Reloading .308 and .223 (5.56x45) with BLC-2?

[NateH74]

I am just beginning to reload for my .308, and I want a powder that will work with .308 and .223 (or 5.56x45 for my AR) I was told to get BLC-2 because it is great for both calibers. I know there are a lot of you that have been reloading for years, and your experience with this is what I am looking for, not guesses or salesman opinions.

 

[Guy Miner]

Nate - I have used BLC2 wit good results from the .308 Win. Have however had better results with Varget and RL-15. I also use it with good success in the .204 Ruger.

Can't say much about the .223 though. I shoot only commercial ammo through that.

Welcome to the forum!

Regards, Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

BL-C powder has worn many benchrest championships with the .222/.223 Rem cartridges. It also can be a good powder for the .308 as well, having won many matches.

 

[DrMike]

There are several powders that will fit the requirement you name, but BL(C)2 is certainly a good powder for both cartridges. Welcome to the forum.

 

[NateH74]

Thank you for the welcomes, and much needed experience based opinions. I will be buying an 8lb jug of BLC for both calibers. Thanks again.

 

[Wincheringen]

It would probably be better to buy 1lb and see if it works for your intended uses. I use TAC, but H4895, H335, AA2520, AA2230, AA2460, Varget, & Benchmark will all work in both cartridges with multiple bullet weights.

 

[DrMike]

It would probably be better to buy 1lb and see if it works for your intended uses. I use TAC, but H4895, H335, AA2520, AA2230, AA2460, Varget, & Benchmark will all work in both cartridges with multiple bullet weights.

Good advice that as you are just beginning to hand load.

 

[RiverRider]

I would definitely try Benchmark before committing to 8 pounds of anything at all.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Nate, although blc(2) is typically a good powder in the calibers you mentioned, not every rifle will like it with every bullet. In my .308 bench rifleit shoots bugholes with the 150 NBT, but will not group at all with the NCC's. Get a pound, try it, if it does what you need, then get the 8 pounders.....

 

[hunting1]

I use others, but Varget is hard to beat for the 308 and 223.

 

[Woodycreek]

Varget works great in my 308s and darn good in the 223s as well. Benchmark has worked out better for my 223s

 

[nosler06]

It would probably be better to buy 1lb and see if it works for your intended uses. I use TAC, but H4895, H335, AA2520, AA2230, AA2460, Varget, & Benchmark will all work in both cartridges with multiple bullet weights.

Good advice that as you are just beginning to hand load.

Yes, I believe this is exactly what you advised me to do as well. I have loaded a set of ladder rounds with the Varget to try before I commit to large quantity of powder purchase. I was first steered in the IMR4895 powder for my .308 and tried it only to sell the rest of it to someone else as it was not a good fit with my .308 Browning BLR. When the wind stops blowing I will get out to test the Varget. I have no experience with the .223, so can't comment on it. Just my two cents worth. Have been reloading for years, but still so much to learn, and this is a great site to learn from so many with so much knowledge.

 

[257 Ackley]

I use others, but Varget is hard to beat for the 308 and 223.

This would be my choice as well if I'm only geting one, especially if the bullets for the .223 will be heavy for caliber.

 

[Desert Fox]

BLC- 2 is a good choice for both 308 and 223. Just watch for pressure spike since the powder is very sensitive to temperature changes. I use the powder extensively on both my 308 and 223 rifle.