My local store was out of 4895, so I picked up some bl-c(2) for my 223 loads. any thing I should know or do different with the ball powder vs the stick? obviously I need to run a ladder again, any one got a good starting recipe or pet load with blc2 lc brass wsr primer and 50-55 gr fmj?
Switching powder IMR4895 to H bl-c2
- Thread starter 308Loader
- Start date
BL-C(2) is canister grade WC846, originally intended for 7.62 ball ammo. It did not test well in the AR with 55 grain bullets until they tried an exceptionally fast lot. That worked, and St. Marks was asked to make more of the fast version, which they gave the separate designation of WC844. Today that fast version is sold in canister grade for handloaders as H335.
If you want to run BL-C(2) in .223/5.56, you really want to use it with a heavier bullet. At least 62 grains and maybe even 69 grains. This is to prevent secondary pressure spikes like the ones shown below. They can cause barrel ringing.
Reproduced with kind permission from Jim Ristow at shootingsoftware.com.
With either powder, CCI magnum primers are recommended. CCI reformulated their magnum primers in 1989 specifically for the WC series spherical propellants which are harder to ignite than stick powders.
If you want to run BL-C(2) in .223/5.56, you really want to use it with a heavier bullet. At least 62 grains and maybe even 69 grains. This is to prevent secondary pressure spikes like the ones shown below. They can cause barrel ringing.
Reproduced with kind permission from Jim Ristow at shootingsoftware.com.
With either powder, CCI magnum primers are recommended. CCI reformulated their magnum primers in 1989 specifically for the WC series spherical propellants which are harder to ignite than stick powders.
I've loaded a little more than 1000 rounds using 25.0 gr BL-C(2), 55 gr FMJs and CCI 400s in mixed headstamp brass. I have had no issues and gotten decent accuracy though this is just a plinking round for an AR. When I first started reloading, this was the only powder I could find locally that was suited for 223.
I shoot quite a lot of it with 53-55gr bullets in 100yd highpower matches, works great for me and is as accurate as anything else I've tried for those; it also meters excellent through a measure which speeds up my loading process nicely. My loads are in the 26.5 gr range w/CCI 450 primers. I should try it with heavier bullets as well; ball powder is generally considered a bit less accurate than stick but that has not been my own experience with BL-C(2) at least. My most accurate loads for the .204 use it as well. It is a little bit sootier though, most noticeable in the ARs but not a big deal to me.
Unclenick; hadn't heard of that possibility and will do some research on it...I don't shoot any .223 bullets lighter than 53g and haven't noticed any issues in two other barrels but I'd certainly hate to ring a new Krieger like that.
Unclenick; hadn't heard of that possibility and will do some research on it...I don't shoot any .223 bullets lighter than 53g and haven't noticed any issues in two other barrels but I'd certainly hate to ring a new Krieger like that.
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bluetopper
New member
The above graph says this is the result of AA2230 powder which from my experience and all others I know about, is a wonderful performer in 223. Never have I ever heard anything whatsoever derogatory regarding this powder.
What does the above graph have to do with BLC2?
What does the above graph have to do with BLC2?
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bluetopper
New member
If you were close I'd sure buy it from you.
It's a stellar performer for me in 223, 7TCU, 22-250, and 7mm/08.
I still don't know what the graph posted above has to do with BLC2.
It's a stellar performer for me in 223, 7TCU, 22-250, and 7mm/08.
I still don't know what the graph posted above has to do with BLC2.
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oldreloader
New member
BLC2 has been a great performer for a lot of years. Ain't nothing wrong with that powder.
Ok, so what I have on hand is blc2, win and lc brass, wsr primers, 55gr z-max bullets. loading for carbine length ar15 (Olympic flat top plinker), chambered in 5.56.
Would the wsr primer be sufficient to fully ignite blc2?
As stated in the other post because my barrel is shorter than 20" I should be ok, and not wreck any thing?
Is 55gr bullet too light for this powder?
Would the wsr primer be sufficient to fully ignite blc2?
As stated in the other post because my barrel is shorter than 20" I should be ok, and not wreck any thing?
Is 55gr bullet too light for this powder?
bluetopper
New member
Hodgdon lists 223 loads with BLC2 powder with as low as a 35gr bullet.
Take that with how ever much integrity you think it merits or rely on somebody's postings on some gun forum on the internet.
Take that with how ever much integrity you think it merits or rely on somebody's postings on some gun forum on the internet.
603Country
New member
I'm keeping my BL-C(2). I'll just use it on heavier bullets. Same with the AA2230.
This whole secondary pressure spike thing seems to exist. But, if you have a new rifle with a tight bore that isn't rough as a cob, it would seem that we'd be Ok. Probably magnum primers would help too, though that's one thing I don't presently have. Might get me some. And in the future, as I buy new powders, I'll go for faster ones for the 223, as Unclenick suggested. Problem solved, and if there's really no problem, we solved it anyway.
This whole secondary pressure spike thing seems to exist. But, if you have a new rifle with a tight bore that isn't rough as a cob, it would seem that we'd be Ok. Probably magnum primers would help too, though that's one thing I don't presently have. Might get me some. And in the future, as I buy new powders, I'll go for faster ones for the 223, as Unclenick suggested. Problem solved, and if there's really no problem, we solved it anyway.
oldreloader
New member
I use 2230 with Mid-South Varmint Nightmare X-Treme 55 GR and BLC-2 with Hornady Spire Point and Varmint Nightmare Spire Point 55 GR. They BOTH perform well out of a Savage bolt action.