benchmark is the best powder i have ever used!!

I agree with acklyman. Everyone tells me to use varget, its the best thing since sliced bread. I can not get it to shoot with any bullet in 22-250. I did have one load in 223 that i shot pretty good, I think it was with a 55grain v-max. I will have to look at my records. Lee
 
Benchmark is what I'm using in my .17 Fireball. With the 25 grain bulltes, out of a 26" barrel, I'm getting over 3850 fps over my Gamma Master Chrony. So far, groups have been well under 1/2" average. Still my .204's both like H4895. Both loads are slightly over max, but still no pressure signs, with the 35 grain Berger out of my CZ 527 American and the 40 grain Berger out of my CZ 527 Varmint. Groups are 1/2" or better if I do my part.
 
Bench works well in my .204 and .223s. The trouble is getting the stuff. Sportsmans is habitually out of Benchmark. The other shops that carry reloading supplies seem to have the same problem. It must havce something to do with popularity because other powders do not disappear from the shelf that fast. I have had more than fair esults with Varget, particularly in my 22-250 with 52 grs bullets of any make. I am also impressed with H4895 in 32 gr. V-max and 35 Gr. Bergers out of my Savage P 10 (yes I have the detach mag model but it is not without some feeding issues.

The problem is that Bench and Varget do not meter well out of my powder thrower. I have been loading most of the winter for ground squirrels and would prefer not to have to weigh each charge, which I feel compelled to do with Bench, Varget and H4895. That is where H335 comes in.
 
I found some accurate Varget loads for my 22-250's but found that the velocities don't quite match up to what's published and I do have to load down to get the accuracy.

After screwing around with H335 and Benchmark in my 223 Ackley Improved and not coming up with the high velocities promised just on a whim I got a can of H4895 and tried it. I found a very good shooting load for the 50 grain V-Max that Averages 3680 fps. With a 50 grain Nosler Bal-Tip it averages 3645 fps. I think I have my coyote load.

H4895 works quite well in my 204, too.
 
I shoot Benchmark in my 6.5 Grendel w/ 95 VMAX @ 2800....most accurate rifle I ever owned with this load...

My best 3 shot group was .172, and yes it was wittnessed...


Joe
 
I shot 55 grainers over Varget in my .223 for a long time, then I found out H322 worked much better. Then, I started pushing 40 grainers at 3700 fps, and found out Ramshot XTerminator worked even better at that.

For the .204 Ruger, don't overlook Alliant 10X. In most rifles so chambered, the results can be pretty spectacular.

Mike
 
I found that H335 and Benchmark had nearly the same point of impact in my .223 but Benchmark produced slightly better groups and about 100fps better velocity. My go to load is a healthy charge of Benchmark behind a 50gr V-Max or BT is a great combination.
 
Benchmark rules in my 22-250, with 55 grain bullets.
Haven'tt tried it in 223's yet, but will do so as it gets great press for its accuracy in that chambering.

Martyn
 
Quote:


I also noticed a differance in group size from switching brass in my .243 I started with winchester spent the money on Nosler and will use nothing else now! That nosler brass is so much more consistant than any of the reg factory stuff, sure you pay more but the quailty is top shelf and made my groups much better and more consistant.



This is the only good thing I have ever saw posted about nosler brass, what I and folks I know and trust have found that it is just overpriced junk! the most inconsistant brass I have ever used, will never buy any more of it. For that kind of money I'll buy lapua!!
RR
 
Quote:
Same here, I feed mine and a friends 204's both 26 gr of Benchmark with 35gr bergers and CCI BR4's.

Jake



My dad loads this powder exclusively in his 204s. Four of his rifles shot the 26gr. of BM, 35 Bergers, and Fed. 205s the best, and the other one thought it was ok. Seems to be a pretty universal load. Varget seems to be the best powder for our 22-250s, 3 of them shoot 1/2" or under with 35.5-36.5 of Varget under a 52gr Berger.
 
So far so good for me as well. I am really liking it in my .223 and also found that IMR 4895 has the almost the same POI as Bmark. I am going to try some Benchmark in my 22-250 sometime next week.
 
I'm glad you all are having good results with the Benchmark powder. I for one never seem to be able to get the latest and greatest powders to work for me. I have the best luck with old tried and true varieties. Must be why they make so many.
 
I have been using H335. Every load manual has data it, but I can't findBenchmark in any load manuals, I have been looking. Has anyone see a manual with Benchmark in it?
 
I hate to be the spoilsport in the bunch, but I have tried BM and Tac both with no luck. Tried it in my 223 and 22-250. No luck. 335 and Varget work really well for me as well as BLc-2. Wished I could get it to work for me, I hate being left out.
 
If you have a powder other than benchmark that works great for you already, then dont bother with it. It always seems that a rifle that like varget will not shoot benchmark very well, and vise versa. BM works darn good for me!! Lee
 
Back
Top