Have any of you guys tried Hodgdon's new Benchmark powder in the .223 or .223 Ackley class of cartridges? According to the new Nosler Manual, it is suppose to be THE Powder for best accuracy AND the higest velocity.

http://stevespages.com/224_8.html

And don't believe everything you read in the reloading manuals...especiall Nosler and Barnes...

I have used Benchmark, it has worked well in both these cases. How well it works in your rifle, you can only try it and see. My personal preferance is VV133 in the .223, and VV135 in the .223 Ack. (with 52 gr bullets) ...ol blue

[ 05-27-2003, 01:02: Message edited by: ol blue ]

My Cooper 21 in 223 excells with Benchmark; I use it for the 40-53gr weight bullets, and velocities are typically close to what Hodgdon says it should be. Don't have the latest Nosler book, but past ones have been quite accurate on actual vs printed data, for the cartidges I use.

ol blue, thanks for the reply, do you think you might could share with me the grain weight of Benchmark you are using in the .223 AI?

Hey cris284w, I've also found Hodgdon's Benchmark to provide the absolute best accuracy in my 223Rem with 50gr bullets.

Mine previously liked either H322 or H4895 for the best accuracy. Also found WW-748 and BL-C2 to have acceptable accuracy, but these powders provided a bit more speed(if that is important).

Since everyone needs to develop "their own Loads" from below, for their specific set of cases/primers/bullets and firearm, my Loads would be of no use at all to anyone but me.

Hot Core, Thanks for your comments>>I have used w748 and it is a great powder. My "meat and Patatoes" powder is H-335 for summer time or warm weather but for cold temps., I wanted a stable powder and I was wondering about Benchmark. I live in N. C. but I love to hunt Coyotes. This year I went to Alberta, Canada and also to Texas hunting them. H-335 would have been OK in Texas but in Canada I need a powder that is not affected by low temps. and H-335 "ain't" it...thanks again. If you have any specific loads you would like to share, I would like to hear them...Cris284w

Cris, I worry about posting my loads. There are too many variables. In the .223 AI, with 52gr bullets, I would start at about 26grs Benchmark, and work up slowly from there. (watching for pressure signs of course). The .223 AI is excellent, and a lot of fun to shoot. I am continually amazed by the accuracy and velocity available in this little case.

[ 05-27-2003, 07:08: Message edited by: ol blue ]

ol blue and Hot Core..Thanks for all of your suggestions. Hot Core, I saw 4 Coyotes this past Deer Season in N. C., couldn't get a shot at any of them. First time I have ever seen one in N. C. I'm leaving Friday for S. D. to help out with the P.D. "wars" and as soon as I get back, I'm going to give Benchmark a workout. thanks again...Cris :

[ 05-27-2003, 18:01: Message edited by: cris284w ]

I have been using Benchmark for well over a year and a half. I use it a lot with 40 and 45 grain bullets. It gives great velocity as well as tight groups.

However in each one of my 223s, If I reduce the load at all, the groups start to open up quickly. I stick right up there with Noslers 28 grains for my tightest groups. Also my velocity in all 6 or my 223's is 150fps less than Nosler's manual indicates.

Seafire, Have you tried it in a .223 Ackley??Cris284w

cris284w

Benchmark is made ADI in aus for Hodgdon's. Over here it's called Benchmark 2. I use it in my .223 and find it very good. Good accuracy and velocity.

Load - Win brass, CCI BR primer, 50gn VMAX or Noseler BT - 26.3gn of Benchmark.

You should start 10% under this and work up.

Here is the manual

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/rifle.asp

Snowy

cris284w:

Chris,
Never really saw the use for many of the Ackley stuff. Never knock a man who shoots one.
I just seem to get the same velocity as the Ackley stuff does. I am sure my pressures are a little higher, but still not enough to effect brass life.

I hardly ever trim brass, don't need to. When cases start to chamber hard, then I check the length and trim if need be.

Learned to start using midrange powder for most cartridges ( I am a mid bore user 6mm, 6.5 mm, 270 and 7 mm).

In 22 calibers I use lower end stuff.
Like Blue Dot shot gun powder in 223 loads, then Benchmark with 40 grain bullets for fast loads.
In 22/250 I use reloder 7 and IMR 3031 and get pretty good velocities, with lower powder charges. Also effects throat erosion a lot less than larger capacity powders.

RL 7 in a 22/250, 24 inch barrel.
34.5 grains RL7, 40 grain B.T. or Blitzking
yields 4450 fps. Who needs a Swift??