Benchmark

[baz]

Never see or hear much about this powder yet it seems just the job for the lighter varmint loads:confused:

[Hares Ear]

Funny you should mention this Baz. I am just reading .223 Data, and I am seriously considering it behind 40 grain slugs.
I will keep you informed

[Elwood]

Absolutely a top powder for .223, I was getting 3400 fps and 52 grain Amax and often had 3 shot groups in the .2 and .3's. I have also used it with good results in my 22.250 and will definitely be trying it in my .22BR.

[blue]

Absolutely a top powder for .223, I was getting 3400 fps and 52 grain Amax and often had 3 shot groups in the .2 and .3's. I have also used it with good results in my 22.250 and will definitely be trying it in my .22BR.

I used this in .17 Rem, 222, 223 (50-55) and 22-250 for 40 grainers.
The speed and accuaracy in the .17 using this from 20s to 30s is not achievable from any other powder I have used.
My 223 hunting load was BM and 52 A-Max and was producing, as previously quoted, 3400 fps and superb accuracy at 300 yards.
The 222 worked well in everything from 40s- 52s again.

This is the best light bullet, small calibre powder I have used and the benefit of a very clean burn makes this a fantastic powder.

[Bomag]

Its supposed to produce good results in 5/35SMc too, which is handy as thats the powder Ive got:D

[davo601]

I've also heard very good things about it when used for the .223 along with 52gr A-max, I've bought some benchmark and am about to get some 52gr A-max, I'll let you know the results......

[Baldie]

Absolutely a top powder for .223, I was getting 3400 fps and 52 grain Amax and often had 3 shot groups in the .2 and .3's.

Hmmmm.

Might have to shelve Plan B (H322) and try some Benchmark then. (Plan C.) :o

[nicolas]

H335 gives me 3400fps [load 26 grns] Sierra match kings 52 grn #1410

[Paul.]

H335 gives me 3400fps [load 26 grns] Sierra match kings 52 grn #1410

And gives me a Sunday lunch + wine when I kick your ass :D :D

[SCW22]

Goes well in the 204, accurate and steady.

Steve

[nicolas]

And gives me a Sunday lunch + wine when I kick your ass :D :D

I'm off to the range in an hour see you later :D

[Baldie]

H335 gives me 3400fps [load 26 grns] Sierra match kings 52 grn #1410


Roight!! :D


I'm currently using H335, and have been using (or trying to use) A-Max 52 grain. First batch loaded by another person shot as well as I might expect, [cloverleaf] with 24.6grn. None of this with magnum primers. [H335=ball powder, innit.]

I've not been able to produce the same result since :rolleyes:. I've now loaded up a fair amount of of ammunition using 40grn V-max as Hornady 40grn factory has been the most consistent out of my rifle by far. The 'plan' today was to shoot off and measure the speed of the Hornady factory I've got left.

I've made in excess of 30 rounds in various powder weights, and with/without magnum primers to try and get a constant speed to match the Hornady factory. I suspect using Lapua brass is making a nonesense of the 'prescribed' powder weights offered by Hodgeson (sp) and Hornady. I've sized the ammunition to pretty much copy the Hornady.....

Last night I de-capped over 60 Hornady cases prior to cleaning, and re-using if necessary. "Frustrating" doesn't come close. It wouldn't be so bad, if I didn't have a conversation with someone last night, who had 'thrown together' a load that gave them 1/2" groups immediately.:rolleyes: :D

Another "Plan" was to buy some 52 (or was 55) grain Noslers, which like H335. [So Nosler say anyway. :D]

Reading this has me interested in Benchmark, rather than H332 which is also a powder favoured for .224 calibre bullets ..... Apparently. :o

.....

[nicolas]

Baldie I to intend to move over to benchmark as Varget is rare and H335 is getting pricey.

Sierra bullets are okay 55 gr A- [v] max are my fav's

[Paul.]

Baldie I to intend to move over to benchmark as Varget is rare and H335 is getting pricey.

Sierra bullets are okay 55 gr A- [v] max are my fav's

Baldie the best load in .223 I have used was a load developed by Nicolas, 52gr Amax with 26gr of Varget. Truely like a Lazor :)

[Baldie]

Hmmm......


Benchmark ... Varget ...... Varget ...... Benchmark ......


You fellas are not really helping...... ;) :p :D :D

[davo601]

Hmmm......


Benchmark ... Varget ...... Varget ...... Benchmark ......


