BLC 2 for .223

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JO JO

JO JO

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I had ran out of Tac and lgs had blc 2 for $21 a lb and no tac in stock so I
picked up a lb of blc 2 I am load .223 target loads how does this do with 55 gr fmj ? I know its designed towards the 308 but will be trying it for my ar using
cci 450 primers an LC brass. for that price and in stock figured I would give it
a try
Thanks
 
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BLC-(2) is outstanding in 223 rem I have used it to 55gr bullets, and would in 60gr bullets I just have never for some reason. It is one of the most accurate powders I have ever used in 222, and 223, it's sperical so if you use a powder measure, and mass load meters,... well like ball powder. There is so many good choices for 223 you just don't hear about some of the old stand by's of just a few years ago which BLC-(2) was, and still is, it's just all these new powder names/numbers and even different colors is all the talk now.
 
picked up a lb of blc 2 I am load .223 target loads how does this do with 55 gr fmj ?
Click to expand...
Don't know but I'd try with 68-77grainers, I really like BL-c2 in 308 win with 168-169gr bullets.
What gun and barrel length are you loading for?
 
I really like BLC(2). For me it seemed to shoot better than H335. Meters great.
I had good results around 26.2 gr using 55 Xtreme FMJs.
Not the most accurate bullet for me by an means but decent and cheap.
 
Blc2 fills the case with 55grain 223s. More accurate, but not quite as economical.
 
Range update , went to range today pretty happy with 25gr of blc 2 and 55gr fmj this powder shot well enough for me :D
 
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Nice shooting Jo Jo.
I did find in my testing that .3 grains made a difference so you might try a bit higher and a bit lower as well if you haven't already. I started at 25 and worked up to 27 but the charge at 26.2 seemed the best for me.
I can't locate it right at the moment but someone here had a work up with target pictures and I seem to recall the found 26.5 to be the ticket for thier rifle with 55s. (if I can find it I will link it)
Listed max varys of course but I have seen 27 and 27.5 with different 55s so at 25gr you probally have room to work up if desire.
(nothing wrong with 25 though, just thinking a little more might shoot better)
Wish I had quickload to run the numbers....
 
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Dude,

I believe I remember commenting on that thread as well. Seems that my rifle liked 26gr of BLC-2 with the 55gr fmj-bt, but I stopped there.
 
Can't seem to find the post with the pics :banghead:
I think I remember you saying 26 worked best for you and was thinking well I am using a load thats only .2th over from being correct.:)
 
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Thanks for that link above one more thing at 25gr do I need to be considering
Temp changes I have read of temp concerns with blc2 this is a new powder for
Me my staple has been tac.
But blc2 seems to work very well all info is appreciated thanks
 
BLC 2 is a good powder. Just some history on the powder. BLC 2 is a commercial canister version of Military powder WC846. WC846 is mainly used for loading 7.62 NATO M-80 ball ammo. WC846 and BLC 2 have Calcium Carbonate in the powder formula.

The original ball powder used in the M-16 ammunition in Southeast Asia conflict had Calcium Carbonate in it's formula. Calcium Carbonate was proven to be an issue with the operation of the M-16. It caused heavy powder fouling in the gas tube and chamber.

To correct this issue, The Military (Olin) changed the formulation of the powder and lowered the levels of the Calcium Carbonate (from 1% down to .25% or less). This corrected the excess fouling issues. This powder is designated WC844 and has been used to load Military 5.56 ammunition for decades. H-335 is a commercial canister version of WC844.

The fouling caused by Calcium Carbonate was not found to be an issue in the 7.62 NATO weapons, but it was an issue in 5.56 weapons, specifically, the M-16 and was lowered or eliminated in 5.56 ammo.

My point being BLC-2 is likely to have some Calcium Carbonate (Ca CO3) in it. I can't find a current MSDS sheet on it. There just may be a bit more powder fouling in BLC-2 when using it in the AR-15.

Some reference reading here: http://www.frfrogspad.com/ar.htm and more here for those interested:http://www.thegunzone.com/556prop.html
There's a lot more on the net on this subject.

For many decades, I used H-335 (and WC844 surplus powder) for my AR-15 reloads.
 
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Thanks Horseman1. I looked and looked but couldn't seem to find it.:eek:
(One rifle prefers 26.2 the other 26.7 decided 26.2 was the best compromise for both)
 
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have you guys noticed any temp issues with low to mid charge weights
 
The only temperature trouble I've had with BL-C(2) was with some .204 ammo that was loaded to max and carried in a backpack on a hot day for 2 hours. Primers were cratered pretty good, but I didn't lose any. It was noticeable enough that I kept a hot weather load that was .3 grains less but I don't really think it is a huge issue if you keep your ammo out of the hot sun and don't leave a live round chambered for long in a hot barrel. I use it in .223 for shooting highpower as well and never had a problem with temp but I am careful to keep my ammo from cooking in the sun. That's where the temp issue is likely to appear (IMHO).
 
Zeroing_zpserrmh22j.jpg

Sighting in a Savage Axis .223 using 24.3 gr. BL-C(2) with 55 FMJBT at 25 yds.
( I point blank zero.) The second group up miked at .14". The first group below it was fired without adjusting the scope at all-I'd had it on an NEF Survivor .223.

Zeroed_zpssmpagcew.jpg


My final zero group in the lower right. .25"

So, yeah, I like BL-C(2). Just got back from the LGS, and they have 6 bottles, and I get paid tomorrow. Gotta pick some up!

As an aside, I just loaded up 250 for my son's Sportical Carbine. 24g of Power Pro Varmint, 55gr. V-Max, CCI 400 in mixed LC and commercial brass. My first time with it, couldn't get any BL-C(2) when he wanted me to start this. He got 11 deer with the Hornady factory load 55 V-Max, so he wanted me to load some up for him. I get the 500 Silver Bear 62gr. SP he got with the rilfe for my trouble. :)
 
Local store blc 2 is 21.95 can't beat that price for target
Stuff the tac and all the newer powders
Are 26.95 and they were out off most except the blc2 I'm thinking for my target
Loads and that price might go get some more
 
I have not seen any temperature sensitivity using BLC-(2) however I use it to load 223, 222 even some 260...many of these were hunting loads, and I know to back off max loads because at 60* working up loads to max you will see a increase when at 100* if you chose a max load.... Loading 260 using varget gives the same thing, and I have seen pressure spikes using varget a temperature insensitive powders advertised as such. I would treat all manufactured powders the same for working up loads, back off the max load in your rifle if you plan to use it for varying weather, temp, a hunting or everyday shooting load.

The 260 load using varget surprised me, however I was using it as much or more for target than varmints, I should have worked up to max then backed off. It was a learning experience, and after that I knew the manufactures advertising of less temperature sensitive powders have no effect nor change for my use. I think any powder when loaded to max at 60* will show pressure signs at 100*+ based on varget performing the same as any of the other powders I have used.
 
I should be safe at 25 gr and 55fmj I believe it is a fairly light load, I plan on
loading it as a bulk target/range loads that can be safe year round lots of good
feed back on this thanks for all the advise
 
That is a safe load but nothing wrong with that if it cycles your rifle and shoots well. I'm usually in the 26.5-27.0 gr range with BL-C(2) and 55gr bullets, it's what my rifles happen to shoot best. I probably started around 23.5 to 24.0 and worked up
 
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