flashy powder, WW748 is a good, sort of old standard, choice. you may have to use 1g more to get to the same velocity though.
Ramshot TAC works pretty well. I load 24.5gr with Tula/Wolf SRM primers. I think I got this load from MarkM.
Auto-X Fil
02-15-16, 13:39
I really like Reloder 10x for 55gr plinking ammo. 21gr is a nice load that is low pressure, but cycles anything. It's cheap powder, and accurate.
FYI, cheap varmint bullets can be had for the same money as FMJ, and tend to be more accurate. I have a load with $0.08 bullet and 23gr Reloder 10x ($0.06) that will print bugholes from three different ARs. Metering sucks and velocity is pretty variable, but I see no effect on target from that.
H335 is the go to powder for what you want to do.
InfiniteGrim
02-15-16, 14:43
H335 is my go to for several reasons.
1) Availability - Easy to find, even at small local stores
2) Price - Generally $4-8 cheaper per lb than other powders. Available in 45lb Canisters for ~$14/lb (Last I saw was 45lb for $609, 1lb containers average ~$21/lb)
3) Commonality - Lots of people use it, lots of data out there about it, and its similar to WC844 that the military uses for 5.56,
4) Velocity - Gives very good velocity for the amount of powder you use, especially compared to powders like Varget.
5) Consistency - 25.0gr under a 55gr FMJ always gives me good accuracy, no matter the lot, or firearm its shot in.
I have two go to powders for .223; H335 and BL-C2. H335 is just slightly more economical. 2230 is also a good choice. If you go for any of those based on price/availability you can't go wrong.
.46caliber
02-15-16, 20:32
We use Win748, mostly because it's usually available on the shelf of our local reloading store. Been plenty consistent for range fodder. Decent accuracy.
H335 is my go to for several reasons.
1) Availability - Easy to find, even at small local stores
2) Price - Generally $4-8 cheaper per lb than other powders. Available in 45lb Canisters for ~$14/lb (Last I saw was 45lb for $609, 1lb containers average ~$21/lb)
3) Commonality - Lots of people use it, lots of data out there about it, and its similar to WC844 that the military uses for 5.56,
4) Velocity - Gives very good velocity for the amount of powder you use, especially compared to powders like Varget.
5) Consistency - 25.0gr under a 55gr FMJ always gives me good accuracy, no matter the lot, or firearm its shot in.
Where are you finding 45 lb canisters for $609? If you don't mind sharing.
InfiniteGrim
02-15-16, 22:22
Where are you finding 45 lb canisters for $609? If you don't mind sharing.
Its out of stock right now:(and it was actually $605) https://www.natchezss.com/hodgdon-h335-spherical-rifle-powder-4380.html
randyrking
02-16-16, 17:23
I use H335 and am happy with it.
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I like to K.I.S.S with my powder selection...............since I already use a lot of IMR 4895 or IMR 4064 for my Garands, I tried it in .223/5.56 and it worked fantastic, so that's what i have been using.
That's kind of my plan. I load for 3 caliber and want one powder each. I picked up some H335. Found it on sale and bought a jug.
H335 for .223
H4350 for 6.5 creedmoor
VVN320 for 9mm
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+1 for TAC Ramshot -"Ramshot TAC works pretty well. I load 24.5gr with Tula/Wolf SRM primers."
Its out of stock right now:(and it was actually $605) https://www.natchezss.com/hodgdon-h335-spherical-rifle-powder-4380.html
Thanks! Any idea how often they restock it? That's a good deal that I'd be willing to wait for instead of buying by 8 lbs at a time, but if it's something that's been OOS for a year with no signs of coming back...
That's kind of my plan. I load for 3 caliber and want one powder each. I picked up some H335. Found it on sale and bought a jug.
H335 for .223
H4350 for 6.5 creedmoor
VVN320 for 9mm
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Those should work just fine.
RustyKnifeUSMC
02-20-16, 08:56
WC844
ChairborneRanger
02-21-16, 15:19
H335 & WC846 are my "go to" powders.
I run Benchmark for all 50-55 gr ammo. I only run H335 for High flash/Low light fun.
