Every reloading powder manufacturer will convince you that their product is the best.
They advertise their product to gain sales and profits, which you probably would do if you were in that industry.
So, with every manufacturer claiming to have the best one, how can you know the real ones?
The truth is, there are many good 223 reloading powders, but you must get one that fits your hunting needs.
Before looking at reloading powders, first, know the type of shooter you are. If you are a starter, begin by choosing the bullet you are comfortable using.
You can also select your powder depending on your needs—for example, varmint or small game hunters, target shooters, and recreational shooters.
This article helps you to understand what to consider when choosing gunpowder. We will also mention the best powders to buy to achieve your hunting goals.
Factors To Look For When Choosing The Best Reloading Powder For 223
Once you know your reasons for using the 223 caliber rifles, you can select the best reloading powder. It is challenging to choose a powder due to the many options.
To make the powder buying process simple, consider these factors.
The Rate Of Burning
The rate of burning of gunpowder after the trigger is pulled can determine your hunting success.
A higher burning rate provides a high expulsion velocity, which is suitable for range and accuracy. When buying a 223 powder, ensure it burns smoothly and quickly.
Storage Of The Powder
Storage is the last thing hunters think about when buying gunpowder, but it is crucial.
Most powders you will get in the market are in gel form and require specific conditions to remain in their original structure.
Failure to follow reloading powder storage instructions can lead to spoilage, causing losses.
Besides, the spoiled gunpowder is harmful to your riffle internals, which most hunters protect to the best of their ability.
Most gunpowder manufacturers advise hunters to store the powder in a plastic container under certain conditions.
Storing in metal containers is not recommended because the powder causes rusting. It can tamper with the original structure of the product.
Components Of Gun Powder
Smokeless powders have two variants; single-based and double-based gun powders.
The base components of these two gunpowder types are Nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose.
The single-based powder has nitrocellulose, while the double-based has Nitroglycerine.
The two gunpowder types offer good performance, and you can hardly tell which one is the best. However, most shooters swear by single-based powders.
They claim that the powders burn smoothly, which is a plus.
The double-based gun powders are not widely preferred because of their short lifespan. They also burn with a lot of mess, unlike single-based gunpowder.
However, if you want a powder with high-velocity expulsion, the double-based powder is a good choice.
Consider Your Bullets
The bullets you use will determine the gunpowder you choose. Heavier and bigger bullets require slow-burning powders to maintain the high muzzle velocity for longer.
If you have small bullets, buy the double-based powder.
Cost Of The Powder
It would be best if you did not break the bank to get the best powder for reloading 223. You can get good gun powders at an affordable price.
However, also avoid buying the cheapest powders. They have their cons and might not be the best option.
Most shooters will choose fast-burning gunpowder because it is more cost-effective. Don’t always aim for the most expensive, though.
Some of these powders are overpriced and not cost-effective.
The Best Powder For Reloading 223
Accurate 2230 Powder
The Accurate 2230 is a highly used gunpowder by many .223 owners. First, the powder is from a well-reputable company, Accurate.
The company’s slogan is “our name says it all,” which is true because this gunpowder is consistently accurate.
Accurate 2230 is common among shooters using the medium caliber. It offers an excellent flow, and its grain size of 2230 makes it suitable for the medium gauge.
The powder is also a double-base and has fast burning. It is an excellent high-impact powder.
Shooters can use the Accurate 2230 with firearms like rifles, handguns, and shotguns.
However, it is used primarily with .223 Remington because it was initially made for that.
Hodgdon H335 Powder
Another best powder for reloading 223 that shooters swear by is the Hodgdon H335. It suits well the .223 Hemington, providing perfect accuracy and high velocity.
The powder has a fast burning rate and gives a smooth firing experience to shooters.
The Hodgdon H335 is a tremendous all-around repellant with top performance, commonly used by long-range, varmint, and bench rest shooters.
The military initially used this powder. It became more famous after being used by the 5.56 NATO rounds.
Rabbit, woodchucks, and prairie dog hunters use the Hodgdon H335 for hunting because they require lighter, high-velocity bullets.
Besides, the hunting distances are shorter. The disadvantage of lighter bullets is inaccuracy in high winds.
Hodgdon CFE223
When hunting big animals, you need heavier bullets that give perfect accuracy over longer distances.
Heavier bullets also require a slow-burning powder, which is why the Hodgdon CFE223 is common among long-range shooters.
A fantastic factor about the CFE223 is that it contains additives to reduce copper fouling.
Copper fouling happens when a copper residue comes off the bullet into the gun’s barrel if the gun is left unused for a long time.
It is dangerous to the gun’s barrel and can cause damage.
If you use heavy bullets, the Hodgdon CFE223 powder will work perfectly for you. It is a smokeless powder and is commonly used by the military.
Besides, since the gunpowder burns immediately after firing, it makes cleaning the rifle easy. You can use it with the 204 Ruger, 223 Remington, and 22-250 caliber.
Hodgdon Varget
The Hodgdon Varget powder is common among long-range shooters, varmint hunters, and bench rest shooters.
High-power shooters also find the powder effective for their calibers. The most significant benefit of this powder is that you can use it with any gun.
The Hodgdon Varget powder can load even in high-power settings. It makes it easy to reload your 223 rifles.
It is fast-burning and cost-effective, making it common among shooters.
This gunpowder has a longevity minimum of 20 years. However, you must store it in the correct condition as stated by the manufacturer to avoid spoilage.
There are a few cases of spoilage because premium manufacturers make the powder.
Even extreme temperatures or water spillage in the storage containers won’t cause your Hodgdon powder to spoil.
IMR 4198 Powder
Some shooters swear by the IMR 4198 and claim that it is the best powder for reloading 223.
For over ten years now, IMR still produces the quality 4198 powder that shooters like for its smooth burning.
The gunpowder can be used for small and large bore rifles, but it works best with the .223 caliber. It is because IMR produced the 4198 powder specifically for 223.
The manufacturer uses high-quality chemical stabilizers during its preparation, giving the powder quality performance.
Once you buy the IMR 4198 powder, you won’t worry about expiration. This powder can last for years, even with exposure to high temperatures.
However, ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on storage for longevity.
Although the IMR 4198 was initially for reloading 223, it is compatible with other rifles. You can use it with .221 Fireball, .450 Marlin, and .45-70.
Hunters claim that they automatically feel a performance difference when they use the powder with .223 Remington.
IMR 4895 Powder
Our list of the best powder for reloading 223 could not be complete without the IMR 4895 powder.
This gunpowder is common among sports players, but the military .30-06 round initially used it.
The powder is not picky with cartridges. You can use it with rifles like .223 Remington and .243 Winchester.
IMR 4895 powder does not require frequent reloading and is reliable and affordable.
It offers accuracy to ensure you hit your target when hunting and feel proud of yourself.
Thanks to its perfect chemical composition and burn time, you can also use it when shooting from a long distance.
Final Words
Choosing the best powder for reloading 223 can be challenging because of the many choices in the market.
As a first-time buyer, you must first know the factors to consider when buying gunpowder. The powder you choose also depends on your bullets.
Since it is hard to tell the best powder for reloading 223, you can try those mentioned in our list.
