Thread: Newbie question re: .223

Finally got my shit together and got everything required to be reloading.223, .243 and potentially 6.5 Grendel.

Question is regarding powder type for the.223 specifically, Have a Model 7 with 1-9 twist and looking to load some 64g SP and 69 HPBT Which is the heaviest I think I can go as far as the JBM stability calculator?

Is there anything that would possibly cover both bases powder wise? From the information I have currently 2206h seems to fit the bill (if I can even find it)

Am I way off here?

1:9 will probably stabilise a 73gr ELDM or 77gr TMK just fine too. 2206h works really well and shouldnt be too hard to find. CFE223 & RL15 are also good options & both in stock at reloaders in auckland.

benchmark 2 and 2208 is what I've used with 223 in the past with 55gr to 75gr projectles

H335 is another one.

Yes 2206H will work best with 55 through to 80grn

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Thanks all. I appreciate it

you can also try win 748 you can also use it in your grendel with the lighter pills as well

69gr maybe 73, doubt a 77 will work. 2208 2206H.

I will tackle this one from the other end...instead of asking what powder is best..ask WHAT POWDER CAN YOU GET ???? that will do it.
748 or 2206h would be my first picks as both are great in 223 and 308

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

1:9 will probably stabilise a 73gr ELDM or 77gr TMK just fine too. 2206h works really well and shouldnt be too hard to find. CFE223 & RL15 are also good options & both in stock at reloaders in auckland.

Definitely not the 77grn out of a 1:9 M7. I tested them.

Theres the odd tub of 4895 out there as well, very similar to 2206H. Or try BM8208

I use Win 748 and 2208 good results either way.

Greetings @Preacher,
I have been using AR2206H with the 69 grain HPTBT which works well but I can't fit in the Max charge from the Hodgdons/ ADI data without more compression than I would like. I load 25 grains of AR2206H for 2,950 fps in a T3x Lite with the standard barrel. I am moving to BM8208 which is a touch faster and denser but have not chronographed anything yet. The Hodgdon/ ADI data for this powder is quite a bit lighter than others even though the claimed velocity is similar so it would be best to chronograph and work up to their velocity (adjusted for your barrel length) rather than the charge'
Regards Grandpamac.

What Mickey said is real, at the moment it is a case of finding what you can get.
In some ways I would almost look to diversify rather than get one powder to rule them all. Its can be easier to get one of each animal than two of the same when you are at the shop. But if you really want one to rule them all, don't get too hung up on my advice here, its just my 2c.

Powder equivalents – ADI World Class Powders and Ammunition
This website is helpful, but know that the equivalents can be +/-5%, so don't substitute a different powder directly from published data. Rather go looking for published data of similar loads for that powder, knowing that you will likely find it.


Your best bet is to look across the ADI and the Hogdon websites, find out which powders listed work for the ballistic loads you want to make and make a list of what you can use. Try and include as many powders as you can in that list.
Then go online and hunt around to find out what powder is in stock that you can actually buy. Remember here that you have to pick it up in person unless you have a friend with FAL that can pick it up for you. What ever you can buy that is on the first list you made, is what you can use.

Having just had a quick skim of the ADI load data for your three calibers, it looks like ADI BM2 would be a good starting point, it is listed for most bullet weights in all three calibers you have mentioned, and is more reliably in stock than many powders.

as others have said, 2206h and 2208 are fairly close and should likely work too.

Thanks for that @grandpamac I guess the chronograph will be required sooner rather than later. 17.5" barrel btw. Probably should have mentioned that earlier....

As an aside how best to contact Targex? Here?