300 BLK/powder woes

[Walkalong]

My first batch of 147 Gr plinkers were pulled bullets from F&S reloading. ($60 per 500) I used AA #9 and they actually shot pretty well. I actually had one premium bullet I tried that shot worse at 100 yards. I used 500 brass I bought from Matt over at cast bullets.

I only had a handful of that batch left, so it was time to load up the 500 blemish 150 Gr FMJ-BT bullets I bought from Midway a few months ago. ($74 per 500. These are beautiful and very consistent. Really nice. I'll be using LC08 .223 cases I converted to 300 BLK.

I have no more AA #9. I did work up a plinker load (1850 to 1875+ FPS) with more than one powder, so I could use N-110, N120, 2400, or 1680. I want to save the 1680 because my .22 Hornet loves it. I don't want to waste N110 on plinker ammo with FMJ bullets, even though I do have enough to load 500 300 BLK. N120 did not work out in the Hornet, so I could use it, but I don't have enough of it to load 500 300 BLK. I have some Lil Gun, but not much. I have some 5744, but not much. I have some Enforcer, as I have been working up loads with premium bullets with it, but not enough of it. I have some Blue Dot, and it may work, and I have enough, but I have not tried it at all, so it's out, for now.

So, 2400 it is, and now I am out of 2400 as well.

The lack of powder availability really bites. I keep checking bds's thread and browsing the various sellers. I found some one pounders of AA #9, but I am hoping the powder guy is at the gun show in January. If not, I'll have no choice but to order something one of these days. I really want to find a four pounder of 2400. I hesitated on an 8 pounder of AA #9 because I didn't really want to buy that much, and of course the next morning it was gone.

I guess the good news is at least I have something. This 500 will hold me for awhile, and I have other things to shoot. Could be worse.

 

[bluetopper]

Natchez has #9 powder on sale right now.

 

[Walkalong]

They won't ship to Alabama.

I have seen one pounders elsewhere, and have come close to ordering three or four, but I really want to order more than four pounds of powder, and there just isn't much available right now.

 

[cfullgraf]

The main powder vendor at the Knoxville gun shows has been steadily improving his inventories over the last few months. I do not remember if he had AA#9 but he had ample supplies of AA2230 and AA1680.

No AA2520, which I am looking for. (my prairie dog partner's load uses that, if we cannot find it, we may have to change powders)

Another vendor had a fair amount of 700X including a large jug although he was proud of his powder.

It seems things are getting better.

 

[grubbylabs]

Yes it does seem that things are slowly becoming for hit than miss but they their are still quite a few gaps.

 

[smokey1]

I find AA1680 best for AR 300BLK apps including w/suppressor applications.
My go to powder vendors are power valley and Grafs.
They move a lot of volume so they tend to get it in quicker, but sell out fast.
Cabelas in my neck of the woods has been a dud regarding reloading components since sandy..
I like using the local vendors when possible as I don't like paying shipping hazmat fees for a single pound or two of powder.

 

[Krogen]

I've had good luck with IMR4227 in my 300 BLK. 3rd Generation has 8 lb jugs at this writing.

 

[mstreddy]

Walk,
I have had good luck with the 150 gr plinkers and IMR4227 as well. I haven't gotten around to testing the 2400 yet. And, I haven't found any of the AA1680. Like you, I'd rather place a large order when buying powder to spread out the Hazmat. I ordered 16#s of 4227 from PV last month. So, I guess I'm sticking with it for a while.
EM

 

[Potatohead]

Walkalong,
I don't know where you are in Alabama but if you are far enough North to reach out and touch Nashville, I know a place where you will not be disappointed. They have inane amounts of powders, shelves and shelves of it. WELL worth the time for me to go (100 miles). I'm under the impression you're far south though.

 

[SuedePflow]

I've been checking all local shelves for some H110 for months now. And nothing...

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I really would like to get some AA1680 but for 300Blk I haveused

H110 really couldn't find an accurate load with many different bullets some premium.
H4227 Good usage
AA5744 Great great for subsonic

Walkalong what do you think about 2400 how does it perform?

 

[Walkalong]

I have had good luck with it with a couple of bullets. It will not get top velocities. Enforcer will get 200 plus more FPS with the 110 to 155 Gr I have tried.

