Tell me about Benchmark...Never tried it

acemisser · 03-01-2013, 01:38 PM

Guy gave me a lb of Benchmark this morning.Never been opened.

How do you suppose it will work in my 223 with 1n9 twist and 69 gr
sierras..Figured at the price,I couldn't go wrong with it..

Got any ideas or suggestions on it..Thanks John

**jhelmuth** · 03-01-2013, 01:59 PM

Hre is what Hodgdens has to say on thier powder...

As the name implies, this Extreme Extruded propellant was developed for precision cartridges. As such, it is ideally suited for benchrest and small varmint cartridges like the 6mm PPC, 22 PPC, 6mm BR, 223 Rem. and 222 Rem. Additionally, it performs superbly in the 204 Ruger and with light match bullets in 308 Winchester. With small, easy metering granules, competitors will love how it flows through progressive presses

I've also read some reporrts on actual use and it seems to work best on the lighter .223 bullets (around 50gr pills). Also seems that in those instances, the load was somewhere in the lower 25.x gr area (obviously YMMV - so be safe when starting loaddevelopment here). I also noted that ALL but 1 were with Remy 700's (and 1:12 twist rates) and 1 AR (probably also in 1:12).

Can't hurt to try some loads. I would pick maybe a 52gr SMK as a start with 24 gr of Benchmark and work up....

**scope eye** · 03-01-2013, 02:15 PM

Not Ideal but will make for some cheap plinking, Hogdon lists 23.5 as max for those bullets, but on the same note has a low CUP rating for that load, so there is definitely room for more without any pressure signs.

Tanks Dean

beartooth91 · 03-01-2013, 06:27 PM

Bought a lb for my .223. Tried it and also in some of my other Savages. Not pleased with the results. H335 outshoots it in the .223 and good 'ole IMR4895 outshoots it (and my other powders) in my other rifles. I'm gonna use the rest of it for barrel break-in and fire-forming in my new 22-250 and don't plan on purchasing another jug of it.

jb6.5 · 03-01-2013, 07:13 PM

Shoots good in my 223, 55 and 60 gr nbt. Use it for the barnes also. Every gun is different just have to try it. Kinda hard find it right now.

acemisser · 03-01-2013, 07:56 PM

Appreciate all the replies....I will have to load up a few and see how it works in the savage..
I see 23.5 is Hodgons max load with the 69 grain bullet...Just got in a box of 500,so I have
plenty to work with....Thanks again...

**scope eye** · 03-01-2013, 08:29 PM

There's one thing I don't understand about Hogdon's way of measuring max CUP or PSI, take 223 cal and Benchmark powder, they have some loads with a max of 52900 psi and 51100 cup, and some with a max 50800 psi and 49400 cup, all with the same cartridge and the same powder, that does not make sense, and anyways max pressure for a 223 is 55000 psi. just an observation

Tanks Dean

acemisser · 03-03-2013, 03:38 PM

Yep youins was right....Took 3 different loads to the range and at 100 yards I was not
even a little impressed with the Benchmark..Maybe that is why he gave it to me free..
But now this was with the 69 gr SMK bullet....It might be all together different with
a lighter bullet....Warmer weather will tell..Today it was only 17 degrees...But you know how it
goes..You gotta get out and try them, lol
I just wanted to let you all know how it shot..Not good..Nothing like the Varget does...

**jhelmuth** · 03-03-2013, 07:02 PM

As noted before, this powder seems to be for the lighter pills (and right around the 50ish gr .223). I am not speaking from a position of expertise, but it does seem to be the case that some powders are great for some bullets and not for others....

**scope eye** · 03-03-2013, 07:24 PM

By far my favorite for 223 and 223AI up to 55gr bullets, is RL 7 And H4198 also 10X is not to shabby.

Dean

acemisser · 03-03-2013, 09:11 PM

I seldom use any under 68 and I always use varget...it works great with berger 73 grainers as well..As long as you dont try to push them too fast...lol found that out

**kelbro** · 03-03-2013, 10:39 PM

Incredible for the 52-55gr bullets in several 223s and 2 of my 223AIs. Meters well. Never tried it with bigger bullets in 223.

I did use some a few weeks ago in 308 with the 155gr Palma Sierra. Shot very well out to 1K.

**quickkillaught6** · 05-11-2013, 08:41 PM

I use 25 grains of benchmark, 55nbts, cci-400 primers in 6-223's and it has proved very accurate for me and my fellow shooting friends. it burns clean and doesnt have an issue with temps. A buddy and I shot over 3k rounds last year in the dog towns of south dakota in the 90+ degree heat without fail. 25 is max listed charge so work up. for 69's youre not going to beat H4895 IMHO varget is over rated my savages like the 4895 better anyways. like i said before just my .02 worth.

mnhntr · 05-12-2013, 01:53 PM

I like it for lighter (40gr up to 55gr) pills.

Kreekside · 03-30-2014, 04:38 AM

21.5 grains of Benchmark with 69 grain Nosler HPBT shoots well from my Model 11 VT. Benchmark also shoots under a half inch at 100 yds with 52 grain Sierra HPBT at 23.5 grains.

**pbcaster45** · 04-03-2014, 04:28 PM

I've been planning to give it another try in my .223s but it worked really well in my Savage 10FLP .308 Winchester. But so does Reloader 15, Varget, and IMR-4064!

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...0YardGroup.jpg

maxl · 04-04-2014, 08:03 PM

I use benchmark in my 204 ruger 39g blitz kings great results,h4895 is my go to 223 powder

JTCWCES · 04-09-2014, 11:07 AM

I've had good luck in .308 with 40g benchmark and 168g hpbt pills @ 2.80 col.......

**foxx** · 04-09-2014, 11:17 AM

I am getting 1/3 inch or better at 100 yds with 50g NBT's and 25.6g Benchmark. Very consistent and temp tolerant. Using Lapua brass and Rem 7 1/2 primers. 26" savage varmint barrel 8 twist

I also have, initially, good results with 150g NBT and 43g benchmark for my .308. Have barely begun working with that gun, though. Hog Hunter 20" barrel