Hodgdon BL-C(2)?

[papajoe222]

I've used a number of different Hodgdon powders for both .308Win. and .223Rem. with good to excellent results. Sadly, none of them are currently available. BL-C(2) is listed for use in both calibers, but I'm wondering if it will perform as well as Varget and H4895 do. Does anyone have experience using it for either, or both, calibers and getting >.5MOA. grouping out to 300yrds? I don't shy from doing load development, It's part of the enjoyment I get from reloading, but I dislike purchasing something that doesn't perform to my expectations. I've wasted more than enough money on components that didn't.

 

[JAlfred]

BL_C2 was the most disappointing powders I ever worked with in 223.

 

[joshb]

A few years ago, I used a lot of it for 223 and it gave me great results. I was limited to 100 yard shooting at that time, tho, so I can only speak for that.

 

[Highpower-FClass]

BLC2 in 223 = crazy fast velocities but mediocre accuracy in my experience.

I've tried it in bolt guns and AR-15s.

 

[ninehorses]

Blc/2 is the most temperature sensitive powder I have ever worked with. I would get great groups (.25)at 50 degrees, then with the same load, groups would open up to 2” at 80 degrees. This was in a .222 Rem. 40 grain bullet. The starting load in the Sierra manual. It got worse as I increased the charge. So I had a slow, winter only load. The 788 now lives in the back of the safe, no it is not for sale.

 

[PopCharlie]

BL-C2 worked well in a .308 I used to have. I shot 155 gr. Sierra Palma bullets. I have tried it in my .223 bolt gun. The results were mediocre at best.
What about w748? It works well in my .223s (bolt gun and AR) and my M-1 Garand. I use the same Sierra Palma bullets in the M-1.
I shoot 25.5 gr. of w748 under a 55 gr Nosler ballistic tip in my AR. I'm working on a load for the bolt gun. 21.5 gr under 80.5 gr. Berger Full bore showed good signs. So I'm working on tuning a charge weight. I seated the full bores to .010 off for this test. I use CCI 450 primers for this test. I use standard large rifle primers in the Garand.

PopCharlie

 

[jds holler]

I haven't used it for anything except my small stuff, (.20-222, .222, and 22BR). Works great for all of those. My normal range is out to 200 yds, and I'm .5 MOA or better.

I don't tend to load max, and generally seat about .010 off. Standard primers. Haven't had a problem with heat. jd

 

[chop house]

A few years ago, I used a lot of it for 223 and it gave me great results. I was limited to 100 yard shooting at that time, tho, so I can only speak for that.

'several' years ago i too used lots of it. shot several great groups at 200 yds with hornady 53 match bullets in a mostly factory 700V. but then again, this was before i knew any better and started studying reloading (to some degree).

i probably could not replicate that performance now, although i use ball powders in several varmint loads. times change, there is better now....

 

[Longtrain]

Blc/2 is the most temperature sensitive powder I have ever worked with...

I used BLC-2 as military pull down powder in the early 2000’s. It was cheap, plentiful and as a ball powder metered easily. But, let that ammo sit in the sun before your relay, hugh pressure spikes which appeared on the target.

Finding this out, I used to keep my ammo in a cooler with a freezer pack before a match.

 

[joshb]

'several' years ago i too used lots of it. shot several great groups at 200 yds with hornady 53 match bullets in a mostly factory 700V. but then again, this was before i knew any better and started studying reloading (to some degree).

i probably could not replicate that performance now, although i use ball powders in several varmint loads. times change, there is better now....

Yeah, I was lower on the learning curve back then. It was during the great powder shortage, too. Factory guns and ARs.

 

[pirate ammo]

been using benchmark.

 

[Sniper338]

I never had BLC2 work well. In anything. There was always a better load I found. The 1 lb jug of blc2 has sat on my shelf for years now..

 

[yotehater]

W748 is almost the same burning rate and density as ball-c. I thought it was the same powder for a long time.

 

[swd]

I've had excellent luck with Ball C in several 223's and a 6x45. Very accurate and fast. Give it a try.

 

[Bill Norris]

Years ago, when I was shooting long range BLC-2 worked well in my .308 with 150 and 168 gr. Nosler BT but I don't know about it now as I have not loaded any to shoot @ 100 yds.

 

[jpx2rk]

I've had excellent luck with Ball C in several 223's and a 6x45. Very accurate and fast. Give it a try.

Do you happen to remember any load data on the 6x45 & BLC-2??? I've got several #'s of the stuff and a new 6x45 to play with.

 

[Ken]

BL C 2 was the go to powder around here.
We shot lots of it. Perhaps because we had a local who was a good friend of Bruce Hodgdon and he went to the factory and picked it up by the truck load.

 

[biggun2869]

BLC-2 is a good powder at least in my humble opinion. Good god for YEARS it was used (60's 70's) as a real contender! Pay some attention and research stuff before you discount it. It isn't competitive today but it HAS paid its dues

 

[Chuck G]

BLC-2 works great in .223 and.222 Rem set records in .222 Rem Bench rest matches

 

[jghoghunter]

Ive used ball c in all kinds of calibers and Ive used alot of it over the years in 222, 223 and 308. Like said earlier I was very careful to not let the loaded rounds sit in the sun.