opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

[GhostFace]

I am pretty sure that I am going to get a Hornady Lock N Load press. I am tired of the slow speed hat I get loading on aturret press. Everything that I have read states that extruded powders don't work well with the powder measures on progressive presses. I use AA2520 for my 5.56 77 grn load and IMR 4895 for my 7.62 178 grn load. If I go the progressive route I am looking at AA2520 or Ramshot TAC for both loads. My questions ae:

1. how are these two powders for LR work max range 980?( mostly for 7.62)

2. How is the temp stability with these two powders? I have not notice much with the 2520 but I have not shot for groups further 200 yards in varying temps.

3. What recomendations do you suggest for any ting different?

I am pretty much stuck on going with the Hornday press over the Dillion simply because of cash and I don not want to go with the D550 because it's not truely a progressive press. TIA!

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

One of the ball powders I've always though was overlooked was H-380 but mostly, I stay away from ball powders.

I had a load I thought was safe with Tac that was good 1 day and blew primers on my 1st 3 shots the next. Kind of ruined the day for me.

 

[turbo54]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

Don't know much about your listed powders, but in general, stick powders don't meter great, and ball powders aren't stable with temperature.

Couple thoughts:

Do a thorough OCW, the metering of Varget (or similar) MAY be good enough to keep you in/on your node.

IMR8207xbr meters pretty well and is stable. Not great velocity though.

Several folks claiming Alliant 2000mr power pro (ball powder) meters GREAT, gives GREAT velocity, and is VERY stable....sounds too good to be true, but I'm about to try it. You may want to check it out.

 

[Scimitar]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

We shot BLC2 with 175s loaded by Corbon at ASC in the 20 inch issue FN bolt guns and it worked fine all weekend during that
match.

 

[BCP]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

What about alliant powders? AR comp, 2000MR, RL15? Do those meter well through your progressive?

2520 and TAC will both work but are temp sensitive and never got good accuracy with either of them in comparison with varget.

 

[poke5353]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

I have been using AR Comp for my 175gr load for 308. I run 42gr of AR Comp and get 2720fps out of a 22" barrel. My Hornady LNL usually throws .2 either way. It is an extruded powder similar to Varget but it is a little smaller.

 

[steve123]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't know much about your listed powders, but in general, stick powders don't meter great, and ball powders aren't stable with temperature.

Couple thoughts:

Do a thorough OCW, the metering of Varget (or similar) MAY be good enough to keep you in/on your node.

IMR8207xbr meters pretty well and is stable. Not great velocity though.

Several folks claiming Alliant 2000mr power pro (ball powder) meters GREAT, gives GREAT velocity, and is VERY stable....sounds too good to be true, but I'm about to try it. You may want to check it out. </div></div>

OP, personally I'd try the newer powders turbo is suggesting.

AA2520 is the worst temp sensitive powder I've tried. H-4895 is the opposite but doesn't meter much better than Varget.

Get the Dillon, buy used if you have to. Much better than the Hornady!

 

[GhostFace]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

Who makes this Comp? I have a fairly hot load of AA2520 (24.5 grns. get 2805 fps 18 inch barrel)never any signs of pressure and is 1/2 MOA at 200yards. Never shot for groups beyond that. If AR Comp meters well I may have to buy a can to seee how it does out of my 10T before buying a big keg or three...

 

[Jerry m]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

You will do better with Hornady Extreme powers, the ball powders listed will give you vertical stringing at long range.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[DocB]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

GF,

Second Steve123. Alliant makes PP2000MR, you should be able to find some in your locale. I don't have the problem Jerry M mentioned with my .223.

HTH,
DocB

 

[TannerGun]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

'15 meters exceptionally well through my Uniflow...

 

[poke5353]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

Ar comp is made by alliant and they have some load data on their site. Ar comp is an extruded powder similar to varget but smaller so it meters better.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

I blew up my first AR upper with a BLC load made in the winter and shot in the summer. But I have had good luck with H414 being fairly stable. Now I just use RL-15 for almost everything and haven't had any issues.

 

[adam3999]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I blew up my first AR upper with a BLC load made in the winter and shot in the summer. But I have had good luck with H414 being fairly stable. Now I just use RL-15 for almost everything and haven't had any issues. </div></div>

RL-15 works great for me in .308 but only meters so-so. Out of all the extruded powders, I have the best luck with IMR 4985 with a Dillon powder measure. A slow downstroke is key.

 

[WindDoper]

Re: opinoins on ball powders for LR work?

Jerry means Hodgdon Extreme not Hornady Extreme, and by far some of the most consistent powders for first shot accuracy thus available. I've got match rifles that work with other powders for better accuracy, but most match shooting you get sighters so the first shot hit isn't as important as with longrange hunting.