Bench Mark 2 for 223

[Yes]

G'day all...

Finally drained the last of my stores of AR2206H - found it a fantastic powder in the 223. With the shortages, I ended up going with 1kg of Bench Mark 2 (had the option of 2208/8208) in the hopes something will come in soon, although I think I will be buying one of these three options for some time to come.

I'm using the 55g Super Roos out of a Tikka TX3, CCI primers. The rounds are used solely to shoot roos and foxes on my property.

Looking at the load data - starting load is 24 grain; to save a bit of time and wastage, I was wondering if anyone want to share their experience of a similar load? I ended up at 24.9 grain with the 2206H, which is 0.1 grain under the advised starting load and had amazing accuracy and impact on the target. So if the consensus/advice is simply start at 24.5 grain of BM2 and go from there - I am good with that.

Thanks in advance.

[bigrich]

G'day all...

Finally drained the last of my stores of AR2206H - found it a fantastic powder in the 223. With the shortages, I ended up going with 1kg of Bench Mark 2 (had the option of 2208/8208) in the hopes something will come in soon, although I think I will be buying one of these three options for some time to come.

I'm using the 55g Super Roos out of a Tikka TX3, CCI primers. The rounds are used solely to shoot roos and foxes on my property.

Looking at the load data - starting load is 24 grain; to save a bit of time and wastage, I was wondering if anyone want to share their experience of a similar load? I ended up at 24.9 grain with the 2206H, which is 0.1 grain under the advised starting load and had amazing accuracy and impact on the target. So if the consensus/advice is simply start at 24.5 grain of BM2 and go from there - I am good with that.

Thanks in advance.

i use 23.8gn BM2 with 55vmax, FLS resized fired adi brass in my T3 lite comp rifle. it's in a bell and carlson stock and shoots .2-.3" at 100 when i do my job right . haven't found the need to push faster with that sort of accuracy . it does the job out in the paddock too

[Jorlcrin]

A distance shooting mate gave me his load for BM2 :- 24.5 BM2 behind a 55gn projectile, and I used a COL of 2.260".

I've loaded many thousands of hunting loads on this recipe; found it to be very reliable.

NOTE: While this load LOOKS to be fine for a 55gn SP load like the Super-Roo, I note that ADI list a COL of just 2.200".
My measurement of 2.260" was pulled out of V7 of the Nosler reloading manual for the 55gn Ballistic-Tip pills I was loading at the time, but note that the longest I've found in any my other books was 2.250" for the Sierra rifle manual I have here (~25 years old), which looks to list a very close 55gn SP to the Super-Roo.
I'd strongly suggest you get an idea of what the max COL your rifle can accept, and then work back to what fits in your mag.

[Likely teaching grandma to suck eggs here, but safety is always worth repeating..]

I have moved to larger projectiles in my Tikka CTR .223(68-75gn), and so have moved to AR2208 for the heavier ones.
Still use BM2 for the 55gn loads, though havent made any up for a year or two.

[bladeracer]

...note that the longest I've found in any my other books was 2.250" for the Sierra rifle manual I have here (~25 years old), which looks to list a very close 55gn SP to the Super-Roo.

The SuperRoo is the Sierra Gameking soft-point.

[Cooper]

BM2 works well in my 223s. My pet load was 25.0gr with a 50gr Zmax. Definitely worth starting at the start load. Sometimes you get lucky and it just shoots.

[deye243]

My son uses 25.2g with a 55g speer sp for 5 shots into .55" for 3232fps

[bigrich]

Load data is hard to pin down sometimes. Hornady data is a fair bit tamer than other data. And their starting loads are a few grains less than ADI .I found some old data from Sierra for 222 where their “accuracy “ load with 50’s is hotter than any modern listed data I’ve found . Just use caution with reloading and quite often a good accuracy load isn’t far past the starting loads if good accuracy is what’s needed

[Oldbloke]

Load data is hard to pin down sometimes. Hornady data is a fair bit tamer than other data. And their starting loads are a few grains less than ADI .I found some old data from Sierra for 222 where their “accuracy “ load with 50’s is hotter than any modern listed data I’ve found . Just use caution with reloading and quite often a good accuracy load isn’t far past the starting loads if good accuracy is what’s needed

[Yes]

Thanks, everyone... interesting to see the variance in the loads here. Good reminder that the gun is often a big part of the reloading process and what works for one persons rifle might not suit the next.
I will make up a few at 24.5 and see how it shoots... easy to go up a bit if needed.
Cheers

[Oldrooshooter]

I’ve just purchased .223 HOWA tv ss varmint and have always run BM2 in my .22-250 so have powder!
Was wondering if anyone had a load for .223 with 85gn hpbt projectiles to long range target shoot as well?? It has 1:8 twist and MDT chassis.
Also COL?? Thanks in advance!