It's great for 147 Gr plinker loads with a nice short recoil impulse getting a respectable 1875 FPS with the right charge. So was AA #9.

I shot some really good groups with it and the 110 Gr V Max. I didn't do a lot of accuracy testing with it before I started fooling with 1680, and then Enforcer.

 

[SuedePflow]

Walkalong, do you load any subsonic rounds? If so, which bullet and powder combo are you seeing best results from?

 

[cfullgraf]

I really would like to get some AA1680 but for 300Blk I haveused

H110 really couldn't find an accurate load with many different bullets some premium.
H4227 Good usage
AA5744 Great great for subsonic

Walkalong what do you think about 2400 how does it perform?

I have tried a pound of 2400 in the 300 BLK and was pleased with the results with 110 to 125 grain bullets. I will get another pound when I see one but I am heavily invested in H110/W296 at the moment.

I prefer AA1680 with 150-155 grain bullets versus H110/W296.

That is not to say other powders don't work well in the 300 BLK. I am just not as adventurous as some at times.

 

[Dr. A]

A lot of experimenters over on the cast boolit forum have moved into slower powders. Here is an example of one person going to H355.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...ht-a-300-blk-carbine-which-molds-should-I-buy

That is with a 170 gr. cast

 

[Walkalong]

Walkalong, do you load any subsonic rounds?

I have not tried any sub sonic yet. I intend to one day, but I am still having fun playing with the super sonic stuff.

I believe I have gotten away from 1680 in favor of Enforcer, although the verdict isn't in just yet. I think I have found the sweet spot for Enforcer and 123 to 125 Gr bullets in my barrel though. Seems to be in the 2215 to 2225 FPS area. Plus or minus a bit. I pushed the 125 SST to 2250ish and it opened up. I did go up .2 though. I am going to back off .1 and try again. The 123 Gr Z Max (.310) also liked the 2225ish range. The 110s like a little more speed, but I haven't fine tuned it.

So, in retrospect, 2400 is good for a slower speeds, and Enforcer is good for a higher velocity, but both can shoot real well with 110 to 125 Gr bullets.

 

[yamahawarrior89]

From grafs, you can use alliant 300mp, accurate #9, imr 4759 for 300 blk.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3512

 

[yamahawarrior89]

From this page you can use 4759 or 4198 either from hodgdon or imr.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....ept2=SMOKELESS+POWDER&dept3=&sortItem=INSTOCK

 

[orionengnr]

Good info.
I am just about to buy a .300BLK upper, and will be loading for it.
Sure looks like some of the powders that I already own for 10mm or similar will work for .300BLK (2400, AA9, maybe W296/H110). Unfortunately, I only have one pound of each.
So, what about 800X or Longshot?

 

[LiveLife]

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51207

latest Guns & Ammo Magazine (December 2013), Pg. 28, "Propellant Powerhouse" written by Layne Simpson, says "W296, H110 and Alliant's Power Pro 300-MP are identical spherical magnum revolver propellants made at the same facility."

Walkalong, you may have found another powder to load your .300 BLK.

 

[hentown]

There are some AA2200, .300 Blackout recipes out there. I haven't tried it yet. I have 24# of #9 and about 16# of 1680 that I'm going to use for .300 Blck shooting.

My first batch of 168gr. hollow point bullets, loaded with 1680 @ a little over 1900fps are scary-accurate.

 

[Walkalong]

I have some 168s, but have not tried them yet. I have been curious if they would shoot well in it.

 

[Krogen]

168 gr slugs are accurate in my CMMG upper, but functioning is "iffy." It will not cycle with anything heavier. It functions well with 150 gr and lighter. Supposedly a can is necessary for it to function with heavy-bullet, subsonic loads. YMMV. . . .

 

[cfullgraf]

Supposedly a can is necessary for it to function with heavy-bullet, subsonic loads. YMMV. . . .

That is what i have heard as well. My 16" barrel 300 BLK will not cycle anything heavier than 200 grains, I have not tried 165-175 grain bullets and I do not have a suppressor.

If I remember, it would eject the case but not pick up the next one.

The 245 grain MBC cast bullet is interesting and hits with a thump.

 

[Walkalong]

168 gr slugs are accurate in my CMMG upper, but functioning is "iffy."

What weight buffer?