Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Alliant 4000-MR powder experience

I was given some Alliant 4000-MR powder and can't find much data for it; and no one I know (on my block) has any experience loading it. I have a "reasonable" (for a "gun looney") collection of calibers I load for from .224 to .458 diameter and would appreciate any loads used by those on this forum that have used this powder. Thanks, '06

Thumbs down.....I tried it in several applications and in each case it never out shot a single preferred load in any rifle. Velocities were somewhat lower than I expected as well.

posted this long ago when the powder first came out. I ended up using the last of the powder a few years ago with an old 30-06.

Here is what I posted:


. 4000 MR has finally hit the market. Did some comparative testing this morning. Was curious if 4000 MR would best RL-17's performance.

Two 7 Rem Mags were used. 24" and 30" barrels.

Original loads:

24" barrel. moly coated 150 nos bt, 67 gr of RL-17 vel 3260
30" barrel. Moly coated 140 accubond 66 gr of RL-17 vel 3400

Temperature for testing was mid 80s.

Worked up loads for 24" barrel, with two cases per 1 grain increments using same components/loading methods except for change in powder

66 gr vel 3046 3047
67 gr vel 3077 3106
68 gr vel 3151 3163
69 gr vel 3186 3183 max load for conditions
70 gr vel 3254 3264 hint of bolt lift/ shiny extractor mark



30" barrel again same components/loading methods

66 gr vel 3351 3287
67 gr vel 3356 3386
68 gr vel 3402 3403 hint of bolt lift bullets touched
69 gr vel 3452 3450 same bolt lift bullets touched
70 gr vel 3501 3477 accuracy fell off/harder bolt lift
71 gr vel 3521 3527 same as 70 gr



Impressions: this powder didn't surpass RL-17's velocities in the short barrel but duplicated and slightly surpassed RL-17 in the longer barrel. Some velocities were very similar as seen above. Has accuracy potential.

The extruded kernels are smaller, approx 1/2 the length of RL-17 with same diameter. Even with the max loads there is an air space between the powder and base of bullet.

That is it for now. I intend to try 160 accubonds next.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just got back from the second testing session. This time shot moly coated 160 accubonds from the longer barreled 7 Rem Mag. (30")

Didn't have any loads to compare as this bullet hasn't been shot before. Decided to compare RL-25 and Power Pro 4000 MR.


Conditions were 90-93 degrees. Bullets were seated approx .030" into rifling. Neck sized/neck turned win brass, 215 match primer. Two shots fired with each powder increment.

Power Pro 4000 MR
62 gr 3015 3015
63 gr 3043 3060
64 gr 3098 3114 most accurate with two shots cutting each other
65 gr 3122 3141
66 3148 3163 hint of bolt lift/pressure

RL-25

70 gr 3096 3077
71 gr 3120 3131
73 gr 3235 3261
74 gr 3320 3294 hint of bolt lift/pressure


That pretty much concludes any testing with the 7 rem mags and Power Pro 4000 MR.

MR stands for magnum rifle. Sure would like to know which magnum rifle!!! Getting a bit over 3100 fps with a 30" barrel doesn't seem very impressive to me.

Now deciding what rifle to test next.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

biggest disappointment is that this new Power Pro 4000 MR was presented as another long burning curve powder similar to RL-17. 6mmBR said something to that effect last September AND a representative from Alliant said it as well. I don't believe it has the same formulation as RL-17 or it would have beaten it in some of my tests.

To its credit it seems to have some nodes that were accurate with minimal velocity differences. I will be shooting one accurate load in that 7 rem mag soon to see just how consistent it is. While velocities were down compared to other powders it might be a good one for tight groups. FYI I have not heard from the Alliant Rep I e-mailed. I wanted to know if it was an extreme powder. RL-17's canister says it is, 4000 MR makes no mention of it.
====================================================================

Aviator
Campfire Regular said:

I recieved an e-mail from alliant about the temp. sensitivity of 4000 MR, They are calling it moderatly temp. sensitive...
===============================================================================
Went out this morning to try some other rifles with Power Pro 4000 MR, began shooting at 6:30 am, temperature was 86 degrees.

First rifle 24" 243. Non moly coated 100 gr nosler partition. OAL 2.665" Each velocity listed is an average of four rounds.

243:

40 gr 2850
41 gr 2925 had best accuracy @ 3/4".
42 gr 2955
43 gr 3060 group opened up

----------

Second rifle 284 win with 23" barrel and 3.1" mag box. Moly coated 160 accubond OAL 3.085" Temperature 89 degrees

284:

53 gr 2735
54 gr 2765
55 gr 2815
56 gr 2845
57 gr 2875

55-57 shot nice 1/2" groups

----------------------

Retried the most accurate load with that 30" 7 rem mag. It was
64 grs. Today it didn't shoot at well even though the temperatures were the same. Velocites were the same approx 3118 or so. Four shot group approx 1 1/2".

------------------------
The Power Pro 4000 MR tests are now over. The last rifle to try was my friend's newly rebarreled 300 win mag.

I wanted to do a few "one shot and clean" to help break in the new barrel so I shot another rifle first.

First rifle was that 23" 284 win mentioned earlier. All loading factors were the same as the 4000 MR test. Wanted to show that RL-17 would soundly beat 4000 MR. I had never tried any 160s in this rifle with RL-17. When RL-17 came out last year I built a great load with a moly coated 150 nos bt. Worked up to 3200 fps but the accuracy load was at 3100 fps using 57 gr of RL-17.

Moly coated 160 accubond, temperature 90 degrees:

54 gr open groups
2905
2938
2895

55 gr open groups
2963
2978

56 gr began tightening up
3020
3023
3016

57 gr most accurate no pressure signs at all
3074
3067
3069
it was now 92 degrees. This load had two cutting into each other with total group size 3/8". It was 1/2" lower than the 150 nos bt with same windage. Will wait for cooler temps to try it again.





300 win mag with 180 nosler pt, temperature now 93 degrees

73 gr
3012 ave
74 gr sun angle messed with the chronograph, no velocities but two shots cut into one another
75 (suggested max load) 94 degrees, hard bolt lift, quit testing.
Sorry it wasn't much of a test. Too darn hot!


There IS going to be a slower powder with RL-17's formulation (long buring curve) coming out in about a year.
====================
turns out that new powder is RL-33.

Thank you AZ for your re-post; it is most helpful! '06.