I've been shooting two loads that shot well last year in my 700VS 223, 24grs. under 55VMAX, and 24.5grs. under 52&53
MK, did 25 shot aggs with all, shooting in low wind, 100yds, getting aggs in the 1s, ONE INCH and worse that is! Then I decide to try working the load back up again with the powder going from 23, 23.3, 23.7grs.(VMAX) being that I was getting some cratered primers, and $#!+ accuracy, same thing 1.050" or worse groups with those loads,(today). I did try a different powder that I'm loading for my sons AR15, 21.5grs. RE7, shot a .401", that group was the first shot today, what wind there was seemed to be the same for each load, (5mph)coming out of the south, hitting my back, groups with Benchmark are all stringing vertical for the most part, 3 shots low, 2 a bit higher, one group kinda looks like the little dipper. Can anyone tell me what's going on with this powder I held in such high regard, is now garbage? BTW, it's the same pound I used last year. And I will be loading up some more of the RE7, take that to the bank. Jay

That's a puzzle.



Have you eliminated the mechanical? Checked all screws and degreased/relubed the firing pin and spring? Swapped scopes? Damage to the crown?



Are you sure seating depth is identical to last year's? Put the chrony on it , if velocities are consistent and screws are tight and scope is good, you may have a bedding issue or barrel rub.



(BTW, if you had my luck you'd be grateful for getting it dialed in the first time, not to mention having the romance lasted a whole year... )



Good luck, Jay.

Steve, Scope is fine, action bedded, 9oz Jewell, screws tight, it did shoot a .401" with 21.5grs. of RE7 today, then shot the BM and got crap, actually, the groups I shot last year were'nt shot til end of year, so, I only got a chance to shoot a couple groups with each load, just was hoping that when I shot the aggregate this year that it would be as good as last years groups, not so. I'll try some lower charges and see what they do, if crap, powder goes to the AR15 my son shoots, it shoots as good or better than my rifle with same load. Jay

Jay,

I had somewhat of a similar problem last winter.

I was loading for a friends .257 WBY and it wasn't going well at all. I was pulling my hair out! I had tried all of the top recommended loads; changed bullets; tried different seating depths; top powders etc. and finally changed to one of the less popular powders. It was a miricle!. It came right in and shot extremly well. This was just due to a powder change, and not one of the ones that had a good reputation for this load. The other componets didn't make much difference.

Go figure.

Good luck,

Sam

Was there a big difference in temperature?I noticed you stated that last years groups were shot toward the end of the year.

Yes, when I shot last year it was in the 40s and 50s, suppose that could have something to do with it, never thought about that because Benchmark is an EXTREME powder, but maybe it's more sensitive than I thought, I'll give it(Benchmark) one more chance by loading up some lighter charges, in the mean time, 21.5grs. of RE7 will get the nod for starting pitcher, if that shoots under 1/2" consistantly I'll be a happy guy. Jay

My experience with BM, in my 223, has been just about the same as yours. I went through 2 pounds of the stuff before giving up and making the switch to Reloader 10X. I'm having a ton of fun shooting it with a Hornady 52gr A-Max bullet.

Rick

I was having trouble getting barnes 50 vlc to group in my 1-9 savage. i emailed barnes and asked them for their accuracy load. they sent me a chart with all their bullets and powders. barnes told me that they check accuracy of all their bullets with benchmark. i used there load suggestion and shot a .125 group first time out. its a .5 gun with this load most of the time. H.H.