Local gun store has some Accurate Arms 2230 powder on the shelf.

What are the pros and cons of its use in a 223 Remington?

Pros,
Meters good
Burn rate right in the benchmark, 335, 8208 range
Takes the same charge as those mentioned above for good velocity.
LOTS of manufacturer's data

Cons,
Absolutely none, unless your rifle don't like it.

It is one of my pals favorite for the .223... On his and his sons recommendation, I bought some, but haven't had a chance to use it.. They reported excellent accuracy and very fine speeds with 50 grain bullets...

I'd have tried it myself, and I bet it works just fine but there are so many other powders that work well and I personally never needed to go beyond H335 and Benchmark for light bullets and H4895 for heavier ones. We are lucky we have so many great powders for .223 Remington. For that matter we're lucky there are so many great powders across the board...I just hope we can start finding the stuff we'd like to have before too long.

It's an excellent powder for the .223. I've used it more than twenty years, primarily with 55 grain bullets.

AA2230 is the same as Ramshot Xterminator. I have the AA version and like it well enough.

I have heard that before (that AA2230 = RS Xterminator). Is that a confirmed truth from the powder manufacturer themself? And if so, is the data interchangeable?

If you look at the Accurate/Ramshot load guide 5.0, you will see that the data for listed cartridges is identical with both powders.

I've used more than 32 pounds of it in various .222's and .223's, including bolt action, semiauto and full auto over the years and have not found a "con" yet.

So, it looks like it should shine with bullets toward the lighter end then? Any favorite loads with 40, 50, or 55 grainers?

Yep! Though interestingly enough there is a slight difference in some of the load data for the 222 IIRC. That they are the same has been posted on 24hour previously. Similarly, a google search will turn up a thread from another board where a poster posted an email from the Ramshot confirming it.

I use other stuff in a .223, but AA2230 works fine. It's my choice in a 17 MIV and just magic in the 6BR with 55-70gr bullets.

In a 6BR, I get speeds with 55-70g bullets that no one would believe, accuracy at 300 is simply unbelievable, pick a bullet. Now I need to try it in a 223.

It's horrible!! Absolutely horrible!! You all need to send that AA2230 to me and I will get rid of it for you.


AA2230 has been my go to powder for a long time. It's been really hard to find lately so you guys stop saying good things about it and maybe it will last on the shelf more than a few minutes. kwg

I use it behind the Sierra 65 gr GK, and it shoots great with a near max load.

If it's the same as X-Terminator I can't think of any cons. I haven't tried it with any bullets over 60 gr, mostly 55 and under. Good accuracy and it burns clean.

40 gr Ballistic tips with Ramshot's max recommended load of 27 gr is one of the most accurate loads in my 1-12 twist Model 70 Sporter. It also chronies at around 3700 fps as advertised.

Resurrection time.

I recently loaded some 60 grain Ballistic tips with this for my AR-15, used mixed resized & trimmed brass went about 1/2 grain below the book max powder charge. Trying some with the C41 & others with the CCI 450.

Anyone been down this road recently?

41

I've found about anything works in a 223. only powder I have had problems with, was H 335. And that was probably a bad batch that sneaked out of the factory. 25 grains of it with a 55 grain bullet, blew up an action.. on the same rifle twice. One was my handloads and one was from a box of Black Hills Ammo.

gave the action to a gunsmith friend, Mike Bellm.. some may recognize the name.. does Thompson Contender barrels.
He repaired the action, rechambered the barrel to a 222, and went on.

to AA 2230 in current times.... if its sitting on the shelf, its better in a 223, than ALL the other powders that AREN'T there................

Availability trumps powders that aren't there, courtesy of the DNCC and Joe Biden.

same with primers, bullets etc...

My favorite. I have used many others over the years but when I found 2230 I used it only.

Book max for .223 or for 5.56 ?? It's been a long time since I have seen any AA2230. I have some AA2460 but I haven't seen it for a while either. Sportsman's Warehouse has some 2200 and 2495. I guess one of those 2 are next.

kwg

Got this data from Sierra book edition V. They lump .223 & the AR-15 all into 1. This book shows a max load of AA-2230 of 25.1 grains with the Sierra 60 grain HP @ 2950 fps out of a 20” barrel. Federal case, Remington 7 1/2 primer.

Some of my better loads with A2230/X-Terminator in those bullet weights have been:

Nosler 50 gr. BT, Rem brass, CCI 450 primer, 26.2 gr. A2230, 3,175 fps.
Hornady 55 gr. FMJ, Rem brass, CCI 450 primer, 24.6 gr. A2230, 3,000 fps
Sierra 55 gr. HPBT, Rem Brass, CCI 450 primer, 25.0 gr. A2230, 2,970 fps

These were from an AR with a 16", 1:9 twist barrel.

NVhntr, thanks!

24.6 to 25.2 for a 55 grain bullet. What ever gets you the most accuracy.

kwg

I’ve probably burned upwards of 30+ lbs of it in various.223’s. It’s great.