223 55gr vmax with Benchmark
- Thread starter rce777777
- Start date
Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
I've known folks whom love that combo.. I generally went with H335 but that is not what your asking for.
But looking at load data from seirra for a 55gr bullet and benchmark 23.6 to 25.2grs.
Hodgdon tops out at 22.2 (Barnes TSX - FB), 23.4 to 24.8 for the Hornady FMJ
Usually I've found that the best repeatable accuracy is about 1 gr from max , which I do a ladder test to find what the actual max is for that rifle. I'll load 1 round at the low point (that load point is usually suggested load data) increase 0.3 grs each shot after until I observe pressure. Now If I have a chronograph I'll record the velocity as it rises once it plateaus as in the next shot drops in velocity I'll annotate that one charge and make 15 to test it, depending on powder, primer, bullet combo there may or may not be multiple plateau's when working up a load. ( personally use 5 shot groups for eval, and then shoot a series of three hence the 15, if one is doing three shot groups then maybe 9 in lieu of 15)
With my method I would load 1 round each at
23.6
23.9
24.2
24.5
24.8
25.1 This is six rounds total NOT a lot of components being wasted , and EVEN IF someone handed me load data I would still want to do this method to find my rifles max before just taking someone data and loading it. (NOTE STOP at the first sign of pressure don't just run up the ladder because Seirria says they fired it in their universal receiver gun)
If I don't have a chronograph I'll drop 1 gr (from max that I found by the ladder test above) and use loads at 0.3gr increment up and down until I find it .. this is the most components usage.... and I quit using that method over 30 years ago when I got a chronograph.
Pretty certain this isn't the exact answer your looking for, but honestly it's the best I can do with your components...
But looking at load data from seirra for a 55gr bullet and benchmark 23.6 to 25.2grs.
Hodgdon tops out at 22.2 (Barnes TSX - FB), 23.4 to 24.8 for the Hornady FMJ
Usually I've found that the best repeatable accuracy is about 1 gr from max , which I do a ladder test to find what the actual max is for that rifle. I'll load 1 round at the low point (that load point is usually suggested load data) increase 0.3 grs each shot after until I observe pressure. Now If I have a chronograph I'll record the velocity as it rises once it plateaus as in the next shot drops in velocity I'll annotate that one charge and make 15 to test it, depending on powder, primer, bullet combo there may or may not be multiple plateau's when working up a load. ( personally use 5 shot groups for eval, and then shoot a series of three hence the 15, if one is doing three shot groups then maybe 9 in lieu of 15)
With my method I would load 1 round each at
23.6
23.9
24.2
24.5
24.8
25.1 This is six rounds total NOT a lot of components being wasted , and EVEN IF someone handed me load data I would still want to do this method to find my rifles max before just taking someone data and loading it. (NOTE STOP at the first sign of pressure don't just run up the ladder because Seirria says they fired it in their universal receiver gun)
If I don't have a chronograph I'll drop 1 gr (from max that I found by the ladder test above) and use loads at 0.3gr increment up and down until I find it .. this is the most components usage.... and I quit using that method over 30 years ago when I got a chronograph.
Pretty certain this isn't the exact answer your looking for, but honestly it's the best I can do with your components...
Last edited:
rce777777
New member
I do develop very similarly but I work up in .2 increments. I generally don’t push pressure limits. I think it’s interesting to see what works for others. What are your thoughts on seating depth for development? Pick one charge and change the seating depth .005 per load instead of changing powder charges.
Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
seating
hmm kind of depends for the rifle... autoloaders aka shell chuckers I do mag length (and that is sometime iffy on light weights trying to keep 1 caliber depth in the neck). Bolt guns (I'll treat single shots the same here ) I go approx. 0.005" off on ogive to throat contact. Most refer to it as lands but honestly we really don't know if it's the lands and really what difference does it make we are contacting something. And shoot the ladder once I find that node then tune the seating. Yes I use the rule of three so I'll tune 0.003" shorter the 0.005" from contact is my absolute longest length... and someone will come along and scoff and say seat INTO the lands .. hey if it works for them, or you great go for it.
That said I do know folks whom do exactly as you mentioned sometime they find their load quickly, sometimes not. Is it better than what I do maybe ... maybe not. Is my method best IDK but it does keep me sort of straight in my mind. which one uses less components.. not sure.. I've seen folks do 0.4gr and as high as 0.5gr variance and have good luck. It's just a method at the end of the day.
hmm kind of depends for the rifle... autoloaders aka shell chuckers I do mag length (and that is sometime iffy on light weights trying to keep 1 caliber depth in the neck). Bolt guns (I'll treat single shots the same here ) I go approx. 0.005" off on ogive to throat contact. Most refer to it as lands but honestly we really don't know if it's the lands and really what difference does it make we are contacting something. And shoot the ladder once I find that node then tune the seating. Yes I use the rule of three so I'll tune 0.003" shorter the 0.005" from contact is my absolute longest length... and someone will come along and scoff and say seat INTO the lands .. hey if it works for them, or you great go for it.
That said I do know folks whom do exactly as you mentioned sometime they find their load quickly, sometimes not. Is it better than what I do maybe ... maybe not. Is my method best IDK but it does keep me sort of straight in my mind. which one uses less components.. not sure.. I've seen folks do 0.4gr and as high as 0.5gr variance and have good luck. It's just a method at the end of the day.
COpredator
Member
If the BM doesn't work out, try some Vihtavuori N133 if you can find it. Probably the cleanest powder out there, very accurate as well. At least it is in my rifle
Coyote-conquest
Active member
I load 25gr. BM is a great powder
I load 26 under 50-grainers, so this sounds about right. You'll appreciate how BM flows through your powder measure.
Widow maker 223
Well-known member
25-25.5gr of BM with 55's for me. Very accurate combo, worked up loads with 40gr v mad and 50's as well. All shot amazing but I have a few AR's that have good barrels and aren't finicky..