Anyone tried Pro 2000-MR in the 8x57mm?

I'm seeing it as a little slower than RL15. Would this be correct?

Talking to myself here....

Alliant rep was a big help. *Heavy southern drawl* "We haven't worked any data up in the 8mm mauser yet. It should be an excellent powder for it." "Little slower than RL-15.... should be 'bout right."

Thanks guy. Excuse me while I can see if I can blow myself up.

Day 1: No accuracy, just shot over the chronograph.
175gr Sierra, 3.06" COAL, Nosler Brass,CCI200

Pro 2000MR
48 2389
48.5 2428
49 2442

Day 2: Got started to late and the sun was f'ing with the chrony so just shot for groups. 54gr is all I'm willing to go without velocity data. No overt pressure signs.
50 1.29"

51 1.32"

52 1.08"

53 2.05"

54 .91"

Filling in the velocity blanks for the 52 grain to 54 grain loads. I will hold at 54gr as max load.

48gr 2389fps
48.5gr 2428fps
49gr 2442fps
50gr
51gr
52gr 2619fps
53gr 2642fps
54gr 2682fps

Re-shot the 52 grain to 54 grain loads today.

I can't prove it, but I think it is the same powder as CFE223; or a kiss in cousin thereof.
Ball powder made by GD in St. Marks, suspiciously similar load data between Hodgy and Alliant...

My data with the same bullet, 54.5 grains of CFE223, same COAL, but a Winchester case averaged 2828fps over six shots that I recorded. I'm of the mind right now, they are not the same.

Established my start load for the 180 Nosler at 48 grains of 2000MR. Put a few over the MS and they average a mild 2469 ft/sec. A set of loads will go to the range on monday.

Paul, keep the results coming even though you are not getting much encouragement!

no problem.

09/09/13 (M700 Classic 8x57mm)
175 grain Sierra/Pro-2000MR
Threw the 53 grain and 54 grain back up on the bench. 53 grain load shot tight again. The 54 grain shot tighter. Velocities remained around the same as last outing.



180 grain Nosler BT/Pro-2000MR
49 grains: 2492 ft/sec
50 grains: 2533 ft/sec
51 grains: 2586 ft/sec
52 grains: 2647 ft/sec

Not bad I'll toy with 'em some more. No overt pressure signs in my rifle.

54g looks good. I wouldn't have thought those speeds would be over pressure.

I like the stock on that rifle.

I believe there's more in the boiler room on both the 175 and 180. I could probably slowly run it up until I did get some pressure signs, but I reached the target velocity I was shooting for, and two decent loads in the 175. I did have 53.5 grain sets loaded, but didnt get to'em. So, as they say, "Good enough for Govmint work." This powder is not even in Quickload.

The stock is a B&C Alaskan TI

I have an old Mauser built in 1897 to the x57 action length that was nicely sporterised many years ago. Someone chambered it in 308. It was previously my father's rifle and I have been shooting it in this form since the early 80s.

I am going to rebarrel it in 8x57 but keep the loads mild because of the age of the action. I am thinking 150g Hornadys around 2700 fps and maybe the 175-180s around 2500 odd.

This powder is available here so it will be one for me to try.

Only shot the 51, 51.5, and 52 grain loads today with the Nosler 180.

One more trip the week of the 30 September till the seasons are over. All hunting, no ranging. More work with the 180 Noslers, 150 Sierras, and 185 Remingtons loaded with 2000MR.

Those Remmys are getting hard to find. Managed to locate 240 or so and they're on the way.

Got out today. Intermittent rain and breeze. Conditions weren't ideal, but hey, damn the torpedoes.

This was the best group out of the 150 grain Sierra's. 55 grains was the max I loaded to. There's more in the boiler room.





185 grain Remingtons not to bad. Next time out I'll bump to 52 grains. Only two shots for the 50 grain load. Must be a bad CCI primer.



I stretched the 180gr Noslers to 52.5gr. Velocity is estimated. Not too bad and the wind/rain cooperated when I shot these.



A five shot with 52 grains and four shot with 51 grains. Wind and rain decided to kick up.

Good info here. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks. I'll take a two month break for Deer/Elk, then do some more work with it in December.

More work with Pro-2000mr

170gr SST: Needs more work. Bullets are seated .076 off the lands. I'll push them out next trip to 3.125.


The unsexy 170gr Hornady RN. The group in the lower right is an IMR4064 load.



MISC from an earlier range trip.

8x57mm (M70)
BULLET:150 HRN
CASE: NOSLER
POWDER: P-2000MR
PRIMER: CCI200
COAL: 2.975

55gr 2710 .79"
56gr 2791 1.3"
57gr 2832 1.8"
58gr 2890

Quick freezing trip to the range for more 2000mr shenanigans with the M70. I was too lazy to change to the 3-9x Nikon, so I left the 1.5-5x Leupold on it. On 5x the crosshairs blotted out the orange dots at 100yds.