Why not Benchmark for 223?

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Mohave-Tec

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Without sounding like a butt-head, this thread is not about what your favorite powder is for loading 223. I have Varget for that. What I'd like to know is if there is a reason you wouldn't use Benchmark for loading your 223? I've got 13.5 pounds of it and thousands of 223 I can load with it if Benchmark is all I end up with to load the 223.
Hornady 55gr JBT and Hornady 60gr V-Max.
Thanks all.
 
Well, it will work, or Hodgdon wouldn't list data for it.

Just start at the start, and work up till it works, as always.
rc
 
It's right in the middle, burn rate wise, of a bunch of popular powders for .223, so no reason it wouldn't "work", and will probably give satisfactory or better accuracy. The 60 Gr V Max will be the test for that.

I had a jug and a half of H322 left over from when I switched to N133 in 6PPC, so I finally worked up a couple of loads in .223 with it. I am also using it in .458 Win Mag.
 
It's funny really. I saw thread after thread about how IMR4198 was not great for 223. I bought 2lbs, loaded 500 rounds and they shot great! I've seen a few threads about benchmark and it looks like a great choice to me. People get stuck on the "popular" powder and get attached, then bad mouth everything else because it's not what they use. Weird i tell ya.
 
Benchmark has worked excellently for me, especially in my 60gr - 65gr loadings. Don't know it it'll work the same in other loadings but I'd bet it would.

hostjunkies.... 4198 was a very accurate powder for me in 223... just never gave me quite the same velocity as others.
 
TNBilly - agreed on accuracy, and i don't care about velocity for range ammo. I use H335 for the more serious stuff but i've tried 4198, 322 and AR-comp - all works fine for range work.
 
When I eventually run out of Varget, I'm going to try Benchmark for my .308 and .223s. I have a feeling it's going to be a better metering version of Varget.
 
In working up a 55 gn .223 round, I tried Benchmark along with 5 other powders. Testing with a National Match A2 upper (1:8 from RRA), Benchmark just didn't group as well as some others. H332 won smallest group.

Lou
 
Walkalong, I can't believe I missed it but Benchmark is #80 on the burn rate chart and H335 is #81. Hah. I started buying Benchmark instead of h335 because H335 found it's way all over my bench and my presses but Benchmark is so easy to work with.
 
Benchmark with 50gr Z-Max and V-Max can be a very accurate load. I picked up a pound of it early on in the panic. Sadly it was used up too quickly. Just found another pound a couple weeks ago and was happy to bring it home with me.
 
I had never tried Benchmark for .223 until spring 2013. I found 12lb at a LGS, decided to buy it up since it was close to H335 in burn rate. I have worked up 2 Benchmark loads using CCI primers, and Tula primers, and 55gr bullets. For what I use my AR's for it works great. H335 is still my go to powder, but now I have one more to add to my list along with AA2230, and AA2200.
 
Ive made a load with it. Works fine as far as these inexperienced eyes can tell. It's available most importantly..LGS had it Saturday when I visited.
 
I've used a lot of IMR 3031 for my .223 with great success, and if I'm interpreting load data correctly the Benchmark is very similar. I saw some the other day and would have bought it if I didn't have so much 3031.

I suspect that both the Benchmark and the 3031 are approaching their limit with 55 grain bullets, however, and personally I will be revising my load downwards to about 23.6 the 3031 next time out, with flat based bullets jammed hard.
 
You need 50 grain bullets. It is the best 50 grain powder I have ever used.
 
People get stuck on the "popular" powder and get attached, then bad mouth everything else because it's not what they use.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the world of shooting.

What I find funny is that those with a room full of trophies will usually answer the OP's question with something like "give it a try".

Those that are merely "expert internet shooters" will do the bad mouthing.

Just remember, all rifles and shooters are different. What works well in one combination may turn to crap in another. Only real way is to do a load workup and see what works for YOU and your RIFLE. If you find a great load, just smile and let those "keyboard shooters" carp away.

You'd be amazed at the great results I've had with some of those "no good" powders in both .223 and .308.
 
Great results in a pair of AR's using Benchmark and 55gr VMAX or 53gr HPBT bullets. Still hoping to find some 60gr VMAXs to try with it
 
Not sure what type of 223, but here is my experience. Hope it helps. When I was researching which powder to use for 223 I came across an article which recommended IMR 3031 because it was the powder Armalite used when designing the AR-15. It went further to say that benchmark was also a suitable alternative due to its similar characteristics to 3031. At the time it was the only powder I could find so I decided to give it a try. I have made one range trip with my work ups at 0.5 gn increments. The picture below is my best group with a 16" barrel and a 4X scope @100 yds. Looking forward to refining this round and getting a better scope.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1402541342.034088.jpg
 
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