Powder for 16" 223 and 26" 308?

Str8shooterTX

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2014
Messages
199
Location
The Woodlands Texas
OK powder gurus.
16" 223 AR and 26" bolt 308. In the AR I would only go up to maybe 60-68gr bullet in the AR. Currently only using Fiocchi 40gr and 50gr V-Max bullets with occasional FMJ 55GR PMC Bronze. Anyone use the same powder for both? I see where a faster burn powder could be needed for the 16" 223 and something like IMR 4064 or varget works good for 308. Has anyone tried varget in a 16" barrel? I always run corked so flame thrower would not be an issue but I'd like to get the best FPS I can out of such a short barrel.
I am just getting started in reloading and still have a large bit of ammo in 223 to go through first so I have time. (and plenty of brass from it to use)
 
Short barrel or long barrel makes no difference the powder that gives the most fps in a long barrel will do the same in a short barrel. Varget is a fine powder for heavy bullets in the 223.
 
Short barrel or long barrel makes no difference the powder that gives the most fps in a long barrel will do the same in a short barrel. Varget is a fine powder for heavy bullets in the 223.

I am not sure of this. Doesn't that have to do with burn rate(speed). It is only 16" long compared to 26" 308. Also as I said I will be using only around max 50-65GR bullets as it is an AR and is magazine fed. Larger bullets would probably seat to far out in OAL to be mag fed.
 
I use H4895 for .223 with 50 gr Nosler B.T.s .. In the .308 I use H4895 with 175 SMKs for my match rifles and H4895 with 165 SGK's in my hunting rifles. I have great accuracy and velocity as well. In the AR I have good luck with W748 Sierra 50 Blitzkings and out of a REM 700 LTR it shoots W748 with the Sierra Blizkings and 69 gr SMKs. I believe if you fiddle around enough with a specific powder you can get it to shoot out of both .223 and .308. H4895 also performs good out of 30/06 and 30/30. I guess you could say I like H4895. There are better powders but if it works why change.
 
I would look at IMR8208 / AR Comp/ CFE223 they will work well for both calibers.
There are others too like TAC and WW748
 
I use imr4064 for both. Shoot 55g soft point in my 16inch Ar, and 178amax in my 18 inch 308, same load for my friends 26" rem700 308. All shoot excellent. Was using varget but got sick of looking for it a while back.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 9 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top