Description
Benchmark is a fast-burning rifle powder engineered by Hodgdon, known for its reliability and consistency in handloading applications. Its burn rate aligns closely with what is needed for small to medium-sized rifle cartridges, making it particularly well-suited for calibers such as .223 Remington and .308 Winchester. This extruded propellant features a small grain size, enhancing its metering characteristics for precise powder charges through standard equipment, reducing charge weight variations. Benchmark exhibits outstanding temperature stability, ensuring consistent ballistic performance across a broad range of environmental conditions, which is a significant advantage for reloaders seeking dependable loads for competitive shooting or hunting. During load development, Benchmark offers a forgiving nature with manageable pressure characteristics, allowing for fine-tuning of powder charges to achieve optimal accuracy and velocity. Hodgdon’s reputation in the handloading community for producing high-quality propellants adds further credibility, making Benchmark a preferred choice for precision shooters who demand consistent, repeatable results.
Specifications
Burn Rate
5 (Medium)
Bulk Density
0.906 g/cm³
Density
1.620 g/cm³
Temperature Sensitivity
Low
Suitable Substitutes
Powders with a similar burn rate that may be suitable alternatives (also see burn rate chart):
Standard Loads — Hodgdon Benchmark
Verified load data combinations using Hodgdon Benchmark.
.17 Rem.
Berger .172 | 25gr | Berger Varmint 25gr
.17 Rem.
Hornady .172 | 25gr | Hornady V-MAX 25gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 35gr | Berger FB Varmint 35gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 40gr | Berger Varmint 40gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 55gr | Berger Varmint 55gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 32gr | Hornady V-MAX 32gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 40gr | Hornady V-MAX 40gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 45gr | Hornady SP 45gr
.20 BR
Impala Bullets .204 | 30gr | Impala LWHV LS 30gr
.20 BR
Impala Bullets .204 | 30gr | Impala LW CFN 30gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler CT Ballistic Silvertip RN 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Varmageddon HP 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Varmageddon 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead Free 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 40gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 40gr
.20 BR
Peregrine .204 | 34gr | Peregrine VLR-4 34gr
.20 BR
Peregrine .204 | 36gr | Peregrine VLR-5 36gr
Subsonic Loads — Hodgdon Benchmark
Verified subsonic load data combinations using Hodgdon Benchmark.
.30-06 Spring.
Berger .308 | 230gr | Berger Hybrid Target 230gr
.30-06 Spring.
Berger .308 | 230gr | Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical 230gr
.30-06 Spring.
Discreet Ballistics .308 | 188gr | Discreet Ballistics Selous Machined Expander 188gr
.30-06 Spring.
Hornady .308 | 175gr | Hornady Sub-X 175gr
.30-06 Spring.
Hornady .308 | 190gr | Hornady Sub-X 190gr
.30-06 Spring.
Lapua .308 | 200gr | Lapua Subsonic 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
MAKER .308 | 200gr | MAKER 200 Grain .308 Expanding Subsonic Blackout Bullets 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
MAKER .308 | 220gr | MAKER 300 blackout 220gr
.30-06 Spring.
Peregrine .308 | 155gr | Peregrine Subsonic 155gr
.30-06 Spring.
Reichenberg .308 | 154gr | Reichenberg HDB Subsonic 154gr
.30-06 Spring.
Reichenberg .308 | 200gr | Reichenberg Subsonic 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
Sierra .308 | 220gr | Sierra MatchKing 220gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 95gr | AERO SUB-I,- smax:11.30 95gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 115gr | AERO SUB,- smax:11.40 115gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 190gr | AERO SUB,- smax:23.90 190gr
.308 Win.
Discreet Ballistics .308 | 188gr | Discreet Ballistics Selous Machined Expander 188gr
.308 Win.
Hornady .308 | 175gr | Hornady Sub-X 175gr
.308 Win.
Hornady .308 | 190gr | Hornady Sub-X 190gr
Community Loads — Hodgdon Benchmark
Sample load data calculated with Hodgdon Benchmark.
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| Cartridge | Bullet | Barrel (in) | Charge (gr) | OAL (in) | Case Volume (GoW) | Max. Pressure (psi) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .204 | 32gr | Hornady V-MAX | 26.0 | 28.1 | 2.26 | 32.8 | 57,740 (98%) | 3881 | |
| .204 | 32gr | Hornady V-MAX | 26.0 | 26.4 | 2.26 | 32.8 | 47,935 (82%) | 3691 | |
| .204 | 39gr | Sierra Blitzking BT | 26.0 | ••.• | 2.30 | 32.8 | 55,259 (94%) | 3599 | |
| .204 | 39gr | Sierra Blitzking BT | 26.0 | ••.• | 2.30 | 32.8 | 54,650 (93%) | 3589 | |
| .204 | 39gr | Sierra Blitzking BT | 26.0 | ••.• | 2.30 | 32.8 | 54,041 (92%) | 3576 | |
| .204 | 39gr | Sierra Blitzking BT | 26.0 | 26.1 | 2.30 | 32.8 | 53,447 (91%) | 3566 | |
| .224 | 69gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing | 16.5 | ••.• | 2.26 | 34.6 | 51,895 (100%) | 2772 | |
| .224 | 69gr | Hornady ELD-VT | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.70 | 50.0 | 61,743 (95%) | 3281 | |
| .224 | 69gr | Hornady ELD-VT | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.70 | 50.0 | 53,519 (82%) | 3153 | |
| .224 | 62gr | Hornady FMJ | 24.1 | ••.• | 2.35 | 44.7 | 45,629 (78%) | 3156 | |
| .224 | 60gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing | 24.1 | ••.• | 2.57 | 44.6 | 43,352 (74%) | 3150 | |
| .224 | 50gr | Lapua Naturalis | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 49,719 (90%) | 3146 | |
| .224 | 55gr | Lapua FMJ | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 51,851 (94%) | 3084 | |
| .224 | 55gr | Lapua FMJ | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 47,108 (86%) | 2995 | |
| .224 | 55gr | Lapua FMJ | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 45,948 (84%) | 2972 | |
| .224 | 55gr | Lapua FMJ | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 43,265 (79%) | 2920 | |
| .224 | 55gr | Lapua FMJ | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 40,712 (74%) | 2864 | |
| .224 | 60gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing | 16.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 28.8 | 60,046 (109%) | 2861 |
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