Accurate Arms 2520

[Fishjager]

I read that they call this the Camp Perry Powder. It is said that the powder is good for service rifles. I read that it is good for 308. My question is how is it really for the 223? Nobody that I have talked to seems to have used it. I am curious before I step up to the plate and buy some. I shoot mainly 75 BTHP's and 77 BTHP's. I would like to hear from those who have actually used it. Thanks Fish.

 

[jelenko]

24.5 gr in a 24" barrel with H75's was an accurate load. A little over 2800fps.

It'll produce nice groups for 69 thru 77 grain bullets.
The only knock on it is temp sensitivity.
A high pressure but not over pressure load developed at 30* will probably be too hot at 90*.
I just back off the charge as the temp goes up.

 

[MasterYoda]

Great powder for 69gr and up bullets in 223. Works awesome in a powder thrower also.

 

[WV Hitman]

JD Jones of SSK developed most of his propriatory rounds with 2520- 6.5 JDJ, .309 JDJ, .338 JDJ.
The .309 in a Contender is about exactly the same performance/velocity as the .308. I've used mine for 40+ years. Killed several hundred deer out to 400 yards with it using 150, 165 BTs, PTs, 168 TSX. These deer rarely moved. The powder flows easily thru a measure, and burns very cleanly. You will have no problems with this in your .308.

 

[Fishjager]

JD Jones of SSK developed most of his propriatory rounds with 2520- 6.5 JDJ, .309 JDJ, .338 JDJ.
The .309 in a Contender is about exactly the same performance/velocity as the .308. I've used mine for 40+ years. Killed several hundred deer out to 400 yards with it using 150, 165 BTs, PTs, 168 TSX. These deer rarely moved. The powder flows easily thru a measure, and burns very cleanly. You will have no problems with this in your .308.

I'm loading it in a 223 though.

 

[WV Hitman]

Sorry, my brain was asleep. I've never used it i .223.
I have a AA reloading guide. The largest bullet it has data for are 69 gr. Sier. HPBT: Start 23.1 gr.(2800 fps) Max. 25.7 gr.(3044 fps) There's also a note that using military cases reduce charge by 8-12%

 

[jelenko]

using military cases reduce charge by 8-12%

This does not apply to 223. LC brass often has the same or more capacity Rem or Win cases. Certainly more capacity than Lapua, Starline, Norma, Nosler.

It was true for 308 - LC brass did back then have less capacity.

 

[shoot4fun]

As far as Camp Perry and/or service rifle I hav e no idea.
I will say I used it in a 223 Ackley Improved and the results were astounding.
Velocity with 80 grain bullets in a 22' barrel topped velocity of my straight 223 with 26' barrel and same bullet by over 100FPS. Accuracy also exceeded anything I shot in 223.

 

[jpjulian]

I've used 2520 in .223 but with 55 grain Noslers and VMax loads. 26 grains or so gives me 3,200 fps or so in my Rem700. Mild pressure with the 55's. Have not tried it with 77's. I used RL15 for 20 odd years in my service rifles.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I find it similar to ramshot tac but i get better accuracy in several rifles with 2520

 

[rfwind]

AA2520 is very accurate in my Winchester HBV .308 with 155 SMK’s

 

[Liven The Dream]

Take the Time Machine back to 90's "Camp Perry 2520".

 

[Doom]

Accurate used several different suppliers for 2520 over the years. Alluding to service rifles was a reference to the burn rate for M1/M14 service rifles which have a specific need for powders with burn rates no slower than IMR 4320. It was/is good for the 30-06 and 308. It is a temperature sensitive ball/spherical powder currently supplied by St. Marks Powder. Powders in its burn rate range work with heavier bullets in 223/5.56x45 (69gn and greater).

 

[Park ranger]

I use it in 223 and my 6 arc. 24.5 grains for 223 with 77’s . 28.7 with 6 arc and 199’s. Both gas guns.

 

[DCC83501]

24.8 gr of Accurate 2520 under a 77 gr SMK produces absolutely best results in .223/556.

 

[Fishjager]

Well guys I guess I am just slow or something. I have tried this powder with a Hornady 75 BTHP and had bad results. Everything was trimmed to spec, no crimp, and sized to 2.26. The groups were about 1.5 inch to 2 inches. I started just like Hornady said in their manual 22.1 up to 24.6 grains. No luck and can actually say I am frustrated with it. I was using a White Oak Predator Upper 1:8 twist, and a Remington 700 SPS with 1:8 twist. I got a little improvement with the Remington of just about an inch. I even tried American Eagle Factory 55 grain loaded factory to see if my gun was screwed up? No it wasn't. In fact I was sub-moa out of the white oak with that stuff. So I am totally baffled with this powder. By the way, LC virgin brass from Midway.................................? Anybody with a fantastic load care to share?

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Back during my 308 M1A and Rem 40x/700 match days(80s early 90s), I bought it by the 8 pound jugs. Shot Sierra 150s and 168s in LC Match cases. It always shot better than I could.

Frank

 

[Mark611]

I don't have any loads for the 223/5.56 rounds, but I have tried this powder in several calibers like the 6.5Grendel AR platform and 308win service rifles, I personally have not had much luck using this powder in rifles, but I have had some good accuracy in my Zastava M77 PAP in 308win, with 45gns under a 150gn Seirra FMJ Game Kings,

 

[enrique]

Try some sierra 77gr or berger 80 Seated mag length or longer if throat permits and/or can single feed. I’ve had a couple of bad lots with hornady bullets (I literally threw them away). I mostly use hornady for varmints and steel (cheaper) but use berger and sierra for accuracy (mostly berger).

 

[jelenko]

Well guys I guess I am just slow or something. I have tried this powder with a Hornady 75 BTHP and had bad results. Everything was trimmed to spec, no crimp, and sized to 2.26. The groups were about 1.5 inch to 2 inches. I started just like Hornady said in their manual 22.1 up to 24.6 grains. No luck and can actually say I am frustrated with it. I was using a White Oak Predator Upper 1:8 twist, and a Remington 700 SPS with 1:8 twist. I got a little improvement with the Remington of just about an inch. I even tried American Eagle Factory 55 grain loaded factory to see if my gun was screwed up? No it wasn't. In fact I was sub-moa out of the white oak with that stuff. So I am totally baffled with this powder. By the way, LC virgin brass from Midway.................................? Anybody with a fantastic load care to share?

As enrique mentioned, I also had a couple boxes of H75s that didnt' shoot well. After talking with Hornady tech, they asked for 50 bullets so they could do accuracy testing. In both instances, Hornady paid for shipping back to them and replaced the the boxes [both were the 4,000 count boxes].
If you contact Hornady and they do accuracy testing on the bullets you've got, please post the results here.

I know many people use various Hornady bullets for competition but, based on my experience, I've decided to not use them. The group sizes you found are the same that I had with those two problem boxes.