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Here is what I have come up with so far:
My preferred Contender load using AA#9 and a 220 gr. SMK runs well. The only cycling issues appeared to have been mag-related (I'll make a separate post on that later). Interestingly enough, I got slightly more velocity from my 10" Contender than the 16" AR15 with this load.
I tried a starting load of 8.5 gr. of H110 with the 220 gr. SMK. This cycled fine, but only gave me velocities in the 800-900 fps. range. Might be something to the comments about H110 being inconsistent in the cold. It was a sunny 32 degrees F. at the range today. I had an extreme spread of 114 fps. from my min to max velocity. I might wait until summer to try this powder again. I got similar inconsistencies shooting this load in the Contender today as well.
With a 180 gr. bullet and H110, I got somewhat more consistent results, but some loads would have a single round drop off by over 100 fps.
I picked up a pound of AA1680 after I had loaded the other ammo, but I only initially loaded it with 150 gr. bullets intended for use in a .30-30. My starting load was all supersonic with one slow exception. Seems like there may be some cold-weather inconsistencies with this powder as well. This same load stayed subsonic in the Contender except for two high-speed fliers. I'm going to have to try some heavy loads with this powder.
These all have me scratching my head a little. In the past, .300 Whisper has been a very consistent performer. My most consistent load used a mild charge of AA#2. Unfortunately, this load is not likely to cycle at all in a semi-auto.
My other comment is that I really need to get a brass catcher. I don't like making brass all that much, and it was never a problem keeping track of it when I was stuffing them in one at a time.
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