Bobs' 223 Bulk Bullets - N140 and Benchmark

Published on August 25, 2017
Duration: 22:56

This video details a reloading experiment focusing on accuracy with 55-grain FMJ boat tail bullets from 'Bob's Bullets' (.223 Remington caliber). The instructor tests two powders, Vihtavuori N140 and Hodgdon Benchmark, across a range of charges, while also exploring the impact of weight-sorting the bullets. While neither powder achieved sub-MOA accuracy consistently, Vihtavuori N140 showed slightly better performance. The instructor also discusses future reloading plans and potential range upgrades.

Quick Summary

In a reloading test of Bob's 55-grain .223 bulk bullets, Vihtavuori N140 powder yielded slightly better accuracy, with groups typically between 1-1.5 inches. Hodgdon Benchmark also performed adequately but showed less consistency. Bullet weight sorting revealed excellent uniformity, with most bullets weighing 55.28 grains.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Quest for Accuracy with Bob's Bullets
  2. 00:51Testing Vihtavuori N140 Powder
  3. 01:26Testing Hodgdon Benchmark Powder
  4. 02:02Load Development Strategy Explained
  5. 03:29Brass and Primers Used
  6. 03:51Bullet Weight Sorting Analysis
  7. 06:45Preparing for the Range
  8. 08:43Range Session Begins: Vihtavuori N140 Results
  9. 12:38Range Session: Hodgdon Benchmark Results
  10. 15:10Post-Range Analysis: Brass and Group Review
  11. 16:38Powder Comparison: N140 vs Benchmark vs Previous Tests
  12. 16:53Velocity and Standard Deviation Data
  13. 17:38Improving Accuracy: Shooter and Range Factors
  14. 19:22Future Reloading Plans: New Powders
  15. 20:21Upcoming Videos: 300 Blackout and Casting
  16. 21:26Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What powders were tested with Bob's 55-grain .223 bulk bullets?

The video tested Vihtavuori N140 and Hodgdon Benchmark powders with 55-grain Full Metal Jacket boat tail bullets from Bob's Bullets (.223 Remington caliber). Load development ranged from 25.0 to 27.0 grains for N140 and 23.5 to 25.5 grains for Benchmark.

How consistent were Bob's 55-grain bulk bullets by weight?

After weighing approximately 250-275 bullets, the instructor found exceptional weight consistency. The most common weight measured was 55.28 grains, with very few outliers, indicating a high-quality product for bulk ammunition components.

Which powder performed better for accuracy with 55-grain .223 bullets?

Vihtavuori N140 showed slightly better accuracy, generally producing groups between 1 to 1.5 inches. Hodgdon Benchmark also performed decently but had some shots that dropped low, impacting overall group consistency. Neither powder consistently achieved sub-MOA accuracy in this test.

What are the recommended load ranges for Vihtavuori N140 and Hodgdon Benchmark with 55-grain .223 bullets?

For Vihtavuori N140, the tested range was 25.0 to 27.0 grains. For Hodgdon Benchmark, the tested range was 23.5 to 25.5 grains, with the bottle data indicating 25.6 grains as the maximum.

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