Some weeks ago, I posted that I had terrible difficulty in finding a good consistent load for the 223, in the 50-55 gr. loadings.

I finally started working with Benchmark and found two ranges where the bullets shot well(Hornady spsx and Speer 50's). Settled on 25.3 gr of BM which is shooting around the .5 mark in both my PacNor barreled Sako and my CZ Varmint. The two accuracy nodes is 25.2-25.4 and the other is 25.7 grains.

I used a number of powders, but BM is certainly the choice in my two guns. Haven't chronographed the loads yet, but that is next.

Good deal, good to hear its working for you. My cooper 223 likes benchmark also. My go to load is 24.8 grs BenchMark, 52 SMK, and CCI BR primer. I get consistent .25 or better 5 shot groups at 100 yrds with it. I am getting 3100 to 3200 range for velocity. Been thinking about trying Gold Medal Match primers to see what happens.
Thanks for the update, and good luck. Sounds like you are on the right path.

Swifty

One of the things I have learned over the years, never give up on a gun unless nothing shoots well.Prior to starting with Benchmark, I was shooting groups with 40 Sierra/Vmax under 1/2" consistently. I just did sit down and measure 5 groups shot this morning from both rifles.

Here are the results:
25.3 BM Speer, .377
" Hornady .367
" " " .391
" " " .237
And a group from the Sako, using a 40 gr. Sierra 1385, measuring .149. These are all three shot groups as that is what I shoot all the time.

After all those rounds poured down those barrels, the magic load suddenly appears.

Awsome Dude. Now shoot over a wind flag, or flags if not already, if so, play with the seating depth a couple thou higher and lower see what does best.
Again great results.

Swifty

Thanks Swifty. There was some wind today, but not enough to make a difference, 2-3 mph. I generally spend my ammo on rockchucks. They are big enough I don't worry much about windage, just hold on one side or the other to compensate for the wind.

In real life, this is about as good as I can shoot. Seven decades make a big difference in how one shoots, but I am more than satisfied with my results.