Benchmark in 223 Rem - 24hourcampfire

I am looking for load data with Benchmark in a 223 Rem. ------------- I AM NOT INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER POWDER THAT WORKS IN "YOUR GUN".--------

Lots at http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle. Not meaning to be a smart alec, I've just had success with near-max charges of several from there.

Benchmark is good stuff.

Don't recall my basis but it is one of the ones I flagged in my initial review (along with Tac).

My (marketing deaf) ear says the name says it all . Check with the benchrest guys...

For what bullet weight. Got plenty of data for 50-52.

My 223’s dig around 26grs or Benchmark under 40’s

26.5 gr Benchmark (max per Nosler, work up or don’t blame me)
50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint (from Shooter’s Pro Shop, half off)
CCI 400 primer
2.276” OAL
3400 FPS out of two Tikkas

Incredibly accurate.

P

Originally Posted by Pharmseller

26.5 gr Benchmark (max per Nosler, work up or don’t blame me)
50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint (from Shooter’s Pro Shop, half off)
CCI 400 primer
2.276” OAL
3400 FPS out of two Tikkas
Incredibly accurate.
P

I got similar results with my Tikka SL and 50 grain Hornady V-Max bullets (COL = 2.250"). I loaded 25.5 grains of Benchmark and ignited it with CCI 400 primers in Win. cases. Sub-moa 5-shot groups and velocities averaged around 3,350 fps measured by my Oehler chronograph at 10 ft.

Other good Benchmark loads in my Tikka SL were with 55 grain Hornady V-Max bullets (COL = 2.263"), and 24.5 and 25.0 grains of Benchmark over CCI 400 primers in Win. cases. Sub-moa 5-shot groups and velocities averages around 3,250 - 3,290 fps measured by my Oehler at 10 ft.

I shoot it out of an 18" compact Ruger American. Tried it cause that is a powder I had and didn't use in anything else. Previously used Win 748 for all 223 loads. Benchmark does very well. I use CCI 450 mags cause I had a bunch. They work great.
Clean burning, dispenses easy, and is fast and accurate.

28 grains of h335 is awesome with 40 gr vmax

These drive by OP's are a riot.

start with Hodgdon's load data info......or here

https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

Albert,

I have a rifle that really likes this combination:

Code

Cartridge          : 5.56 mm NATO - 5.56 x 45 mm
Bullet             : .224, 40, Nosler Varmag HPFB 17225
Useable Case Capaci: 27.853 grain H2O = 1.808 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.260 inch = 57.40 mm
Barrel Length      : 16.0 inch = 406.4 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon Benchmark

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.852% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-18.5   87    22.00   2644     621   29539   7734     75.7    0.903
-16.7   89    22.50   2707     651   31382   7999     77.2    0.882
-14.8   91    23.00   2770     681   33346   8263     78.6    0.862
-13.0   93    23.50   2833     713   35438   8525     80.0    0.841
-11.1   95    24.00   2897     745   37667   8785     81.4    0.821
-09.3   97    24.50   2961     779   40044   9041     82.7    0.797
-07.4   99    25.00   3026     813   42579   9293     84.0    0.775
-05.6  101    25.50   3091     849   45283   9540     85.3    0.753
-03.7  103    26.00   3157     885   48170   9782     86.6    0.732
-01.9  105    26.50   3222     922   51253  10018     87.8    0.711
+00.0  107    27.00   3288     960   54550  10246     88.9    0.691  ! Near Maximum !
+01.9  109    27.50   3355    1000   58077  10467     90.1    0.672  ! Near Maximum !
+03.7  111    28.00   3422    1040   61855  10679     91.1    0.653  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.6  113    28.50   3489    1081   65906  10881     92.2    0.635  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+07.4  115    29.00   3556    1123   70254  11073     93.1    0.618  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+09.3  117    29.50   3624    1166   74929  11253     94.1    0.601  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 3% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 3% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    107    27.00   3350     997   57432  10432     91.1    0.675  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 3% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    107    27.00   3224     923   51703  10029     86.6    0.709

It's a stainless, 16" ultra light Wilson Combat in 1/9 twist.

As I recall, my loads around 26.5 to 27 grains.

I'm a bolt action guy.. I've been using a lot of Benchmark over the last year or two... Bi Mart here in Oregon has been selling it for $23.50 a pound for several years...I've got a good stock of it.. 30 to 40 pounds of it...

I have found that the accuracy gets better and better, the stiffer the charge...

I've been running it with 40 to 60 grain bullets....40s and 53s are my two favorite bullet weights...

40s, 28 grains plus...

53s, 27.5 grains

60s.. 26.5 grains...

That’s good info John, thanks.

I use 25 grains and a 55 grain bullet with my bolt actions and the Mini 14. I have a bunch loaded up for my AR's at 25.6 gr with either a FMJ or 55 grain soft points or V-Max's. It's good powder but slightly pricey.

kwg

23.2 gr behind a 60 grain Nosler BT.

Originally Posted by Seafire

I'm a bolt action guy.. I've been using a lot of Benchmark over the last year or two... Bi Mart here in Oregon has been selling it for $23.50 a pound for several years...I've got a good stock of it.. 30 to 40 pounds of it...

I have found that the accuracy gets better and better, the stiffer the charge...

