.223 with BLC(2) powder?

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02bigdogs17

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I have a load that I worked up in the winter time and really like it. It is a 55gr Sierra HPBT with 27gr of Hodgdon BLC(2). The Max for this load is 27.5gr. I have been told that this powder is temperature sensitive. My question is has anyone used this load and in what temp? Do you think I will have any issues with it when summer comes and its 90+ degrees out? Thanks for any info.
 
Ive never seen any issues. Just don't leave the rounds in direct sunlight or locked up in car all day.
 
IMO H335 (WC844) is a better choice for 55gr bullets in the .223 but BL-C(2) (WC846) will work fairly well. I have not hear BL-C(2) was temp sensitive, we at least no worse than most other powders. I wouldn't worry too much about you load since it's not at the Max.
 
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ArchAngelCD - WC864, or WC846? Was that a typo?

I ask because I have 16# of WC846, and was under the impression it's nearly the same as BL-C(2).
 
I have tried the H335 powder and could not get the accuracy that BLC(2) has given me. My gun will shoot 1/4" 5 shot groups @100yds with the load I'm using so I would like to stick with it.
 
Blc2 isn't as economical as h335, but it does seem more accurate as it fills the case. The best part about blc2 is that it exists. H335 has a problem in this regard.
 
I found that H335 works well in the upper range of 55g bullet loads, at least out of my 16" Spikes upper. Odd how you cant find any, thats pretty much the only thing available around me. I just recently loaded up some CFE but seems a bit smoky compared to H335. WIsh i could get my hands on some Benchmark to try.
 
One of my favorite loads is 27gr of BL-C2 and a 55gr Sierra. It shoots great but I got flat primers while shooting Prairie Dogs in the hot west Texas sun, so I dropped back a half grain. This was a combo of 100 degree heat, no shade and a hot barrel.
 
I've used the same load for many years and haven't found anything that shoots better in the various .223's I've shot it through.

I've never found it (BLC2) to be particularily temp sensitive. My only observation is that if you are hunting/shooting where the ammo/gun will see temps below 0degF, or above 110deg, you might see some issues.
For cold temps, you'll likely need a magnum primer. For high temps, you'll need to drop back to 26.0-26.5. I've found that at under 26.5gr w/55gr that accuracy starts to drop off.
I've tried several different lot#'s of H335 and have never found it to be more accurate than BLC2. It's not "bad", but just not quite as good.
Neither is it as "flexible' as BLC2 for other cartridges.
I've got an excellent 7mm08 load with 139gr Hornady BT's, and in my .338/06 and bullets lighter than 225gr, it's superior to everthing else I've shot through it.
It's also the most accurate powder I've found for my .35Rem, and is hands-down the most accurate cast bullet powder in the .35 (38.5gr for ~1,920fps).

A former co-worker frequently shoots prararie dogs and carry's his ammo in one of the soft insulated coolers with a frozen "cold pack" he got from his wife that's a nurse and are used to keep medications 'cool' when transported in vehicles by home-health nurses.
He was shooting p-dogs one day and rifle and ammo got so hot, the bolt locked up on a fired round. He also on that hunt shot out the barrel of a .22-250 in about 500rds.
He know's better now !!! And has gone to a match-heavy bbl .223 AR for the "extended" shoots. And he swaps guns after a 30rd magazine.

The only powder I've found to be perhaps less temp sensitive in .223 is RL15, but I only use it in loads with bullets 60gr or heavier.
 
Thank you very much for all the info guys. Like I said I love Blc-2 for my 223 and have tried H335, W748, Imr 3031, CFE223, and VARGET but nothing has given me the accuracy that blc-2 has. I went to my local gun shop yesterday and they had 2 pounds of Hodgdon Benchmark on the shelf that just came in so I bought them and am going to give it a try with the 55gr bullets. I have heard good things about it for the 223. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again.
 
Well, well, it looks like there are so many reloaders here telling me BL-C(2) will deliver better accuracy than H335 I'm going to have to give it another try. I may be old and hardheaded but not so much as to ignore the successes of others without revisiting the matter...
 
27 grains BL-C(2) with a Vmax or Nosler ballistic tip is my go to load for high volume pressing. I've gotten good results on the range with it.
 
Short story: I had a Win Model 70 .223 Westerner that shot 3-4 inches at 100 yards with everything. After a frustrating day at range I decided to sell the rifle. While packing up I saw an envelope of BLC-2 loads (26.5 gr. and 53gr Sierra ) and decided to fire them off. I shot them quickly and much to my amazement they grouped well under an inch. It is my favorite load to this day. Wish I would have kept that rifle as with most guns I sold.
 
Went out this evening to try out some Hodgdon Benchmark loads I loaded. I fired 5 of each starting with 24gr then 24.5gr, and 25gr's. I used a 55gr FBHP MidwayUSA Dogtown bullet OAL: 2.260". I am getting really low on my Sierra 55gr BTHP's so that's why I used a different bullet than my BLC2 loads. Had pretty good luck with the Benchmark. The 24.5gr load shot 5 shots @ .80" and the 25gr load did .58" @ 100 yds. There were no pressure signs and tops for this load is 25.6gr so I think I will increase a little more and see if they tighten up any more. Overall I am pretty happy with the Benchmark. Its not quite as tight of a group that I'm getting with the BLC2 but I did switch bullets so I will have to take that into account. I do have some Hornady 55gr V-Maxs that I think I will try next. One thing I did like about the Benchmark is it seems to be a pretty clean powder.
 
I liked BLC(2) checking my notes I found about 26.4 shot best for me with 55gr dogtowns. As I recall someone else here tested (can't find the thread) and found 26.5 worked best as well. It's right in the middle of Hodgdons listed range.

Meters great thru lee double disks.
 
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