Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR vs Hodgdon LeverEvolution

[vonb]

In my search for a .223 powder (for heavies) with less compression than Varget and XBR 8208, I started becoming interested in LeverEvolution (LE). Currently, Hodgdon does not offer any load data for LE. Therefore, I wanted to see if something was similar and I came across 2000-MR. I looked up both in the National Center for Forensics DB and they look awfully close:

Alliant 2000-MR (made in the US - Federal)

Hodgdon LeverEvolution (made in the US - St. Marks)

While different manufacturers, they look pretty darn close. I don't understand why Hodgdon doesn't offer load data for LE in .223.

 

[std7mag]

I'm using the Alliant PP2000MR in my wife's Savage 110FP. 24" heavy varmint barrel with 1:9 twist.
I've been shooting the 69gr Sierra MatchKing, Tipped MatchKing and the 70gr Nosler RDF.
I still haven't run it over the chrono.

I also use PP2000MR in my 7mm-08AI with 140gr Berger VLD.
Velocity of 2,832fps.
But the kicker is ES-6, SD-2.

 

[JPB3]

Lever works well with the heavy bullets in .223. My powder of choice

 

[padom]

Im shooting 77smk and 77tmk "pulls" with 26.4gr PP2000MR loading on my dedicated 5.56 automated Dillon 1050.. Im using it with excellent accuracy out of my 20" Krieger AR with factory primed ACC brass..

Just a stupid cheap precision practice load, meters amazing on my Dillon and great accuracy.


I just installed a new WOA 20" Krieger 1-7.7 barrel and these are the first rounds down the barrel...5 shot groups at 100yds.

https://imgur.com/a/OKQjT6M

 

[lb-ft]

Lever is great in both 223 and 308. Beware though, I got incredibly hard carbon unlike anything else.

 

[450BM]

I like 2000 MR. Works well in 223 with Sierra 69gr and found a good load for 243, 70 gr bullet I believe.

 

[DocBII]

vonb,

I've used N-550 as a proxy for 2000MR in programs such as QuickLoad for heavies in the .223 Remington. Alliant says they cannot provide powder profiles for the 2000 and 4000 powders since someone else makes them for Alliant.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[LBEdgin]

In my search for a .223 powder (for heavies) with less compression than Varget and XBR 8208, I started becoming interested in LeverEvolution (LE). Currently, Hodgdon does not offer any load data for LE. Therefore, I wanted to see if something was similar and I came across 2000-MR. I looked up both in the National Center for Forensics DB and they look awfully close:

Alliant 2000-MR (made in the US - Federal)

Hodgdon LeverEvolution (made in the US - St. Marks)

While different manufacturers, they look pretty darn close. I don't understand why Hodgdon doesn't offer load data for LE in .223.

I found some very good loads with RL15.5 & AR Comp, in both the 85.5gr Bergers as well as the 80.5gr full bores and 80 VLD.

 

[Doom]

2000-MR is most likely a St Mark's powder. It is slow but will likely produce excellent velocity in 223 with heavy bullets but be aware that if you shooting it in a shorter barrel ( 20" and less) it will likely produce a lot of muzzle flash and unburnt powder.

 

[Laurie]

While different manufacturers, they look pretty darn close.

They're not. Both are made by General Dynamics St. Marks Powder Co. in Florida.

 

[JPB3]

Laurie, what are your favored powders for 70-80 grain bullets in the .223 ?

 

[SeabeeKen]

My son shoots lever in his grendel. It shoots bugholes but when the temperature rises it shows.

 

[vonb]

I just finished testing LeverEvolution in a 20" Tikka .223 with Sierra 77 gr Tipped Matchkings in LC '21 brass. This powder did extremely well in producing better velocity and groups over IMR XBR 8208. LE velocities were pretty good. 24.8 gr was giving me 2,658 fps while 26.0 gr was giving me 2,791 fps. Based on GRT, I'm figuring that's pretty much max.

Comparatively, 23.5 gr of IMR XBR 8208 was giving me 2,685 fps. All testing was at 78 degrees F.

I'm curious as to why Hodgdon hasn't provided load data for LE in .223.

 

[Laurie]

Laurie, what are your favored powders for 70-80 grain bullets in the .223 ?

https://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=3811

https://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=3856

https://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=3934

https://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=3956

https://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=4151

Personally, I prefer Lovex S062 (Shooters World Precision); Alliant Re15; Norma 202; Alliant AR-Comp; Viht N140 (and maybe 540, but I worry about barrel wear with this one); IMR-4166 (good groups but poor MVs).

And ............ if we could still get VarGet and H4895 here, they'd be near the top of my wish list.

I've still to try H4895/VarGet equivalent ball powders bar Winchester StaBALL Match. 'match' worked reasonably well in 223/77 but poorly in 308/175. It meters superbly though - a big plus for many.

Note quoted loads are for a long-freebore chamber / 2.4-inch 77gn SMK COAL and top loads are 0.7-1gn higher than for a standard 223 Rem SAAMI chamber.

 

[mic2377]

2000 MR is a good powder for generating high velocities with heavier bullets. It is more consistent than many ball powders, but still not as good as many extruded powders.

I think the best way to describe it as a slightly more temp stable RL-15 made into a dense, heavy for volume ball powder. You shouldn't run into compression issues with it.

I have only ever used LVR for plinking loads with 55 gr. It worked fine for that.