223 ackley benchmark or 8208 loads

[MildBill]

anybody have good luck with benchmark or imr 8208xbr with 50 to 55 grain bullets in the 223 ackley?

 

[bumtownbutch]

I have tried both; both seem to group well but not great. Benchmark seemed to heat my barrel quicker. Having said that, I shot two one-hole groups Sunday with two different powder charges using IMR 4895 and 55 gr. Nosler BTs. My rifle I had built with 1-in-12" twist to shoot the 53 gr. Hornady V-max; 55 Nosler BTs shoot much better for me.

 

[MildBill]

I have observed similar results with group size with benchmark and 8208, good but not great. However I am not done with trying different options with them yet.

Also have had better luck with stuff other than the 53 v-max in both regular and ackley 223's

 

[areaone]

8208 has worked well in my 8 twist with 69 smk.

 

[Larryh128]

I use Benchmark in my 223 AI, I shoot 55 gr BT's. 26 grs is a good place to start.

 

[fredhorace77]

here is what ive boiled down to on all the testing ive done over the years on the 223.
BENCHMARK --- 35gr.-50gr. bullets
H4895----55gr bullets
Varget---55gr---heaviest bullet

Lately i just narrow it down to 2 powders. Benchmark and Varget do everything the 223 needs done.
if i had to narrow it down to just one powder it would be H4895. though not the best pick for a particular bullet choice it is imo the best all around powder for the 223...and other calibers also

 

[lpreddick]

stumbled upon 8208XBR in my .223 AI with 52 gr fowler bullets...WOW. started with 27 gr and kept going until i could only get 28 gr and bullet sits just at powder. no pressure problems and accuracy is very good.