Reloading .223 with BL-C(2)

tpcollins · April 4, 2013, 11:16 AM

I thought I read somewhere that BL-C(2) powder was well suited for heavier .223 bullets in the 70 grain range - yeah or nay? Thanks.

Nouseforaname1246 · April 4, 2013, 12:12 PM

I used Blc2 for years in 55 and 69 gr. I was getting moa so yeah it works.

NWPilgrim · April 4, 2013, 12:43 PM

BL-C2 is my best load or 55 gr FMJ (27.1 gr), even beats out H335 for this. It is a close second behind H335 for the 60 -69 gr, and again a very close second behind Varget for 75-77 gr.

It is the most consistent powder across a variety of bullet weights and charge weights among H335, H4895 and Varget. With the other powders when I test a ladder of charge weights I see groups go from 2.5" down to 7/8" and back out to 1.5", for example. But with BL-C2 no matter the bullet weight, the ladder tests vary only like 1.75" to 7/8" and back to 1.25". If I could only use one powder for .223 I would probably go with BL-C2, and then next choice would be H335.

oldpapps · April 4, 2013, 12:53 PM

From what I can remember (and that is becoming more questionable each day), a non-canister powder that was very similar to BLC2 was used in the development of the .222 Rem and .222 Rem Mag and .222 Special (became the 5.56/.223 Rem). uncle favored 55 grain FMJs then.

I used BLC2 extensively in the .222 but I also used mostly 50 grain Blitz bullets.

BLC2 is listed in my loading books for use with bullets as heavy as 80 grains. So, there is little question that it will work. I don't know if it would be 'The Best'. For heavier bullets, I favor H or IMR 4895 in the .223/5.56. But that's just me.

Load with care,

OSOK

TATER · April 4, 2013, 01:19 PM

Ya'Know there are a bunch of really good load combos out there. It will become
so subjective to the point of preference.. BL-C(2) is a fine powder for .223.

This has nothing to do with Remington and their development of the .223 But,
I know that Stoner and the boys developed the AR's load using IMR 3031..

chiefr · April 4, 2013, 01:27 PM

BLC2 has always been one of my favorite powders. I tried it in several .223s and never could achieve the accuracy I could with H335, Varget, & TAC.
Having said that, I would press on and experiment with BLC or whatever slower powders that you can find.
335, Varget, and TAC are near impossible to find.

hgmeyer · April 5, 2013, 06:54 PM

Works great in my 1-10 .223 with 45 and 55 gr spitzer and bthp. Not so good with my 1-12 .222.

My point is that EVERY rifle (and pistol) has the potential to be "quirky" and like only certain combinations. I like to load up some midrange (say 5=10% below max) loads in three or four combinations of bullets and powder in cases (same) with the same primer. Then try the best and worst to see if any adjustment increases accuracy. I always look for accuracy and not best velocity in target/hunting loads. Max velocity is only more imporant to me in my backup guns for bear country (.35 Whelen or .450 Marlin.... wish I had a .50 BMG...lol)

April 4, 2013, 11:16 AM	#1
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	Reloading .223 with BL-C(2) I thought I read somewhere that BL-C(2) powder was well suited for heavier .223 bullets in the 70 grain range - yeah or nay? Thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

April 4, 2013, 12:12 PM	#2
Nouseforaname1246 Junior Member Join Date: February 21, 2013 Posts: 2	Re: Reloading .223 with BL-C(2) I used Blc2 for years in 55 and 69 gr. I was getting moa so yeah it works.

April 4, 2013, 12:43 PM	#3
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	BL-C2 is my best load or 55 gr FMJ (27.1 gr), even beats out H335 for this. It is a close second behind H335 for the 60 -69 gr, and again a very close second behind Varget for 75-77 gr. It is the most consistent powder across a variety of bullet weights and charge weights among H335, H4895 and Varget. With the other powders when I test a ladder of charge weights I see groups go from 2.5" down to 7/8" and back out to 1.5", for example. But with BL-C2 no matter the bullet weight, the ladder tests vary only like 1.75" to 7/8" and back to 1.25". If I could only use one powder for .223 I would probably go with BL-C2, and then next choice would be H335. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

April 5, 2013, 06:54 PM	#7
hgmeyer Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 147	BLC (2) in .222 and .223 Works great in my 1-10 .223 with 45 and 55 gr spitzer and bthp. Not so good with my 1-12 .222. My point is that EVERY rifle (and pistol) has the potential to be "quirky" and like only certain combinations. I like to load up some midrange (say 5=10% below max) loads in three or four combinations of bullets and powder in cases (same) with the same primer. Then try the best and worst to see if any adjustment increases accuracy. I always look for accuracy and not best velocity in target/hunting loads. Max velocity is only more imporant to me in my backup guns for bear country (.35 Whelen or .450 Marlin.... wish I had a .50 BMG...lol)

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April 4, 2013, 12:53 PM	#4
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	From what I can remember (and that is becoming more questionable each day), a non-canister powder that was very similar to BLC2 was used in the development of the .222 Rem and .222 Rem Mag and .222 Special (became the 5.56/.223 Rem). uncle favored 55 grain FMJs then. I used BLC2 extensively in the .222 but I also used mostly 50 grain Blitz bullets. BLC2 is listed in my loading books for use with bullets as heavy as 80 grains. So, there is little question that it will work. I don't know if it would be 'The Best'. For heavier bullets, I favor H or IMR 4895 in the .223/5.56. But that's just me. Load with care, OSOK

April 4, 2013, 01:19 PM	#5
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Ya'Know there are a bunch of really good load combos out there. It will become so subjective to the point of preference.. BL-C(2) is a fine powder for .223. This has nothing to do with Remington and their development of the .223 But, I know that Stoner and the boys developed the AR's load using IMR 3031..

April 4, 2013, 01:27 PM	#6
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	BLC2 has always been one of my favorite powders. I tried it in several .223s and never could achieve the accuracy I could with H335, Varget, & TAC. Having said that, I would press on and experiment with BLC or whatever slower powders that you can find. 335, Varget, and TAC are near impossible to find.