Anyone using Benchmark 1 in a .223?

[JimTom]

I have a bit of Benchmark 1 to use up and have found a load for 55gn projectiles from a previous edition of th ADI reloading manual. New edition stops using BM 1 at 53gn projectiles and switches to BM 2.
Anyone hazard a guess as to why this has changed? I am thinking of that BM2 is more than likely a better powder for 55gn projectiles. Anyone loadIng BM1 and 55gn projectiles in their .223?

[sungazer]

Benchmark 8208 is the better powder again. I think BM1 maybe a little quick, its still going to work ok quick is better than slow in that regard and it is listed for 52 grn so its not far off either.

[Gamerancher]

Drop the 52gr load by a grain, or preferably two, of powder , don't start at max load. Rule of thumb with same powder is that as bullet weight increases, powder charge decreases. Another thing to consider is the amount of bearing surface of the bullet. more bearing surface = more pressure, use lower charge of powder.
This information is general in nature and is only to answer your question, I accept no responsibility for your use of the above.
Best to search out published load data that has been tested.
I would seriously disregard any loads that indicate the use of more powder for a heavier projectile.

[Gwion]

BM8208. Use the ADI website for current data and work up from minimum to begin with.

[JimTom]

G’day Mate.
Yep I always start at minimum and work up and never ever load to maximum.
I am Open to other powders, however I was specifically looking to load BM1 as I have a few tins that I don’t use for anything else and given the cost of everything wouldn’t mind using it up if practical.

[duncan61]

It appears to be a suitable powder to use for .223.In the early days of reloading I used ADI 2205 in my .222 and 50 gn pills but it left a white waxy residue.I would use the ingredients I chose not what I had left over but it is your call

[Gamerancher]

BM1 is perfectly safe to use in .223 with 55gr bullets. If you have found published ( tested ) data, load away. It doesn't look like anyone here has a "pet" load for you so you'll just have to work your own up. I have only used it in .222 Rem and 5.6 x 50 Mag, both with excellent results. Your case lies between those two.

[JimTom]

Here is the data I have found, not entirely complete. That coupled with reading some of the comments, I’m a little inclined to give the BM1 a miss and just use 2208 with the most up to date edition of the ADI data.

BM1 with 55gn

7D05DDEE-823C-43E7-B6B0-7F78408FC68E.png (236.4 KiB) Viewed 12382 times

[sungazer]

No there are a lot of people that just when giving load information are very cautious as they dont want to be responsible for miss information that may cause a issue. I think what you have there and even what is in the current manual that shows its use for lighter projectiles indicates that it is certainly a possible powder to use. It may not be the best one but if you start at the lower load I am sure you will be fine. Its not like you are going to blow the gun up. That information even shows a faster powder than BM1 can be used. If you wanted to be absolutely cautious you could load 20 grns that is less than the minimum shown there but no so much less that it would cause a problem by going too far in the other direction of under loading.

[JimTom]

Yeah all good mate, I Would never load anyone else's load anyway. I was just curious if anyone was using BM1 in a .223. As always I will start at the minimum load and go up in half grain increments, staying below the maximum load, in this case from 20.5 to 21.5 checking the cases as I go to check for any signs that it is getting too hot.
I like to ask others and see what their experiences are before jumping into something like I already know it all. There is always something to learn, and I figure there is a wealth of experience on this forum.
Thanks for the input mate. Sincerely appreciated.

[Gwion]

Sure. I wasn't suggesting BM1 wasn't suitable, just that i have had best success with BM8208. If you've got heaps of it, find some load data and go for broke!

[JimTom]

Tried the BM1 loads with the 55gn projectiles as previously discussed and achieved average results with it. It performed well enough to use however the AR2208 loads performed somewhat better. I guess there is a reason why the 55gn projectile load data has been superseded by ADI in the recent additions of their reloading data.

[deye243]

why use a powder that loses you 300+ fps ?

[JimTom]

why use a powder that loses you 300+ fps ?

Mate the only reason is because I have access to a few tins of it and it won’t cost me anything.
It is purely economics.

[sungazer]

Not so sure you will loose any velocity and it may give good accuracy if it is like the other BM powders

[JimTom]

It shot well enough to use as a hunting load, which is all I want it for. 2208 just shot better.

[Apollo]

When you are looking for any Powder to use from the ADI lists and want the best starting point then choose a powder in the middle of their list.. ie in this case Benchmark 2 or 8208. Be it hunting, varminting or Target they will produce the best accuracy with probably also the best velocity.

Maybe use a different bullet weight if you really want to use a specific powder you have heaps of.

AR2208 is more suited to the top end heavier bullets in a .223R like 70gr and will produce the best accuracy than say a faster powder.

You may be happy with your results but you may also be a long way from having the best accuracy for your use.

[JimTom]

Thanks Apollo. Yes I see your point Sir. I could always use 50gn projectiles to use up the BM1. It was a case of I had a heap of 55gn projectiles and BM1.
Perhaps I am flogging a dead horse.
Thanks for the tip about the intermediate powder. I have some 8208 and will give it a try. Appreciate your input mate. Thank you.

[Apollo]

There is nothing wrong with using lighter bullets if it suits the powder. Probably what I would do if I wanted to get rid of surplus powder or use it in another caliber.

In my CZ527 Varmint .223R (1:9 Twist) I generally load 55gr Bergers for culling Roos but I also use 52 & 50gr. Then again I have also used 36gr Barnes VG which make a complete mess of a Roo's head at 200m, yet alone a Rabbit or Fox. No good for pelts or meat.

Enjoy your experiments, that's what it's all about.

[sungazer]

Not much meat in a roos head

[Apollo]

Not much meat in a roos head

True but the resident two pairs of Wedge Tail Eagles love the pickings and boy aren't they a beautiful bird. I'm lucky to have the family camped close to home.

They don't get much of the rest.

[sungazer]

True I have the same here dont see them much but when a carcass is out the back there onto it.

[anacrolix]

I use 25 gr BM2 behind a 55 gr Sierra 55 gr GameKing.

[Oldbloke]

There are many ways you can reduce loads fore example
My 3006 AS50N 15gr 180 gr cast ~1600 fps
My 223 AS50N 7.6 gr 55gr SP ~ 2200fps

Also cropped straight out of the ADI loading manual.

Reduced loads 75% of Case capacity.JPG (39.94 KiB) Viewed 10479 times

And an extract from a letter sent to me from ADI when I asked about reduced loads.

Reduced loads 60% max 2206H.JPG (72.59 KiB) Viewed 10479 times

If your thinking about reduced loads consider using 2206H and Trail boss.

I use AS2208 for both the 3006 & 223 to a very versaitle powder, But so is 2206H