I have been reloading .223 now for a few months so I have had a chance to try two powders: IMR3031 and H335. So far I have gotten good results with IMR3031 and great results with H335. But I was thinking of trying Varget. Actually, I don't really want to use the IMR3031 anymore. Anyone out there using Varget for their .223 loads? Have you tried H335? If so which do you prefer? Any information and details would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I have been reloading .223 now for a few months so I have had a chance to try two powders: IMR3031 and H335. So far I have gotten good results with IMR3031 and great results with H335. But I was thinking of trying Varget. Actually, I don't really want to use the IMR3031 anymore. Anyone out there using Varget for their .223 loads? Have you tried H335? If so which do you prefer? Any information and details would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I use Varget.  Meters well and OGC stocks it.

I don't load .223.  My brother uses H335 in his RRA heavy barrel carbine.  It shoots very well, sub MOA, even with thrown charges.

Being a fine ball powder, H335 might meter a touch better than Varget, but Varget is said to be less sensitive to tempature.  In Hawaii, not sure that matters any. maybe if you are out in the hot sun all day?  dunno..  I know some service rifle shooters that use varget in their loads. Varget will probably work better with the heavier projectiles in .223.

I am a service rifle shooter. I use Varget for my "match" ammo 68-80gr BTHP's. Performance consistency in varied temperature is important to me since I travel to the mainland to shoot. It's either hot sun or pouring rain.

I tried varget too.  Worked better for the 68+ grain stuff for me in a 18" RRA varmint upper but H4895 edged it out (H4895 was almost always better than varget in my test loads for 223 and 308).  I like faster burning stuff for 55 grainers.  Currently playing with 2015, and TAC.  I want to try X terminator next.

I've used Varget with great results for 308 and heavier 223.  Its a great powder but it does not meter well due to its long extruded design.
I use Reloder 15 now which has shorter granules and is as versatile as Varget.

Anyone tried IMR 8208 XBR in .223 yet?  I've been using it exclusively in my 6mmbr and also in my .308 with 155s up to 185 Berger BTLR.
This powder is cut very short, meters super good out of my Chargemaster, and should throw equally well. This powder has shown large accuacy windows in both cartridges, and is supposed to be less temp sensitive than Varget.
I would add, it burns way cleaner than Varget and RL-15.

So for kicks I went out and bought a pound of Varget. As soon as I find the bullet weight my rifle likes the best with the H335 I will give her a go with Varget. It's funny that I have a 1 in 9 twist and my rifle seems to really like 50gr Nosler and 69gr Sierra's. It likes almost everything I shoot through it but it groups the best at the extreme weights. Next range session I have some 64gr Berger and 75gr Hornady's loaded up. I suspect the sweet spot is going to be between the 64gr and 69gr. It just amazes me that I accidentally bought the 50gr Noslers thinking they were 60gr (my eye sight is getting worse in my old age) and they matched my best grouping I have with the 69gr Sierras!

Thanks everyone for all your input!!! 

I've used Varget and unless I used a compressed load the results were poor.

Anyone use Accurate 2460?

I've used Varget, but as ren says "it does not meter well."  I'm now using TAC powder - it meters much better & more importantly I have better accuracy with it for both .223 and .308.  And, it costs less.  Only problem is that it seems to never be in stock at our local gun shops.

H335 meters well, but after couple hundred rnds my gun is dirty.  I like varget, but it does not meter well.  Benchmark is where i'm at.

Anyone know where I can get some H335, benchmark or any other good metering (ball) powders for 223?

BTW from what I've heard the Varget and Reloader 15 are great for 223 for the heavier bullets like 69-80 gr.

Anyone know where I can get some H335, benchmark or any other good metering (ball) powders for 223?

BTW from what I've heard the Varget and Reloader 15 are great for 223 for the heavier bullets like 69-80 gr.

You can find H335 at YG, SEC or WGS. They all carry it. It just depends if it is in stock or not. I like H335 a lot. It works well for all my light and mid range bullet weights (55gr - 65gr). And it meters well. I also use Varget for the heavier weight bullets (69 - 77gr) and it works well for those. I have tried Varget for the mid weight bullets (62gr - 65gr) and it works well for those, too. Just not quite as good as the H335. Your mileage may vary.

Varget & Accurate 2230

since we're talking powder I'd be interested in surplus powder such as WC 844 or WC 846 if anyone cares to bring some in. I remember WGS used to bring in quite a bunch of surp powder.

since we're talking powder I'd be interested in surplus powder such as WC 844 or WC 846 if anyone cares to bring some in. I remember WGS used to bring in quite a bunch of surp powder.

Interesting article and comments regarding WC844 and WC846 powders. Per the writers' memory: "WC844 = H335 and WC846 = BLC2"

http://www.223reloads.com/home/223-5-56-info/223-5-56-reloading/wc-846-loads

Per Hodgon's website:
"H335 Originated as a military powder, used for the 5.56 NATO, or 223 Remington as handloaders know it. Obviously, it sees endless use in the 222 Remington, 223 Remington and other small cartridges. ......"

"BLC(2) A spherical powder that began as a military powder used in the 7.62 NATO, commonly known as the 308 Winchester. When it was first introduced to the handloader, benchrest shooters and other target shooters made it an instant success. BL-C(2) works extremely well in the 204 Ruger, 223 Remington, 17 Remington, 22 PPC and of course, the 308 Winchester, plus many more. ..."

I did my research on powders prior to purchasing and I found that from the websites I visited such as 223reloads.com, a lot of people were claiming extreme accuracy with H335 and Varget. There were other powders stated as well such as IMR3031 but the majority I found were talking H335 and Varget. I have to say from my experience these two powders work VERY well for me. While I have tried IMR3031 with disappointing results I am still open to trying others such as BLC(2) and Benchrest. For some unknown reason I have yet put together a military style copy of the 55gr ball round. I have used IMR3031 and I have found accuracy to be compromised in my rifle. After reading the article above I am going to load some similar 55gr military ball ammo this afternoon using H335 and see what results I get.

I have been using Mil surp 488 with awesome results. I have been getting it for 100 / 8# kegs. I would recommend it if you can mail order some.

I have been using Mil surp 488 with awesome results. I have been getting it for 100 / 8# kegs. I would recommend it if you can mail order some.

Really? $100 bucks?? That's like a great price even for the mainland! Even with HAZMAT and shipping fees it would be worth bringing some over at that price. Where have you been getting it from?

http://patsreloading.com - Wideners.com carries it was well. It seems like everything is drying up now because of the election, but hopefully things go the right way and things will loosen up a bit.