You fellas are not really helping...... ;) :p :D :D

Just to throw in a curve ball, Viht133, also awesome for the .223.....:D

[BoNeS]

just to confuse you more geoff AA 2230 produced those tiny little groups i shot with the old remmy that if i remember worked nice in your rifle as well, cant find it locally closest place is that private RFD just off the a14 near Oundle, clean burn and can acheive 3550fps with 40g noslers, i settled a little lower with 25.5grns of powder and 3400fps, still sub half inch every try

if you want the load data for that round pm me i will happily pass it on for you

[chimp]

Roight!! :D
It wouldn't be so bad, if I didn't have a conversation with someone last night, who had 'thrown together' a load that gave them 1/2" groups immediately.:rolleyes: :D

i wish ! those may have been the results but the hours of researching information,
measuring oal length, measusing chamber length, brass preparation ect. ect.
yes a good result i may be able to improve on, but like all things in life the more you put in the more you get out :D:D:D atb Rob

ps. thanks for last night wink! wink! pub car park nudge! nudge! i'll let you know
what i decide :p

[Baldie]

Roight ...

I'm hopefully going to try some Varget .... though some of it might be wasted while it's burning up along the barrel?

Failing that, currently a toss up between Benchmark and N133 ref this thread (http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266152) found in what looks to be in the wrong place now? :confused: H322 looks popular too. :rolleyes:

My current thinking is I've been using waaaay too little powder. From what I've read on Reloaders dot something, I maybe should be trying 27grns H335 for the 40 grain V-max [which is loaded ready] and 26 grains for the 52 grn A-Max. This puts me in a bit of a quandry, as the new lot of A-Max isn't opened, and could be exchanged for Noslers .....

Mark:

That powder is a bit obscure (though I've seen the results ;) ) so I'll give it a miss his time thanks. :)

[Baldie]

those may have been the results but the hours of researching information,

You didn't mention that at the time though, did ya? ;) :p :D

Makes me feel a whole lot better knowing you didn't just 'magic up' a load for your rifle. :cool: :cool:


Anyway, <and just so everyone else knows what's going on> after the car park visit, in the dark ..... You owe me some money. :eek: :eek: :D

Maybe.

[baz]

I would get the COL right first before worrying which powder;)

Varget or Benchmark are both well recognised as good for .223, theres plenty more but that can wait until you are after the smallest group, you can end up with lots of expensive powders quite easily

I would try a known std load, get the length right and go from there, if your rifle shoots 40grn Vmax factory then copy the length and see how it goes, no point in using magnum primers unless you have to

Some rifles are accurate without being fussy, some calibres are inheritantly accurate, .222 being a good example, mine will shoot just about any load providing the COL is correct, and 1/2 inch with Prvi:eek::)

[Baldie]

I would get the COL right first before worrying which powder;)

I would try a known std load, get the length right and go from there, if your rifle shoots 40grn Vmax factory then copy the length and see how it goes, no point in using magnum primers unless you have to




Easier said than done. ;) :D

My mistake was getting lucky on a weak load, and not using a chrono to tell me it was weak. :rolleyes: H335 is supposed to be a good powder for 223 as well as the others mentioned, and it's why I plumbed for it. I just looked in all the wrong places (books) for load data..... My rifle ain't got a 24" or 26" barrel, and I don't use Winchester brass, which seems to be typical in the US.

To date, my groupings (with homeloads) have not been inspiring. The books say they used magnum primers for H335, and I haven't used them yet. So I've made 10 or so rounds each duplicated with magnum and std primers [20+ rounds]. I'll be chrono'ing everyone of them to see if there's a benefit or not.

I've set the length [off of Stoney Point gauge] same as Hornady, -25 thou. If I can match the speed, I'll be enjoying sub inch groups for somethig like 30p a trigger pull, rather than 85p. I have some 200 yard bunnies that need to be removed, and they are very very very shy. Some places they scarper when I'm 300 yards away!

I don't mind closing the jump. I used someone elses load at the range some time ago. Struggled to close the bolt (not a good sign) but got 3 rounds in the same hole. ;) So I know the rifle can do it.

But I agree, length is everything. :cool: [Said the actress .... :D ]

[chimp]

I would get the COL right first before worrying which powder;)

as above geoff, i knew the gun shot cloverleaf with norma 40 gr v max cos i was
spending a ficking fortune on it ( but made sure i was saving my brass :p) so when it came to reloading i reused the brass, bought the same bullet, and standard primers
which just left powder type / weight and seating depth to research !
settled on 24.4 gr of RL10X and loaded 50 rounds starting .001" of the lands
then increasing in .005" increments. went to the range and found the .010" was easily grouping around .3" to .4" (i was so chuffed i didn't think to measure them exactly) :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
also this load works the brass very little, case length increases by only .003" to .004" per firing and i can even reseat a bullet with out neck sizing !!!! not that i do it just proves a point.
this should mean the brass lasts a while with many cheap reloads:p:p:p