BLC(2) .223 load

02bigdogs17 · December 14, 2014, 07:59 PM

I have found an awesome load for my savage axis in .223 caliber. It is a 55gr Sierra HPBT with 27gr of Hodgdon BLC(2). It will shoot 1/4" 5 shot groups @100yds. I worked this load up in the winter time and have been shooting a lot of them throughout the winter. My question is I have been told that this powder is weather sensitive and the max load for this round I'm shooting is 27.5gr so do you think I'll have any pressure problems when it's 90 + degrees out this summer? Does anyone else shoot this load and in what temps? Thanks for all comments.

jepp2 · December 14, 2014, 08:18 PM

The highest I have loaded BL-C(2) is 26 grains. Not a powder I use all that much in 223.

I didn't know Sierra made a 55 gr HPBT?

steve4102 · December 14, 2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

I didn't know Sierra made a 55 gr HPBT?

https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/...dia-55-gr-HPBT

603Country · December 15, 2014, 09:33 AM

Due to a lack of available H335, I worked up 223 loads with BL(C)-2. After a lot of load work up, the loads were about as accurate as those with H335. Going on memory, the load was close to max in the Lyman's 49th.

Longshot4 · December 15, 2014, 05:19 PM

The 222 Rem. is very close to your 223. I load a 50gr. in my Rem. Varmint special and BL C 2 is my choice powder. I have never noticed the temp to be a issue but that doesn't mean it isn't. I have tried several powders H4895 and W 748 are also good choices. I'm sure there should be some one out there that can give you better reference in that 223 cartage. Good Luck

**Unclenick** · December 15, 2014, 05:41 PM

H335 and BL-(C)2 started life as the same bulk grade powder, WC846, a ball powder for 7.62 NATO. When it was determined to be too slow for 5.56 in the M16, an especially fast lot was tried and found much more successful at meeting both ballistic and gas system requirements for that gun simultaneously. The fast lot's properties were then copied and given their own designation, WC844, and the powder made fast on purpose for the new number. The canister grade of WC844 sold for handloading is H335.

DR Owl Creek · December 16, 2014, 01:51 PM

My standard AR load is 25.5gr of BL-C(2) with a Sierra 65gr SP-BT (GameKing). It was a compromise load, but worked well in several different 1:9 twist rifles, producing slightly less than MOA accuracy in each of them for five shot groups.

One rifle might have performed better with 25.0 gr, and another with 26.0gr, but the 25.5gr seemed to work well in all of them. BL-C(2) meters well in a volumetric measure too.

Dave

December 14, 2014, 07:59 PM	#1
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	BLC(2) .223 load I have found an awesome load for my savage axis in .223 caliber. It is a 55gr Sierra HPBT with 27gr of Hodgdon BLC(2). It will shoot 1/4" 5 shot groups @100yds. I worked this load up in the winter time and have been shooting a lot of them throughout the winter. My question is I have been told that this powder is weather sensitive and the max load for this round I'm shooting is 27.5gr so do you think I'll have any pressure problems when it's 90 + degrees out this summer? Does anyone else shoot this load and in what temps? Thanks for all comments.

December 14, 2014, 08:18 PM	#2
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	The highest I have loaded BL-C(2) is 26 grains. Not a powder I use all that much in 223. I didn't know Sierra made a 55 gr HPBT? __________________ NRA Benefactor Life member

December 15, 2014, 05:41 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	H335 and BL-(C)2 started life as the same bulk grade powder, WC846, a ball powder for 7.62 NATO. When it was determined to be too slow for 5.56 in the M16, an especially fast lot was tried and found much more successful at meeting both ballistic and gas system requirements for that gun simultaneously. The fast lot's properties were then copied and given their own designation, WC844, and the powder made fast on purpose for the new number. The canister grade of WC844 sold for handloading is H335. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 16, 2014, 01:51 PM	#7
DR Owl Creek Member Join Date: June 7, 2014 Posts: 22	My standard AR load is 25.5gr of BL-C(2) with a Sierra 65gr SP-BT (GameKing). It was a compromise load, but worked well in several different 1:9 twist rifles, producing slightly less than MOA accuracy in each of them for five shot groups. One rifle might have performed better with 25.0 gr, and another with 26.0gr, but the 25.5gr seemed to work well in all of them. BL-C(2) meters well in a volumetric measure too. Dave Last edited by DR Owl Creek; December 18, 2014 at 11:10 AM.

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December 15, 2014, 09:33 AM	#4
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,996	Due to a lack of available H335, I worked up 223 loads with BL(C)-2. After a lot of load work up, the loads were about as accurate as those with H335. Going on memory, the load was close to max in the Lyman's 49th.

December 15, 2014, 05:19 PM	#5
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	The 222 Rem. is very close to your 223. I load a 50gr. in my Rem. Varmint special and BL C 2 is my choice powder. I have never noticed the temp to be a issue but that doesn't mean it isn't. I have tried several powders H4895 and W 748 are also good choices. I'm sure there should be some one out there that can give you better reference in that 223 cartage. Good Luck