I am shooting a 14" 223. I am shooting 24.0 gr H322. It shoots good. It is max load in my contender. The speed is low by the load tables, about 200 f/s off max speed. I have tried H335 ( my rifle go to powder for 223 ) but the muzzle blast is hugh and speed is not much better. What powder do used for 223?

Mark

I don't give the velocity numbers in load data much creedence. My numbers seldom match up with theirs. I don't load the 223, so someone else can chime in there, but wouldn't be too concerned as long as it shoots where you want it to.

IMR4198 is my PET .222 and .223 powder.....it's is awesome but meters terrible. H322 also works well when I just feel like throwing charges and not trickling each load but does it not drive tacks like IMR4198.

I would try H4198 or Varget--the varget will be compressed and the 4198 is about 85-90% depending on the load.

depending on the brass you are using you may run out of case room using Varget

My best loads with varget were right at the rim of the case--although they were not near the max (not sure how you would load a max load) nor did they show pressure signs

Wow....that's the truth. Varget is a great .223 powder but nevertried it in a handgun length barrel.

I've used 25.0 gr. H322 with 50 gr. Hornady SPs and VMaxes for 30+ years. Who cares about the velocity. I've taken over 1000 groundhogs with this load out to 400 yards with 99.999% one shot stops. Never tried any other loads. You can't improve on perfection.

I'll agree with wvhitman with 25.0 grs of H322, but I put mine under a 40gr Nosler BT varmageddon.

In fact I believe it was one of wvhitmans posts about his load that made me try it in the first place in my .223 15" Encore.

I'm going to try Varget in my 16" Kel Tec rifle one of these days. It sure shoots good out of my .308 striker, but of course that's like comparing apples to Oranges. VARGET had been reccommended to me by several people thay shoot sage rats with a .223

430RUPE
I shoot Varget when shooting Heavy bullet (69 to 82 gr bullets)in a 223 rifle, but like H335 for light bullets 55gr and under. I have some AA2015 loaded for the Contender 14". Sierria's single shot handgun manual shows AA2015 to be the fastest and most accurate for a 50gr bullet.

I am shooting 24gr H322 with a 50gr bullet, 24.5gr is a hot load in my gun ( hard extraction )

Mark

Varget all the way 100% of the time wether its in my TC/ 14 and 16" or my AR match rifle...it is not temperature sensitive either! It is also my choice for 15" .308 and 338-06 my Encores.