Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles .223 Rem, 75 ELDM, Benchmark?

I have not experienced tighter groups or velocity spreads with benchrest primers, but having confidence in your load is important, so to some they may be a worth the extra cost.

Benchmark is 3031, in a roundabout way.

In the 223 case its best with bullets 60 grain to 40 grain.
That goes for 3031 and Benchmark....

If I really needed added confidence in my loads I would be using 205M's instead of BR-4's
the regular 205's work just fine for me

I use 450s for most everything SRP these days, but saw a post where someone paid $150 for 1000 "benchrest" primers!

H4895 and 77gr Match Kings shoot incredible in my Tikka. Would think it worth a look with ELDM's.

You guys do understand that with Benchmark I’m a hair under 2900 fps with a 0.325” four shot group, right?






P

I chronoed this load today, but just 4 shots. Average was 2915, SD of 12, and ES of 30. High was 2931, low was 2901. Gives me a start, anyway.

When I use my chrono (Magnetospeed Sport) it seems the first shot is almost always faster than the others. Weird.

Either way, I’m not over max, and I’m close to 200 fps slower than the overpressure TAC debacle. So this one might be a keeper.






P

My magnetospeed does the the same thing.

I need to roll a bunch more and re-test for repeatability. I have a field by my house with a great backstop where I can shoot a lot farther than my skill.



P

Why give up on TAC? Your load was too hot, so back it down. Is there a reason you want to switch to Benchmark?

I didn’t get accuracy at the velocity I was looking for with a sane amount of TAC.

And I had a thrower already set up with Benchmark since I use 26.5 gr with 50 gr NBT Varmint.




P

8208 XBR

AR Comp

In that order.

You are welcome.

2900 fps

0.325” 4-shot group so far




P

I'm finding both of those are doing real well with longer bullets in my 6 x 45, and are both accuracy and velocity champs with heavier bullets, there also. 68 to 80 grain bullets in my bolt action 223s, seeing the same results.

$150 is way too much. Regardless of what primer it is. I use a lot of BR4's and have noticed a slight edge. However, in one particular rifle, I had to run 450's because they have a thicker cup. They seem to be pretty consistent, as well. As for some of these threads, Pharm has a problem with the way he develops loads. He is always wanting to start at max, or over max and then wonder why he has issues. There's something wrong when a guy does not want to find OCW, but demands top velocities. With that way of thinking, he will never find the "best" loads. Also, as someone suggested 8208XBR and AR Comp, I'd also have to throw in RL15 and even X-terminator for that bullet as top contenders for accuracy and speed. My list would look more like this:

1. AR Comp
2. 8208XBR
3. RL15
4. X-termintator

.... and I'd definitely "WORK UP"...does Pharm even know what that means?

That's a heavy barrel Tikka, it should be punching one hole groups.

The list should actually be

Lever

8208

AR Comp

But considering his track record, I left Lever out.

Come on now, be truthful. I never start over max, I’ve said that several times. The TAC debacle was the first time in my reloading career that I exceeded book max. Read that sentence again but say it out loud, sometimes that helps with reading comprehension.

The first thing I do after assembling new loads is to check velocity over the chronograph and compare it to the book, adjusted for barrel length. I think the chrono tells me more than a primer’s appearance.

I’ve only been reloading since 2008 (I think) so I’m a newbie compared to many here on the ‘fire. Worth noting that the only trouble I’ve had in load creation for (probably) 25 rifles (multiple loads for each, as well) was the TAC debacle, which was obviously my fault. So I don’t have issues, I had an issue, (singular) which was obviously my error.

I like my process. It works and it’s safe. And in better hands I’m certain my Tikka Varmint could punch one-hole groups, but I’m not that good.





P

My Superlite shot 50-65 grain bullets into cloverleafs with about any combo of powder I tried.

Really struggled with 75s and 77 TMKs. Lever was a 2” average from 23-27 grains. Varget about 1.5” across the board. 8208 1.25”. All 5 shot groups. Can’t remember what 748 and H335 was exactly, but was in the 1-2” range.

Loaded a few rounds with IMR 4895, up to 22.5 grains, and the 4 5-shot groups averaged .782”, 22.5 being the tightest.

I think I’ll load 20 more, if the speed is somewhere decent, I’ll call this one good.

People ALWAYS seem to overlook IMR and H 4895 any more, especially in the 223. It just plain works.

W748 is never a bad choice in the 223. I find H322 and Benchmark always good shooters in the 223. If they don't shoot small groups, it is something with the rifle or its barrel.

If accuracy is an issue from your barrel, then 3031 should be your choice. Not TOP velocity, but its always accurate in my experience and you don't give up much in max velocity. and don't overlook good old RL 7 or IMR 4198 in a 223.
I've said for decades, it is harder to find a powder that WON'T shoot well in a 223, than it is to find one powder that will outshoot all the rest. a 222 or 223, have got to be two of the most unfinicky cartridges out there in heavy use.

Hit the range yesterday to shake the cobwebs out.



That’s pretty good for me, especially in the wind.



Shot at distance today, kinda windy.



Took me awhile to adjust for the wind, but once I made the necessary corrections I did okay.

10 ring is 7”, each successive ring is 3”.





P