I've been running it with 40 to 60 grain bullets....40s and 53s are my two favorite bullet weights...

40s, 28 grains plus...

53s, 27.5 grains

60s.. 26.5 grains...

Who’s the birthday boy?

P

I’ve tried to consolidate powders starting about five years ago. I use Benchmark exclusively in 223, 22ppc, 204 R, and 6 ppc. And soon as my 4320 powder supply is gone, it will be converted to Benchmark. I use the loads on Hodgdons web site.

Originally Posted by FatAlbert

--------- I AM NOT INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER POWDER THAT WORKS IN "YOUR GUN".--------

I'm gonna hafta try that all caps thing...seems to be working. Usually within the first two replies on the 'fire someone mentions something you never asked about and is not pertinent to the discussion...

Remington 700 26" 1/12 twist .223:
25.0 gr Benchmark
CCI 400
Hornady 55 gr VMAX
2.255 OAL
LC Brass
3,207 fps

Tikka T3 22.5" 1/10 twist .223:
26.4 gr Benchmark (26.4-26.5 gr is a well known load with 50gr slugs. Work up to this as it's a max load)
CCI 400
Sierra 50 gr Blitzking
2.255 OAL
LC Brass
3,344 fps

Originally Posted by Seafire

I'm a bolt action guy.. I've been using a lot of Benchmark over the last year or two... Bi Mart here in Oregon has been selling it for $23.50 a pound for several years...I've got a good stock of it.. 30 to 40 pounds of it...

I have found that the accuracy gets better and better, the stiffer the charge...

I've been running it with 40 to 60 grain bullets....40s and 53s are my two favorite bullet weights...

40s, 28 grains plus...

53s, 27.5 grains

60s.. 26.5 grains...

I agree, that is good info. I can see where benchmark would be better than my old standby H335 for the lighter pills. I may have to buy a pound of that powder and try it out.. John, if you go to Walmart, you will find the 40gr. Nosler varmageddon bullets for about $15.00/box of 100. One of my buddies likes those bullets in his 223rem and 22-250

Originally Posted by Pharmseller

Originally Posted by Seafire

I'm a bolt action guy.. I've been using a lot of Benchmark over the last year or two... Bi Mart here in Oregon has been selling it for $23.50 a pound for several years...I've got a good stock of it.. 30 to 40 pounds of it...

I have found that the accuracy gets better and better, the stiffer the charge...

I've been running it with 40 to 60 grain bullets....40s and 53s are my two favorite bullet weights...

40s, 28 grains plus...

53s, 27.5 grains

60s.. 26.5 grains...

Who’s the birthday boy?

P

Thanks Pharm... I was out of town and on the east coast over the last couple of weeks... and most of that was traveling from Oregon to New Hampshire and Massachusetts and back...

I'm too old anymore to think about it being time to celebrate another birthday....

but appreciate the sentiment my friend......

Originally Posted by bsa1917hunter

Originally Posted by Seafire

I'm a bolt action guy.. I've been using a lot of Benchmark over the last year or two... Bi Mart here in Oregon has been selling it for $23.50 a pound for several years...I've got a good stock of it.. 30 to 40 pounds of it...

I have found that the accuracy gets better and better, the stiffer the charge...

I've been running it with 40 to 60 grain bullets....40s and 53s are my two favorite bullet weights...

40s, 28 grains plus...

53s, 27.5 grains

60s.. 26.5 grains...

I agree, that is good info. I can see where benchmark would be better than my old standby H335 for the lighter pills. I may have to buy a pound of that powder and try it out.. John, if you go to Walmart, you will find the 40gr. Nosler varmageddon bullets for about $15.00/box of 100. One of my buddies likes those bullets in his 223rem and 22-250

Thanks Lawrence.. but the Wally Marts down here don't sell reloading supplies tho... you can never have enough 22 Cal and 6mm Varmaggeddon bullets on hand, especially at a cheap price...

My Remington.223 loves 25.0 gr of Benchmark with every 55 gr bullet I have tried in it. Great powder. I won’t be running out anytime soon.
GreggH

For my Thompson Center Venture Predator .223, 22" Barrel w/a 1:12" twist, I exclusively load it with Benchmark.

50gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
26.3gr Benchmark
2.260" COL
Winchester Primers

55gr Nosler Varmaggedon
24.2gr Benchmark
2.260" COL
Winchester Primers

55gr Sierra Blitzking Polymer Tipped
24.2gr Benchmark
2.150" COL
Winchester Primers

55gr Wolf FMJ BT
24.2gr Benchmark
2.150" COL
Winchester Primers

60gr Sierra Tipped Match King
21.6gr Benchmark
2.260" COL
Winchester Primers

62gr Hornady FMJ
21.5gr Benchmark
2.200" COL
Winchester Primers

Luckily she's not too picky, but does prefer the 55gr.

Benchmark is also awesome in a 22-250 with 40g NBTs. My 22-250 shoots incredibly well and clocks 4200 with Benchmark and 40s.

Bb

Benchmark is not what I use the most of, but I have several pounds that I can use if needed.

Originally Posted by Burleyboy

Benchmark is also awesome in a 22-250 with 40g NBTs. My 22-250 shoots incredibly well and clocks 4200 with Benchmark and 40s.

Bb

The best powder for 40 grainers in a 22.250 is RL 7....