87 V-Max - Which Powder?

[searcher]

Going to use a high round count target barrel (1-8") 6BR for varmints. Want to see if I can get 87 V-Max to run accurately. I have tried N-140, RL15, 8208XBR, TAC, W748, LT-32 and Varget powders with poor-to-fair results. I tried a 75 V-Max which puts 'em in one ragged hole without coming apart. I'm hoping I can find a powder that this 87 favors over what I have tried. The barrel is a proven performer with many other bullets but just seems to dislike this 87 with what I have tried.

I have IMR-4064, CFE-223, IMR-4166, H4895, AA-2520 and RL-7 as a few powders on hand that other manuals suggest might work. Before loading any of these up - have any of you folks worked up a great load with the 87 V-Max with these powders? I'm not interested in other bullets or powders. Thanks!

 

[MrMajestic]

I would be all over the H4895... JMHO

 

[JEFFPPC]

Vv135

 

[mmcu]

H4895

 

[searcher]

Thanks!

 

[Bruce W]

sort the length of your 87 v max bullets from the base to ogive . H4895. Bruce

 

[comagutsa]

varget for me

 

[RussellJ]

sort the length of your 87 v max bullets from the base to ogive . H4895. Bruce

+1 what Bruce W. said! Sort the bullets.

 

[Ccrider]

Varget. And my savage shoots bugholes with them. I will shoot you a pm with the load.

 

[Ccrider]

Also, I have gotten great results with RL15.

 

[searcher]

I appreciate the input, guys. To be clear - I have already run the full ladder on RL15, Varget and the other powders noted as tried. I have run them at different depths and jammed and I know full well what they are capable of in my rifle. What I want to try now are the second group of powders listed and hear of any input related to those powders. Regarding weighing or measuring bullets, I checked the measurement - as well as weight differential. That is not the problem with these bullets. Like most of you guys - I too have a lot of barrels that love the powders I've tried - this one just isn't one of them, for sure. I can stay happy with the 75 Vmax that puts them in a small hole - but I really wanted the higher BC of the 87. Seeing I did get two nods to the 4895 - that will be my first try. Thanks, guys.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I was practicing bipod shooting on Sunday. Fire forming 6bra cases with Sierra 85 hpbt that I plan on shooting at pdogs. Did a load workup with AR COMP. 31.3 was the winner at 20 jump. 3185 fps. Spreads were single digits. I have a few more pictures from that board that look the same. How in the world people continue to turn their nose up at this amazing powder has me scratching my head. More for me I suppose!

 

[alleycat]

I use Varget with 105's but I have two lbs. of 8208 that I haven't used in anything yet but plan on trying it with the 87gr. V Max's.Any thoughts on what results I might expect outta a Brux 1-8,28" barrel.I know from what others say Varget would work but I want to save my small supply.BTW the 87's are for PD's not long range target/match.

 

[Texas10]

If shooting PD's I'd be tempted to use a powder with a copper fouling reducer, just so I didn't have to stop and clean about the time the PD's are putting together a planned blitz on your position.

 

[RAG]

Going to use a high round count target barrel (1-8") 6BR for varmints. Want to see if I can get 87 V-Max to run accurately. I have tried N-140, RL15, 8208XBR, TAC, W748, LT-32 and Varget powders with poor-to-fair results. I tried a 75 V-Max which puts 'em in one ragged hole without coming apart. I'm hoping I can find a powder that this 87 favors over what I have tried. The barrel is a proven performer with many other bullets but just seems to dislike this 87 with what I have tried.

I have IMR-4064, CFE-223, IMR-4166, H4895, AA-2520 and RL-7 as a few powders on hand that other manuals suggest might work. Before loading any of these up - have any of you folks worked up a great load with the 87 V-Max with these powders? I'm not interested in other bullets or powders. Thanks!

For varmints, my vote is AA2520...by a mile. Cooler burning powder for longer barrel life than most of the others you listed, and throws so consistent you don't need to weigh charges like you do with N140, Rl15, Varget, Etc.,. In velocity tests, I ran my 6 Dasher to 3,420FPS without any signs of pressure with 2520 and the 87 Vmax...I'm pretty sure that would not be surpassed by those other powders.

 

[rogina]

For varmints, my vote is AA2520...by a mile. Cooler burning powder for longer barrel life than most of the others you listed, and throws so consistent you don't need to weigh charges like you do with N140, Rl15, Varget, Etc.,. In velocity tests, I ran my 6 Dasher to 3,420FPS without any signs of pressure with 2520 and the 87 Vmax...I'm pretty sure that would not be surpassed by those other powders.

I just fireformed some 6 dasher brass with 31 grains of aa2520 and 87 vmax, 450 primers. I shot 50 p dogs out to 350 yards. They opened up good and shot in the teens. I have no idea what the speed was. 8 twist 27 inches long. The bullets were 4 to 5 thousands into the lands.

 

[moorepower]

I had no luck with them, until I started jumping them a LONG way. I am not looking at my logs, but if I remember correctly .050-.060 is when they started to group, in my 6mm ARC.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I had no luck with them, until I started jumping them a LONG way. I am not looking at my logs, but if I remember correctly .050-.060 is when they started to group, in my 6mm ARC.

And to do that you better have a loooonnngggg freebore.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I just fireformed some 6 dasher brass with 31 grains of aa2520 and 87 vmax, 450 primers. I shot 50 p dogs out to 350 yards. They opened up good and shot in the teens. I have no idea what the speed was. 8 twist 27 inches long. The bullets were 4 to 5 thousands into the lands.

You must have a different batch than me. Mine shoot about .75".

 

[AckleymanII]

6 XC with .050 freebore should be excellent with the 87 V max! AA2700 would be my powder of choice with a large primer.

I am going to be working with RAG's load in one of Brad's 8T, 6 BRA's shortly with small primers, lucky I just found a brick of CCI 450's.