Flexible Powder

[Fudmottin]

Hi Folks,

This is more of a survey than a question. However, sage advice is always welcome here.

What do you find to be the most flexible powder for your 300-221 loads? By flexible, I mean using the same powder behind a variety of bullet weights.

If I could shoot super sonic 125 TNTs and subsonic 240 SMKs with the same powder and primer, that would make my day. If the same powder can be used to shoot 69s in .223 Rem, that would be the prize winning powder.

Just incase it matters, the primers I have are Remington 6 1/2 and CCI 450. The Remington primers have been stored in less than ideal conditions. The CCI primers are new.

[kurtz]

Originally Posted by Fudmottin

Hi Folks,

This is more of a survey than a question. However, sage advice is always welcome here.

What do you find to be the most flexible powder for your 300-221 loads? By flexible, I mean using the same powder behind a variety of bullet weights.

If I could shoot super sonic 125 TNTs and subsonic 240 SMKs with the same powder and primer, that would make my day. If the same powder can be used to shoot 69s in .223 Rem, that would be the prize winning powder.

Just incase it matters, the primers I have are Remington 6 1/2 and CCI 450. The Remington primers have been stored in less than ideal conditions. The CCI primers are new.

I've had pretty good luck with Accurate 1680 as a "all-around" good powder...Is it the optimum powder for every centerfire rifle cartridge?...no, of course not....will it produce working loads in several?....yep

some cartridges I use it in:

19 Badger
204 Ruger
218 Bee
22 K Hornet
221 Rem
222 Rem
223 Rem (65s and 69s)
25x40mm
25x39mm
30 Carbine
300 Whisper (subs and supers)
7.62 ARk
7.62x40mm
7.62x39mm
308x39mm
358x39mm
7mm08
308 Win
35 Rem
30-06
7.62x63

probably have loaded others with it but this what I could think of off the top of my head....

hope this helps,

kurtz

[Fudmottin]

I'll have to look out for some Accurate 1680. How sensitive is it to temperature? How does the burn rate compare to VV N133?

[pomofo]

I've never heard of Acc. 1680 being temperature sensitive. It has the reputation, at least in the big magnum revolver cartridges, of being the type of powder you can fill the case with, get decent velocites, and still not reach peak pressure. In 300 Fireball it works beautifully for me with bullets from 147 on up, and after my bad experiences with H110 in the 110s and 125s, I'm going to try it in the lighter bullets. Quickload estimates around 2200fps with the 110s, 2100 with the 125s. Not quite up to AK numbers, but good enough for me.

[kurtz]

I haven't had any problems with 1680 being temp sensitive....

the burn rate chart I have shows 1680 being slightly faster than N133 but slower than N130....

I've used 1680 with 110gr to 240gr bullets in the 300 Whisper in barrel lengths from 16 to 24"....as pomofo pointed out, decent velocities with acceptable pressures.....the 1680 is the go-to powder in several of my wildcats for that reason....

kurtz

[320pf]

I have had pretty good luck with IRM4227 (H4227 has been discontinued) W296 and AA#-9.

I would like to try AA168 but I have not been able to find any in the local stores. I guess that I am going to have to order up a bunch of powder and put some AA1680 on the list.

320pf

[Fudmottin]

I think AA1680 is going onto my list too. It would be nice to find a 1lb can locally. I hate that HAZMAT fee.

I neglected to mention that I will be running a 16" barrel with the port in the pistol position. I'm not ready to pay $200 for the "privilege" of an SBR. Also an SBR runs into that darn 5320.20 form to transport across state lines.