Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Accurate powders selection

Accurate has so many powders, 2230, 2200, 2460, 2520, and 2015, that all seem to be close in burning rate and listed for about the same purposes/calibers, does anyone have a 'favorite' in these?

Been thinking of buying a 8 pound keg of one powder to keep on hand, for various small caliber loads and want to save the expense of buying a pound of each for researching. anyone have a personal preference in any of these?

Thanks in advance, Desertshooter

For my 223 uses, I have been enjoying 2015 a lot....

it does a good job in the 22.250 also..

I like or should say my TC rifle and pistol barrels like 2460 and 2520 in many cartridges

I use alot of AA2200 in 4 - 17 Badgers that i have 2-20VT and a 20SCC. I like the way it meters but temp sensitive is o.k. not great.

I have used the powder you listed with the exception of 2520. 2460 was my first "favorite" when I was loading 7mmTCU and 30-30 Win for my Contender. When I got more into the .223 Rem. for varmints, 2015 seemed to be the ticket. But now, I have settled on Ramshot TAC and have burned through 3 of the 8 pound kegs, so far. ( The AR-15's probably have something to do with that). TAC is clean burning, meters fantastic in a powder measure and has provided good velocity and accuracy with bullets from 40 gr up to 77 gr. Some people say it is temperature sensitive, but I haven't noticed any dramatic changes to accuracy or point of aim in temperatures from 30° to 90°+. But then, I don't exceed maximum published loads. I still have a pound or two of 2015 and a pound of 2460 and will probably load some with those, too. But I plan on buying another 8 pounder or two of TAC when I finish off what I have.

You left out a couple LT30 and LT32, I have been shooting 2015 for quite a few years but in the last say 15 years it has been manufactured in 3 different countries. My oldest lot from 2000 does not say where it was made, I have a lot# made in the Czech Republic and lot# made in Canada. 3 different burn rates that the load manuals don't account for, the newer Canada powder is quite a bit slower burn rate than the older powders. As mentioned above TAC is a very useful powder made in Belgium, the only problem I have with it is that it is a double base powder. In most cases is not a problem but if you are a high volume shooter it will toast a barrel faster than using single base powders. My favorite Accurate powder of the last couple years is LT32 small extruded, meters well single base, consistent lot to lot, good accuracy and velocity, made in Canada. probably better with light bullets TAC better with heavier bullets

I like 2015 in my .356 Winchester and Magpro in my .270 with 150s.

For me TAC and WSR primers for 63gr & 65gr Sierras

I started load development with Rem 7.5's. Then switched to WSR primers and gained 40fps and reduced extreme spreads from 50fps to 12-20 (no joke)

I used the 5.56 section of the Western Powders online load data, and only noticed slight primer flattening at the very top load of 26.3 grains. 26.3 gave about the same velocity as 26.1 grains (2850fps 16 inch carbine 45°F)

26.1 however had no primer flattening and my Colt Trooper shoots 0.9-1.1 MOA.

This is very pleasing for an $800 hunting rifle.

AA2520 is well known as the champion heavy bullet velocity powder.

I am itching to try 2230,2460 and others too.

I have to finish off some other canisters first.

I can't say TAC is a clean powder. I also can't say it is dirty either. I just notice a clear difference when cleaning my BGG's. vs others like 748 and such.

748 is clean. Not fast... but clean.

2200 with light bullets shoots great in the 223 and the fireball.

HM

A2520 gives me top speed in all bullet weights in my Arms 15's, it's also tops in accuracy except with 52: gr match bullets, that honor goes to A2230.

I took my Colt 16 incher to the range again on Friday. Not as good of luck with the Sierra Game King/TAC combo as before.

I did however have good luck with the Barnes 70gr TSX bullets and TAC. Once again i used the online 5.56 data and loaded all the way up to max in .2 grain increments. 24.4 was .85 of an inch. 24.6 shot 1.75 and all the rest of the groups through the max of 25.6 shot terrible. 2 - 2.3 MOA.

I am real happy with the 24.4 grain TAC/WSR load. 24.4 over my chronograph got me 2711fps with an ES of 16fps. The max of 25.6 averaged 2824fps. It was 38° F and around 200 feet above the ocean.

I am looking forward to going back and playing around a tenth above and a tenth below to find the middle range.

I also stopped by the store and picked up a can of 2520 hoping for a touch more velocity with the same accuracy. This is my new Cougar rifle. The 70's need to go fast. I will report back on Friday night the results.

I now use only the Sierra 65 GK in my Colt ARs. It's a very accurate bullet that equals the accuracy of the 69 MK, at least up to 200 yards. I was hoping my most accurate load would be with TAC powder because it meters so well. After shooting lots of groups with both the 65 GK and the 69 MK, H4895 provided slightly better accuracy than TAC. Of course, H4895 doesn't go through a measure as well as TAC.

did you get a chance to test drive the 2520?- I'm leaning towards getting an 8pounder of it, it's listed for more calibers- still thinking of 2230 as well

wish one type would go on sale really cheap and make the decision for me- cost

midsouth
If you hurry, they are offering free hazmat with 4 or more pounds of Western powders (Accurate, Ramshot, or Norma )
Pretty good deal through March 25. I like the one I linked to, but you could mix and match 1 pounders if you want to experiment.

I did gather a bunch of data! I forgot to report back.

I saw on the western powders website that they have new loading manual out. I ordered it immediately. Looking online is fun. There is just something about books that i like better...

I tested the 2520 until .4 grains before max listed 5.56 data was reached. To my surprise on a much warmer day the 2520 shot around 35 fps less than TAC shot and a bit colder of a day 38° vs 49° or so. TAC has better velocity on a 38° day .4 under max than 2520 had .4 under on a 49° day.

My average velocity at .4 under max was 2750fps at 200 feet / 49° with 2520 out of my 16 inch barrel.

No pressure at these temps. None! No ejector marks, no extractor marks, round primers etc on this Lake City Brass. This Colt has a big chamber. The cases hold a lot of powder compared to some brands. YMMV.

I did a replay of my TAC loads and was unable to duplicate any good groups. As a matter of fact i stopped and pulled the rest of the bullets that night. This is not that accurate of a barrel in general... I did however find over a wider range, that the 2520 shot better. No real great groups and no real extra terrible ones. The worst were a nice close gathering and a pitched shot or flier. All were trying for 1.5 inch out of a military style barrel. I will buy some more 70's and start a little lower again on a warmer day and see what happens at max 5.56 data. Not to mention compare velocity notes.

I noticed that 2230 has the highest listed velocity for 70gr barnes.

I will buy some of that next time i go to the store. For the 70's and others i have on hand.

I am really hoping to find something that shoots accurately at around 2700fps and is hopefully around a grain below max. I would also like to see there be around a .3 tenth grain window for this accuracy.

While i am at it... Winning the lotto would be nice. Barnes bullets are F'ing expensive. I learned my lesson about load development. Usually i work up .2 tenths at a time in 5 shot groups.

Find the winning range and then build a bunch of ammo .1 ± and find the most steady shooter

I did that with my high dollar bullets and lost a lot of money.

Next time i see a great group i will only load 5 or 10 to see if it is repeatable.

I won't be able to shoot again until mid April or so. I will post back the results. 2520 again with likely 2230 and 2460 powders.

As of right now i am liking 2520 much better for this combo. 1.5 MOA maximum is more than adequate accuracy for me.

If you're hoping to find best accuracy a grain below max, you're using the wrong powders. These like to be run at full throttle for best results. By full throttle, I mean Ramshot's 5.56 data, not the milder 223 data.