Anyone using 2230?

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Tony Sopranno

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Anyone using 2230?

How's it burn? (clean, dirty, hot, etc.) :)

The manual says somewhere between 22.1 gr and 23.8 gr for .223 50-52 gr bullets (all approx. here). And that seems to be a very small range to me. I've always found a nice spot somewhere in the upper middle to be the best. But I'm curious why the range is so thin compared to other powders.

Mostly, in the past I've use 335 and TAC (which seem similar to me, though 335 is cleaner and all around better). I'm really not a big fan of Varget (mainly price) - and I really don't like crushing that powder volume into a small cartridge space, though less than 24 gr loads are very accurate, I've found. Still the price is a determining factor.

So what's the general verdict on 2230? I just bought a couple of pounds. :fire:
 
I use 2230 and H335 interchangeably with any 55 gr. in 223. I started using 2230 when it was labeled MR-223. For my use, I use 25.0 gr. of 2230 or H335 with any 55 gr. bullet. Works for me, no pressure signs and easy extraction and good accuracy.
 
I use 2230 and H335 interchangeably with any 55 gr. in 223. I started using 2230 when it was labeled MR-223. For my use, I use 25.0 gr. of 2230 or H335 with any 55 gr. bullet. Works for me, no pressure signs and easy extraction and good accuracy.
Click to expand...

+1 exactly - right down to the same charge and bullet weight.
 
I've used 2230 for over 20 years in 223 and 308. One of the reasons for the small range is being it's a ball powder it's subject to Secondary Explosion Effect (SEE). Ball powders can wind up detonating rather than burning if reduced loads are used. WW and other powder manufacturers warn against going below the bottom load with ball powder. Ballisticians are not sure why this happens but there are several theories around. I've seen it happen when someone used a lighter load of 2230 in a 270. Fortunately the gun or shooter was not damaged.
 
Tony, did you get your load data from Paulie Walnuts? Uncle Junior? Christopher? Johnny Sack? Furio? I'm looking at the Accurate Reloaders Guide 2005 and it lists the following load for .223:

Speer 50gr TNT Bullet
22.5-25.0gr AA-2230
Rem Case
Rem 7 1/2 Primer
OAL 2.235
Velocity 2882-3275

My personal favorite load for my Ruger-77V is:

Sierra 52gr HPBT Match Bullet
23.5gr AA-2230
WSR Primer
Rem Case
COL 2.25

YMMV. Good luck.
 
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Tony, did you get your load data from Paulie Walnuts? Uncle Junior? Christopher? Johnny Sack? Furio? I'm looking at the Accurate Reloaders Guide 2005 and it lists the following load for .223:
Click to expand...
(all approx. here)
Click to expand...
downloaded from Accurate, edition 3.2.2.

I did mean approx range, not exact powder measurements. :banghead:

Now... waddya know... Pauly Walnuts thinks he oughta come pay you a little visit. I said, "waddya gonna do! ...Forgedaboutit...!" :neener:
 
Tony, if you wanna settle this beef, meet me at the "Bing later today. Come heavy.:neener:
 
Tony, if you wanna settle this beef, meet me at the "Bing later today. Come heavy.
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Pauly's a real hot head, I told 'em it's just business. He ain't what ya call the brightest bulb on the string, if ya know what I mean. He wouldn't know where the sidewalk was if he fell on it.

Didn't ya hear about the "Bing?" After Silvio Dante got whacked, it's under new management - the gov. owns it now. Wadya gonna do?

You must be from outta town. You known Sal "Lefty Two-Guns" Reiggio..? He wants a "sit-down." :uhoh:
 
Had my best group Friday with AA2230 and 52gr Sierra. (.50in @ 100yards)

I also had great groups and velocity with 36gr Barnes Varmint Grenades up to 69gr SMK and 75gr Hornady BTHP.

It's my "go to" powder for .223. Measures great and it is cheap.
 
ForneyRider:
Had my best group Friday with AA2230 and 52gr Sierra. (.50in @ 100yards)

I also had great groups and velocity with 36gr Barnes Varmint Grenades up to 69gr SMK and 75gr Hornady BTHP.

It's my "go to" powder for .223. Measures great and it is cheap.
Click to expand...
Sounds good... My .223 bolt gun just loves 52 gr Hornadys and Sieras - both HP's and ballistic points. It always shoots nice groups with that weight bullet and a mid to max charge. I'm gonna like AA2230, I think. :)

How much are you putting behind those 52 gr bullets? In the past I've done well with H335 and TAC at about 23.4 - 23.8 gr of powder. I'll start lower with a new powder, but what charge is your favorite for 52gr.

I've been reading about OCW loads for .223 Remington, using W748. According to the author, with W748 powder, he says 27.1 grains for a 50 gr bullet. It seems like a lot to me. :confused:
 
I went off Lyman book and did .5gr increments, from min(23gr,2850fps) to max(25.5gr@3266fps) for AA2230. Each half grain was about 50fps increase. SD was very small.

The 24.5gr load came out to about 3110fps with R-P brass (fl-sized, match prepped), Fed 205 primer, and OAL of 2.27. I usually use Federal Gold Match primers, but it was catch as catch can for the past year. I have some Rem 7.5 to try next.

AA2230 is my first ball powder for rifle. I came from IMR and Alliant background. I went with AA2230 when I got frustrated with Varget and smaller bullets with .223. Interestingly, several told me AA2230 works well with 69gr SMK.

This was through a DPMS Panther Bull 20 with 1:9 twist. I just haven't gotten the tight groups with the 69SMK or 75gr BTHP as with the smaller bullets. I have some Sierra 60gr HP I will try as well. I will also try stuffing the bigger bullets into the lands and see what I can get.

My SD with R15 and heavier bullets is actually smallest of any combo though.
 
W748 was the powder recommended by Bill Wylde for 69gr bullet in an old Precision Shooting article. It did okay but was dirty.
 
ForneyRider:

Thanks for the info that helps a lot. I thought W748 was dirty, now I know.

And I know what you mean about Varget in small cases. It's nice to fill the brass up, but it's hard getting enough in there with Varget. I think the most I could cram in was about 25.8 gr. And it doesn't meter well at all.


My guess right now is my T3 (1:12) will settle in nicely with about 24.5 gr. of AA2230.

Thanks again... :)
 
One of my first 2230 load was 23.5 grains behind a 69 Sierra MK. Shot tiny little groups but I thought the velocity was a little low for the pressure.

I had issues with a bad lot of 2230 years ago and never went back to it. Got a really fast lot. 24 grains and a 55 grain Vmax blew primers and burnt up the tip of an AR firing pin.
 
yea, I did 24.5gr of AA2230 for about 3110fps in the 20in barrel. I run a brass catcher and they aren't too hot to deal with.
 
I guess the horse is out of the barn with AA2230, works well with smaller calibers ( i use it exclusively w/243 @ 55g), and 222/3.
Anything heavier than 55g, I have better results using slower powder.
 
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