DIANEB Wrote:I have
A2460
H335
TAC
Benchmark
A2520
A2200
A2230
CFE223
H4895
RL-7
RL-10
LVR
BL-C2
IMR3031

rickt300 Wrote:My God woman you are almost as much of a hoarder as I am! I like 3031 so much I would start with it.

Klem Wrote:East,

Not all ADI powders are exported. As far as I am aware, for the US market only Hodgdon buys ADI powders, and only a selection of what is available.
http://www.adiworldclass.com.au/faq-items/is-hodgdon-propellant-the-same-as-adi-propellant/

There are two versions of Benchmark here: BM1 and BM2. Hodgdon does not import BM1 so unfortunately you might never see it. That said, I've tried it and it seems to lack power when compared to alternatives like 4198 - might be why Hodgdon gave it a miss.

BM1 is faster and closer to H4198, whereas BM2 (called 'Benchmark' in the US) is slower and closer to 8208.

ADI also makes IMR8208 XBR, called BM8208 here. It's another short grain extruded powder so it falls under the Benchmark prefix. The IMR group of powder brokers was bought out by Hodgdon in 2003. Hodgdon imports it now but has kept the rebranding prefix 'IMR'.

The reason it is called Benchmark is that while they are extruded stick powders they are chopped fine so they meter well like ball powder. The name is designed to appeal to bench-rest shooters who are pretty fussy about getting the load exactly right.

This ADI powder equivalent table shows where BM1 and BM2 sit relative to other brands. I find it useful when looking for alternatives. I also use this equivalent table by Reloader Swiss.

I use 8208 for Grendel loads up to 120gn, and 4895 for 120gn and heavier. If those powders were not available the equivalent charts are a good list of similar alternatives.