Benchmark Powder

Ravage

New member
I am looking for some views or input on hogdon benchmark powder. I have been loading 55gr vmax's with 25grains of powder into a .223 with it. My first loads into the brass I am using were what I consider very good. 1" groups at 200yrds. Now my second loads into this brass are grouping 5" at 200yrds. Planning to hit the drawing board again and am considering looking at different powders along with different bullets. What are the thoughts on this powder? I am pretty new to reloading and haven't tried any other powders yet.
 
Try 24.5gr of Benchmark and Winchester Primers pushing that bullet. I had good luck with that when I had my hbar elite.
 
I've loaded Benchmark extensively in both the .204 and the .223, but have always found that it performed best for me when the loads weren't "pushing the envelope" on velocity. Moderate speeds seemed to always group better. Benchmark and 60gr VMax was as good in the accuracy department as anything else that I loaded for the caliber you're using.
 
Originally Posted By: HidalgoI've loaded Benchmark extensively in both the .204 and the .223, but have always found that it performed best for me when the loads weren't "pushing the envelope" on velocity. Moderate speeds seemed to always group better. Benchmark and 60gr VMax was as good in the accuracy department as anything else that I loaded for the caliber you're using.

I will agree with Hidalgo on not loading Benchmark too hot. I use Benchmark quite a bit loading for the 223 Rem. I have found that using approximately the middle of the load range for a given weight bullet has given the best results with this powder.

24.2 grains has been the best load with several 52 gr. bullets, and 23.6 has been the best load with 60 gr. bullets. Going more towards the max load makes the groups open up quite a bit.
 
1" groups at 200 yards I would consider good as well. I wouldn`t give up on the powder yet. Look at consistancy in your reloading practices, would be the best advice I could give.
A couple questions I wonder. Same batch of powder? First new brass, then once reloaded?
I am pretty new to reloading also...I am figuring out that sometimes it`s just like you said.."back to the drawing Board".
Welcome to PM`s
 
My 223rem. likes 25.5grs of benchmark with Nosler 50gr. bts. Using CCI 400 small rifle primers. Very accurate in my Remington 700 SPS Varmint 26" barrel.
 
If you got 1" groups at 200 yards I wouldn't be looking at different powders. I'd see what changed about the brass.
 
Thanks for all the input. It's really nice having a group of "peers" to turn to for advise on this stuff. I believe I will stick to benchmark. Yes Hooked, it is out of the same batch of powder and the second reload on new brass.

After reading the replies I think maybe I need to double check ALL my measurements and drop my charge back to maybe say,,,,,, 24 grains and work up in .5 grain increments.
 
I've shot a lot of Benchmark in 204 and 223 over the past 6 months. Like most powders there is usually a lower accuracy node and then the groups will disperse as you go up in powder charge and tighten again on another node in the upper range.

Really good accuracy in 204 with adequate velocity.

Excellent velocity and accuracy in 223 over a wide range of bullet weights. Amazingly, although a faster burning powder than Varget, Benchmark will shoot within 25 fps of Varget with the 75 Hornady bthp in my bolt and AR.

I really like it.
 
One thing that hasn't been mentioned......

Benchmark is NOT as temperature sensitive as H335 and some others.

Don't ask me how I know about H335 and high temperatures .....
rolleyes.gif
 
Originally Posted By: RavageI am looking for some views or input on hogdon benchmark powder. I have been loading 55gr vmax's with 25grains of powder into a .223 with it. My first loads into the brass I am using were what I consider very good. 1" groups at 200yrds. Now my second loads into this brass are grouping 5" at 200yrds. Planning to hit the drawing board again and am considering looking at different powders along with different bullets. What are the thoughts on this powder? I am pretty new to reloading and haven't tried any other powders yet.
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What did you do to prepare your brass for the second loading? Are you FL sizing, did you trim your cases, etc? Do you have the tools to check the runout of your cases and loaded ammo? There's a difference somewhere....ammo or rifle....maybe even the trigger nut!
laugh.gif

It's hard to diagnose a problem without knowing all the variables.
F1
 
I have always used Benchmark in my .204, and now am using it with my 22-250. It shoots awesome in both calibers and has really become the old stand by for me with my smaller calibers. I also have been happy with Varget, but Benchmark is my favorite.
 
Originally Posted By: TCSIf you got 1" groups at 200 yards I wouldn't be looking at different powders. I'd see what changed about the brass.

Exactly,,,,,,,,,, powders don't magically change.
Gotta be something you've done different.
I'd be more inclined to think that the problem lies in the rifle.
Might check the rings and/or bases, or the scope it's self.
Luck
 
I should apologize for not being more clear in my original question. I am not blaming the powder. I was wanting some views on what others felt about benchmark. Reason being? I was thinking about trying other bullets and bullet weights out to try to improve my grouping and thought while I was there, I may try out some other powders as well, not that there is anything wrong with what I have. Just see how another powder would perform. A curiosity thing. However, after reading the replies, I believe it is apparent that I am jumping the gun a bit. I plan to take others advise and stay with what I have, for now anyway, and make some adjustments. adjustments like powder charge and case length. The grouping problem, I am now positive, is most likely due to my careless rookie mistakes.

I am learning more and more about all the different variables that play into rifle accuracy. As I stated previously, I am still really new to reloading, and coyote hunting for that matter. Most of what I know, I have learned from this site and others alike. Thanks for the feedback.
 
For the most part I just started trying some Benchmark, and found it worked very well with 60g Sierra (.223Rem)
I had tried it once before just a little with some 60g VMax, but not enough to find good results.
 
Originally Posted By: HidalgoOne thing that hasn't been mentioned......

Benchmark is NOT as temperature sensitive as H335 and some others.

Don't ask me how I know about H335 and high temperatures .....
rolleyes.gif


Ok I'm going to bite and ask, I have always enjoyed reading your post. Oh how is your son doing on his skeet shooting? Rick
 
Were you neck sizing or full length? Could it be your chamber is a little loose, and the change in case volume just pushed you out of your node? What did the group look like? More vertical or more horizontal?
 
I full length size. After doing doing some more investigating I believe that my OAL may have changed like a hundredth. My groups were more vertical.
 
Originally Posted By: HidalgoI've loaded Benchmark extensively in both the .204 and the .223, but have always found that it performed best for me when the loads weren't "pushing the envelope" on velocity. Moderate speeds seemed to always group better. Benchmark and 60gr VMax was as good in the accuracy department as anything else that I loaded for the caliber you're using.
I've had no problem with 26grs of bench mark behind 55gr V-Maxs out of my AR-15 ! That's a warm load.
 
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