Just started reloading need some rifle powder advice?

[Predator hunter]

I am reloading for the most part for a 5.56 AR. I have the equipment and the manuals (read them twice) and with the price of powder I'd like to know which one is a good place to start at?

 

[Gluemanz28]

I use IMR 8208 XBR

There's no Target too small for IMR 8208 XBR


IMR's 8208 XBR is a rifle powder based on an old favorite among the benchrest community, real sticklers for accuracy, with a distinct difference. There is virtually no change in velocity with modest or extreme change in temperatures. The ballistics group at IMR has tested this powder from -40 to +165 degrees Fahrenheit with virtually no performance variation.


In the field Mr. Jim Carmichael tested the new powder in a practical way; he won the 2009 Heavy Varmint Aggregate at the International Benchrest Shooters National Championship.


Pleasant weather, cold or hot IMR 8208 fills the bill with championship performance in many cartridges from .223 Remington to .458 Winchester. Whatever you are aiming at it's no match for new IMR 8208 XBR.

 

[Predator hunter]

Very nice so I can use it in my .308 too I like that. How is it dirty wise? Is it a fairly clean burning powder or more of a corrosive powder?

 

[sloughfoot]

There are no corrosive powders. Unless you are going to try FFFG.

Use a ball powder. That is always a good place to start. It is how The military started with the cartridge.

 

[Predator hunter]

My mistake like I said I'm new to it. I shoot a lot of military ammo 5.45 7.62x54 and so on and alway hear about the corrosive aspect to it just figured it was the powder.

 

[sloughfoot]

There is corrosive ammo. But it has always been the primer compound that was corrosive, never the powder.

There are at least a dozen powders suitable for 5.56/223. I'm sure there will be someone that will tout Varget. There are lots of powders besides Varget.

What bullet weight and barrel twist are you loading for?

 

[Jarhead77]

I use H335 with CCI primers ...1:7 twist ...55 and 62 gr fmjbt.

 

[Predator hunter]

55 gr 62 gr 1:7 16" barrel noveske and soon as I get my tax stamp back a 10.5" noveske 1:7

 

[sloughfoot]

I like Win 748 or H335 for 55 and 62's. BLC-2 is good too. Ball powders work well in my experience. Temperature sensitivity is way overrated.

 

[longbarrel]

H335 or Win 748. I like the way 335 meters, but 748 is good as well.

 

[Predator hunter]

Is the H335 or Win748 good for .308 as well or no?

 

[Nevernoluck2]

I used H4895 in a 222,22-250,243 and 308, all would shoot sub moan at a decent velocity, had the 22-250 shooting 50 grain pills at 3800

 

[red_zr24x4]

Accurate 2015, BLC-2, WC844,WC846 I've used all 4 with success

 

[M67]

Are you going to be using your reloads to basically blast steel plates? Accuracy by volume type of thing, or are you wanting to get sub MOA, sub .5 MOA groups with it?

If just going for bulk, I'd find a ball powder that you don't have to use a lot of (5.56 though seems like everything runs 26-31gr) and go for it. Some powder is still a pain to find, pickings might not be optimal.

If going for dead nuts 1 hole groups by benching it, then more than likely you're going to have to try a wide array of powders unless you luck out. I tried 7 different powders through my AR-10 before I found one that shot tight groups (BLC-2, Varget shot like hell).

 

[The Keymaster]

H335 here also. Meters well, and it is a good value compared to some of the other rifle powders.

 

[kwatters]

One other consideration is how are you metering the powder to load? I liked Varget until I bought my Dillon, stick powder was a bit inconsistent. H335 works well for me but I am not shooting match either.

 

[Predator hunter]

The .308 I'll soon be reloading for will be more of a bench rest. But the AR is more for bulk. Been running 3 gun drills and tactical shooting classes and I'm just burning up the brass right now that's why I'm getting into to reloading.

 

[DoctorThunder]

The .308 I'll soon be reloading for will be more of a bench rest. But the AR is more for bulk. Been running 3 gun drills and tactical shooting classes and I'm just burning up the brass right now that's why I'm getting into to reloading.

Here's a list I compiled awhile back with .223 and compatibility with .308. My favorites are Accurate 2230 for its excellent metering and IMR 4895 for its accuracy:

Accurate 2200*
Accurate 2015*
Accurate 2230*
Accurate 2460*
Accurate 2520*
Alliant AR-Comp*
Alliant Power Pro 1200 R
Alliant Power Pro Varmint
Alliant Reloder 7
Alliant Reloder 10X*
Alliant Reloder 15*
Hodgdon H322*
Hodgdon H335*
Hodgdon Benchmark*
Hodgdon BL-C(2)*
Hodgdon CFE 223*
Hodgdon H4895*
Hodgdon H4198
Hodgdon Varget*
IMR 3031*
IMR 8208 XBR*
IMR 4064*
IMR 4198
IMR 4320*
IMR 4895*
Ramshot X-Terminator*
Ramshot TAC*
Vihtavuori N120
Vihtavuori N130
Vihtavuori N133*
Vihtavuori N530
Vihtavuori N135*
Vihtavuori N140*
Winchester 748*


*Also works in .308

This is not an exhaustive list and is a work in progress.

 

[Predator hunter]

Thank you very much that list is very helpful.

 

[Gluemanz28]

Are you confused enough yet? If not I'm sure the Ford, Chevy type opinionators will keep on until you are. Thats the INGO way