Ball C and .223

[jaysouth]

Someone just gifted me a 5 lb. jug of Ball C. I have a large stash of Hornady 2267Bs that I would like to work up an accurate range load for. The 2267Bs are Hornady FMJ BT in 55 gr.

I will be shooting them in a Rem 700 light tactical rifle with 20" barrel and 1:9 twist, and maybe in my Handi 22" 1:12 twist.

Does Ball C work best at the low end of published pressure, or should I shoot for highest accurate pressure.

Thanks

 

[entropy]

25.8 gr. is my load for 55 FMJ and V-Max, as well as 55 Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint. Very accurate from both my son's Axis and my DPMS Sportical. (more so from the Axis) Both 1:9 twist. On the middle side pressure wise. You do mean BL-C(2), correct?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

From my loading with BL-C(2) it doesn't need to be at the upper end if the pressure curve to shoot well. Just work up for accuracy as you would with other powders. Usually it will perform better with heavier bullets in the .223, that's why I use it's little brother, H335 with 55gr bullets. That doesn't mean you can't find a good load. If you load for the other NATO cartridge, the 7.62x51/.308 Win., BL-C(2) will work very well there too.

 

[Demi-human]

Does Ball C work best at the low end of published pressure, or should I shoot for highest accurate pressure.

Thanks

Define "works best". Does that mean burns cleanest, is most economical, most accurate or has more velocity for grander terminal effect?

 

[jaysouth]

Yes, Ball C (2), I quit the (1) business because it was discontinued in the 40s.

I always load for accuracy, then adequate performance and then clean shooting. If this case, I am using free powder so I am not concerned about the cost.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Dudedog]

Most accurate BLC(2) charges for me with 55s fell in the upper middle of the range.
26.7 ish

There also seemed to be a node about 1gr lighter, in one of my rifles.


Note:26.7 ok by Hodgdon, over Lymans Max of 26.5
Hodgdon data
55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon BL-C(2) .224" 2.200" 25.5 3069 37,200 CUP 27.5 3313 48,500 CUP

Lyman #50 55gr Softpoint start 23.0 start vel 2525 Max 26.5 2949
Sierra Bolt gun data 55gr 26.0 2800fps MAX 28.1 3100fps
Sierra AR data does not list BLC(2) but they recommend lower charges for ARs than bolt guns with other powders.
For example a Max of 25.7 H335 for AR vs 27.5 for Bolt guns.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223rembolt.pdf
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

 

[Ifishsum]

I burn a good amount of BL-C(2) in my ARs, for 52-55gr bullets I'm in the 26.5-27gr range as far as best accuracy. Closer to max than starting IIRC

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've used 26.9gr for close to 3 decades, as that's what the measure throws. It's a mid-upper load, depending on lot#, and mix of components.
Back in late '90's I had a shooting buddy that had a 26"bbl HEAVY AR15 built by David Sams using a Shilen unturned blank. Gun weighed 18lbs.
With a Nosler 55gr BT over 26.9gr BLC2, and a CCI SRM primer, it would shoot ragged 1-hole groups at 100yds. Recoiled like a HB 10/22! It wore the first Night Force 5-20x scoped I ever saw.
BTW, they were assembled/loaded on a Lee Pro1000 progressive press! At least we were using Winchester brass...