A2520 SUPER slow lot?

[Tommie]

Recently got a 8 pounder of A2520. This particular powder is new to me. I put together a ladder test of loads in .2 grain increments ending at published max. Three loaded rounds for each powder charge weight. According to the load data the maximum charge should have delivered approximately 3950 FPS. All I got was 3620 FPS with the max charge and my barrel (which is new) is 2 inches longer than what was used in the published data so if anything my velocities should have bumped a little higher. The lighter loads weren't far behind. Since I only shot 1 of each 3-round load I pulled bullets on the unshot cartridges to verify charge weights were correct. They were spot on. Velocity was measured with a Garmin chrongraph which has never given me any reason to question its accuracy.

A discrepancy of over 300 FPS is massive. Unless the Garmin suddenly got constipated, all I can figure is an incredibly slow lot of A2520. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this with recent lots of A2520

 

[SeabeeKen]

Its awesome in my 308, shooting better than TAC. IIRC its the same powder as ramshot wild boar which isnt available here in the states

 

[Tommie]

Anyone?

 

[WyleWD]

Anyone?

Do you have another powder that is similar to the 2520? My thought is to try another powder to see if it gets closer to its "published" data. I've been unfortunate enough a couple times to find out that a new barrel is the culprit. But I agree with you that 300FPS is an eye catcher. What ever you do let us know how that turns out. Thanks. WD

 

[Tommie]

Do you have another powder that is similar to the 2520? My thought is to try another powder to see if it gets closer to its "published" data. I've been unfortunate enough a couple times to find out that a new barrel is the culprit. But I agree with you that 300FPS is an eye catcher. What ever you do let us know how that turns out. Thanks. WD

I'm putting together some loads with Varget as well as re-trying the A2520 loads again. If both read low then it's gotta be the Garmin. Will post results

 

[Jager]

Some years back I had a similar experience with A4350. I had run my ladder through Quickload and it was pretty obvious the powder was not generating the chamber pressures expected. Once I adjusted QL to match the actual results I was seeing I was able to march toward the pressures/velocities expected.

Soft lot of powder, in my case.

It's very unlikely it's your Garmin.

 

[dwizum]

Do you have a known good load in another rifle you can shoot over the Garmin, just for peace of mind to rule it out?

 

[WyleWD]

Recently got a 8 pounder of A2520. This particular powder is new to me. I put together a ladder test of loads in .2 grain increments ending at published max. Three loaded rounds for each powder charge weight. According to the load data the maximum charge should have delivered approximately 3950 FPS. All I got was 3620 FPS with the max charge and my barrel (which is new) is 2 inches longer than what was used in the published data so if anything my velocities should have bumped a little higher. The lighter loads weren't far behind. Since I only shot 1 of each 3-round load I pulled bullets on the unshot cartridges to verify charge weights were correct. They were spot on. Velocity was measured with a Garmin chrongraph which has never given me any reason to question its accuracy.

A discrepancy of over 300 FPS is massive. Unless the Garmin suddenly got constipated, all I can figure is an incredibly slow lot of A2520. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this with recent lots of A2520

Also you might check the lot number of the A2520. There was a lot number on "Recall". I found this in a search. WD

[td]Accurate 2520[/td]
[td]Lot 16 only[/td]
[td]0913192116 is the only Lot Affected[/td]

EDIT: This might be a better link..... https://hodgdonpowderco.com/warnings/

Scroll down the page as it's about halfway down.

 

[mgunderson]

What cartridge are we shooting? Did I miss that. The new barrel is important here. What is the weather like and are you shooting in colder temps?

Give us a few more details to help put this in context.

 

[6.5 forever]

I'm putting together some loads with Varget as well as re-trying the A2520 loads again. If both read low then it's gotta be the Garmin. Will post results

I would probably think it's the barrel or the powder or a combination of both. The Garmin was working before? Then that's not a problem.
Most barrels will take 100 rounds to get the speed up. Good luck.
No one has mentioned brass. My experience is new brass is slow for the first two firings.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Also you might check the lot number of the A2520. There was a lot number on "Recall". I found this in a search. WD

[td]Accurate 2520[/td]
[td]Lot 16 only[/td]
[td]0913192116 is the only Lot Affected[/td]

EDIT: This might be a better link..... https://hodgdonpowderco.com/warnings/

Scroll down the page as it's about halfway down.

I had a lb of that lot. Western sent me a check for it an aske me to dump it. I never had any issues with it though