[deye243]

For me bm2 is to fast for a 75g pill I use 2208 .
You will hit pressure early and lose a fair bit of velocity.

[Oldrooshooter]

Ah yep do you have a lid for the 85gn and COL?
I will be getting AR2208

[Oldrooshooter]

Ah yep do you have a lid for the 85gn and COL?
I will be getting AR2208 .223 varmint

[Oldrooshooter]

A load for .223 varmint 1:8 twist 85gn hpbt!
And a COL, powder etc for this thanks!

[Oldbloke]

AR2208 does it for me. Like 2206H, very versatile.

IMG_20240518_154814.jpg (52.12 KiB) Viewed 132547 times

[deye243]

Ah yep do you have a lid for the 85gn and COL?
I will be getting AR2208

My apologies for some reason I thought is said 75g .
Not for 85g but I do load 24.5 of 2208 for a 80g VLD berger now for col I have no idea as I have not loaded using a col for decades as all bullets are a different length I use bto and set where the rifle likes it and in the vld case it's 0.007" off the lands.

[Oldrooshooter]

Nosler load data website pretty good! Found 85gn projectile load data for varget which is AR2208 isnt it ???

[bladeracer]

Nosler load data website pretty good! Found 85gn projectile load data for varget which is AR2208 isnt it ???

Yes, AR2208 is sold in the US as Varget by Hodgdon.

[Oldrooshooter]

So I’ve measured bullet jam in my rifle howa .223 varmint ! With nosler hpbt 85gn . COL measured 2.49” . Nosler load data says max 22gns varget at COL. 2.26 max???
I loaded to this and tested but also at 23gns with my COL at 2.43” ! No pressure signs and at 100m was sub moa. Any thoughts about loading COL and more powder than recommended data ??? Is 85gn too big ? What do you recommend for heaviest projectile ( cheapest ) for target and hunting?

[Oldrooshooter]

AR2208 does it for me. Like 2206H, very versatile.

IMG_20240518_154814.jpg

What powder load and COL are you useing for 55gn super roo projectiles? I have plenty of them but so far have just loaded to the specs if Nick Harvey’s Ike manual??

[Jorlcrin]

So I’ve measured bullet jam in my rifle howa .223 varmint ! With nosler hpbt 85gn . COL measured 2.49” . Nosler load data says max 22gns varget at COL. 2.26 max???
I loaded to this and tested but also at 23gns with my COL at 2.43” ! No pressure signs and at 100m was sub moa. Any thoughts about loading COL and more powder than recommended data ??? Is 85gn too big ? What do you recommend for heaviest projectile ( cheapest ) for target and hunting?

I've been using the REXEM(Brisbane Manufacturer) 75gn F-Bomb BTHP projectiles, which he markets as suitable for both target and hunting, and from what I've seen, I'd agree about the hunting side at least.
https://rexem.com.au/ols/categories/224-projectiles

I've also had good results on pigs with Hornady 68gn BTHP match, and 75gn BTHP match pills.
They arent reccommended for hunting, but for Heavy Wallaroos and pigs, they have been working a treat.

My recipe for the 68gn Hornady BTHP Match pills is 24.5gns of AR2208, CCI SRP400 Primer with a COAL of 2.265"
My recipe for the 75gn Hornady BTHP Match/Rexem F-Bomb pills is 24.0gns of AR2208, CCI SRP400 Primer with a COAL of 2.265"

Very minimal pressure signs for the 75gn pills; none for the 68gn loads.

My rifle is a Tikka CTR with a 1:8" twist.
My COAL limitation is more about what would fit in both my CTR mag, as well as my overseers Howa 1500.
If you are loading up for yourself only, you can likely push them out till they just fit in your mag, or just off the Lands(whichever comes first).

Note that I havent chased the tightest group with these loads; they are simply what gives me Sub-MOA groups in 2 rifles being used for hunting only.