Not looking to hijack this thread but I too am just getting into reloading also with a 650xl.
I'm loading for my 16" middy and also my 10.5" sbr(supresser on order). I'd like to stick with one powder to run in both a dust have standard loads but would i be better to load something specific for the sbr?
Just ordered a batch of Hornady 55gr fmj-bt w/c.
Any info would be greatly appreciated...also any input on primers loads etc...
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I also load bulk 55 grain ammo on a 650, and I have two powders I use for bulk 55 grain .223: TAC and CFE223. They both meter well and work for what the ammo is for. .223 is very easy to find powder for, especially if you are using it for plinking ammo. I have used H335, H322, Xterminator, XBR, TAC, CFE223, Benchmark, and at least a few others in the past, and honestly for plinking it really doesn't matter what you choose to use. Just get 8 pounders, work up a decent load, and go to town. For plinking, once again I really don't personally care that much.
Howdy,
When reloading I try to K.I.S.S. so I only use one powder which is Bl(C)2. It works great so I don't see a reason to switch to a different powder.
Paul
Eurodriver
04-08-16, 14:55
+1 for TAC Ramshot -"Ramshot TAC works pretty well. I load 24.5gr with Tula/Wolf SRM primers."
I can't believe this isn't unanimous.
TAC and 55gr bulk .223 are like the gold standard
I'm gonna toss in another vote for TAC. I've had really good luck with it for bulk 5.56 and 7.62.
And as far as with the 10.5 supresserd and not...stick with tac?
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In addition to the bennefits of TAC from a loading side, it is one of the cheapest rifle powders I have found. I regularly see 8 pounders for 150-160 online. I'll do bulk buys of powder and primers to spread out hazmat, and I'll be good on primers and powder for a year or so.
Tac it is! On a side note, what's ya'll recommend for 9mm running 115g.
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Really I look at it the same way-what is available, cheap, and reliable. I use titegroup, but there are a lot of other options. Unless you have a specific goal in mind (very high velocity for example like loading 9 major for open), there at dozens of powders that will work. I've used hs6, titegroup, cfe pistol, clays, and a few others.
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On a side note, what's ya'll recommend for 9mm running 115g.
VV N320
Best 9mm powder out there. Also likely to be the most expensive and hard to get. I still choose it.
VV N320
Best 9mm powder out there. Also likely to be the most expensive and hard to get. I still choose it.
Thanks I've heard good about that, E3, and TiteGroup...I guess availability upon time of order will help me decide!
And as far as with the 10.5 supresserd and not...stick with tac?
TAC is a tad slow for 10.5. It will work like a champ, but slower powders will erode gas ports and blast baffles much more aggressively. There was a guy on another site who noted that Slow powders mixed with light bullets (i.e. Varget with 55 gr) combined with a carbine gas system DRAMATICALLY increase port erosion. This person was testing barrels/finishes and X-rayed barrels during his testing.
praythenspray
04-11-16, 06:54
Not to Hijack this thread, but do ya'll have a preferred powder for 62 grainers? I have some bulk 55 grainers for plinking as well as 500 rounds of 62 grain Prvi Partizans I picked up for for the same thing. Just curious if anybody has a powder they prefer. As of right now I have access to Benchmark, BL-C2 and some Reloader 15.
TAC is a tad slow for 10.5. It will work like a champ, but slower powders will erode gas ports and blast baffles much more aggressively. There was a guy on another site who noted that Slow powders mixed with light bullets (i.e. Varget with 55 gr) combined with a carbine gas system DRAMATICALLY increase port erosion. This person was testing barrels/finishes and X-rayed barrels during his testing.
Thanks for the heads up - any recommendations for the 10.5? Or as a better option to use across the board?
Thanks for the heads up - any recommendations for the 10.5? Or as a better option to use across the board?
I have found H322 to be quite good. It is dirtier than I prefer, but performs well.
Also, if you go the VV N320 for your 9mm, and find a dealer with VV in stock, then VV N130, and 133 will perform very well, in both the short and standard barrel length for your 223.
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