ALSO NOTE:- that these recipes work IN MY RIFLE - you need to work up to them if you want to stay safe.
[Likely Teaching Grandma how to suck eggs on that last line, but never too often to preach safety in reloading..]

[Oldrooshooter]

So I’ve measured bullet jam in my rifle howa .223 varmint ! With nosler hpbt 85gn . COL measured 2.49” . Nosler load data says max 22gns varget at COL. 2.26 max???
I loaded to this and tested but also at 23gns with my COL at 2.43” ! No pressure signs and at 100m was sub moa. Any thoughts about loading COL and more powder than recommended data ??? Is 85gn too big ? What do you recommend for heaviest projectile ( cheapest ) for target and hunting?

I've been using the REXEM(Brisbane Manufacturer) 75gn F-Bomb BTHP projectiles, which he markets as suitable for both target and hunting, and from what I've seen, I'd agree about the hunting side at least.
https://rexem.com.au/ols/categories/224-projectiles

I've also had good results on pigs with Hornady 68gn BTHP match, and 75gn BTHP match pills.
They arent reccommended for hunting, but for Heavy Wallaroos and pigs, they have been working a treat.

My recipe for the 68gn Hornady BTHP Match pills is 24.5gns of AR2208, CCI SRP400 Primer with a COAL of 2.265"
My recipe for the 75gn Hornady BTHP Match/Rexem F-Bomb pills is 24.0gns of AR2208, CCI SRP400 Primer with a COAL of 2.265"

Very minimal pressure signs for the 75gn pills; none for the 68gn loads.

My rifle is a Tikka CTR with a 1:8" twist.
My COAL limitation is more about what would fit in both my CTR mag, as well as my overseers Howa 1500.
If you are loading up for yourself only, you can likely push them out till they just fit in your mag, or just off the Lands(whichever comes first).

Note that I havent chased the tightest group with these loads; they are simply what gives me Sub-MOA groups in 2 rifles being used for hunting only.

ALSO NOTE:- that these recipes work IN MY RIFLE - you need to work up to them if you want to stay safe.
[Likely Teaching Grandma how to suck eggs on that last line, but never too often to preach safety in reloading..]

Thanks for that!! Is your measurements from the ogive or COL? Would nearly be compressed loads ?

[Jorlcrin]

Measurements I gave were the Cartridge Overall length; measured as 2.265" from base to tip.
Very slight 'Crunch' as I seat the projectile, but not excessive.

Max seating of the Sierra BTHP MatchKing 69Gn pills when I measured them in my CTR, came in at 1.915" from base to the Ogive, using a Forster Datum dial and digital calipers.
This equated to a COL of 2.3185"; Measured from base to tip.
Max seating of the Hornady Match BTHP 75Gn(NOTE:- NOT ELD-Match) pills when I measured them in my CTR, came in at 1.8875" from base to the Ogive, using a Forster Datum dial and digital calipers.
This equated to a COL of 2.2934"; Measured from base to tip.

Both measurements were touching the Lands with the ogive measurements, so you'd likely need to back off a little.

Given my shortest CTR mag has a Max COL of 2.4", and the overseers Howa has an internal magazine limit of 2.350", I decided to stick to a COL of 2.265" for all my loads.

I note that measuring 5 of the factory ADI 69Gn GameKing rounds I have on hand, that they have an average COL (Base to tip) of 2.235", so I'm a bit longer, but happy with where I'm at.

I have done the same measurement on the REXEM pills, but dont have them to hand.

AGAIN; I have to stress that these measurements are those that I found with my gear and my rifles.
DO NOT RELY UPON THEM FOR YOUR LOADS.
If you want to use them for reference or as a starting point, then fine.
But for your own safety, this stuff has to be dialled in for your particular rifle.

[Oldbloke]

Personally I ignore manual OALs.. Have for a long time

I measure length touching the lands then give them 0.5mm jump.

Horses for courses. But that works well for me.

[bladeracer]

So I’ve measured bullet jam in my rifle howa .223 varmint ! With nosler hpbt 85gn . COL measured 2.49” . Nosler load data says max 22gns varget at COL. 2.26 max???
I loaded to this and tested but also at 23gns with my COL at 2.43” ! No pressure signs and at 100m was sub moa. Any thoughts about loading COL and more powder than recommended data ??? Is 85gn too big ? What do you recommend for heaviest projectile ( cheapest ) for target and hunting?

Bullet seating depth dictates the charge weight, if you load long you are increasing the volume of the combustion chamber and can use more powder before seeing pressure signs, if you load shorter you reduce combustion chamber volume and will see pressure signs at lower charges. 2.260" is the standard length for .223Rem ammunition. I prefer to load as long as I can that will still feed through the action, it increases case volume giving you higher velocities with lower pressures.

For long-range I like the highest BC that is still short enough to stabilise in the twist rate, 80gn ELDM is my preference as I bought heaps on special.

[FTL]

Tac A1
Lapua brass
CCI Primer
Mandrel 222

Nosler Varminter 55gr 24.7gr BM2: 3011fps 10 thou jump BTO (Sinclair Hex 2.787")
Sierra Match King 69gr 22.7gr BM2; 2690fps 10 thou jump BTO (Sinclair Hex 2.789")

[Oldrooshooter]

Has anyone had success as a varmint killer with the 69-85gn nosler bthp match ? Or are they primarily a target pinhole round?

Varget/AR2208 best loads?

[Oldrooshooter]

So I’ve measured bullet jam in my rifle howa .223 varmint ! With nosler hpbt 85gn . COL measured 2.49” . Nosler load data says max 22gns varget at COL. 2.26 max???
I loaded to this and tested but also at 23gns with my COL at 2.43” ! No pressure signs and at 100m was sub moa. Any thoughts about loading COL and more powder than recommended data ??? Is 85gn too big ? What do you recommend for heaviest projectile ( cheapest ) for target and hunting?

I've been using the REXEM(Brisbane Manufacturer) 75gn F-Bomb BTHP projectiles, which he markets as suitable for both target and hunting, and from what I've seen, I'd agree about the hunting side at least.
https://rexem.com.au/ols/categories/224-projectiles

I've also had good results on pigs with Hornady 68gn BTHP match, and 75gn BTHP match pills.
They arent reccommended for hunting, but for Heavy Wallaroos and pigs, they have been working a treat.

My recipe for the 68gn Hornady BTHP Match pills is 24.5gns of AR2208, CCI SRP400 Primer with a COAL of 2.265"
My recipe for the 75gn Hornady BTHP Match/Rexem F-Bomb pills is 24.0gns of AR2208, CCI SRP400 Primer with a COAL of 2.265"

Very minimal pressure signs for the 75gn pills; none for the 68gn loads.

My rifle is a Tikka CTR with a 1:8" twist.
My COAL limitation is more about what would fit in both my CTR mag, as well as my overseers Howa 1500.
If you are loading up for yourself only, you can likely push them out till they just fit in your mag, or just off the Lands(whichever comes first).

Note that I havent chased the tightest group with these loads; they are simply what gives me Sub-MOA groups in 2 rifles being used for hunting only.

ALSO NOTE:- that these recipes work IN MY RIFLE - you need to work up to them if you want to stay safe.
[Likely Teaching Grandma how to suck eggs on that last line, but never too often to preach safety in reloading..]

Thanks for that!! Is your measurements from the ogive or COL? Would nearly be compressed loads ?

I just ordered some 69 and 75 rexem F BOMBS. Can’t wait to use em. I’ve got AR2208

[Oldrooshooter]

The REXEM F BOMBS are excellent
I used 23gn benchmark 2 for the 69gn f bombs seated at 2.28” COL and in windy conditions and an old rattler like me I was at .35 moa!
The 75gn f bombs I found AR2208 the better powder at 23.5gns at 2.43” COL AT .37moa

No pressure signs at all so could probably push harder but found the 69 liked to have more jump than the 75 !
Tested with both powders and was impressed as I’m not that bloody steady .
REXEM is AUSTRALIAN

[Fester]

I started my centerfire shooting and reloading with a 24" medium sporter .223

It was a tack driver but I still tried everything.

.223 is so inherently accurate that all the powders work and mad to use anything other than the bulk pack Sierra Super Roos.
They just shoot so well to anything in .223 range.

I did like the BM2 and 8208 best and found the low node around 24gr to be great for single ragged 5 shot bragging rights.
I ended up settling on 24.6gr of 8208 as it gave me flatter shooting and less drop at 2-300m.
I just seated the pills at 40 thou off as it seemed to make no accuracy difference.

.223 shooting roo loads is just so cheap and accurate it will satisfy me for ever or until the barrel is fully shot out.