Powder Advice for 30BR

[ChrisNam]

I chambered a 30 BR on a 22” Palma 1:13 twist barrel and got satisfactory velocity,specific speed unknown) and accuracy with Norma N200. I have now run out of Norma and there is now chance that I can get my hands on any other powder than locally produced Somchem powder.

I know that the ideal powder for the 30 BR is IMR4198, H4198 and VihtaVuori N120, but there is no way I can lay my hands on such powders or on similar powders.

I’ve asked Somchem’s advice, but they have no knowledge of the 30 BR and simply appears unable to help me with suggested loads.

Somchem’s fastest burning rifle powder is S321, a ball powder with the same burning rate as AA2230 and Norma N201 – slower than IMR4198, H4198 and VihtaVuori N120, but faster than H322 and Hercules REL7.

I’ve got no experience with ball powders and was always under the impression that it is a military type powder. Is ball powders adequate for benchrest accuracy?

Have anyone used AA2230 or Norma N201 and if so, what are the suggested loads, velocities and accuracy?

Somchem’s next powder is S335, an extruded powder with a burning rate equal to IMR3031, AA2460 and slightly faster than H355 and VihtaVuori N133. I however only get about 2400 – 2600 fps with 34gr behind the Berger 125gr bullet with very poor accuracy.

Somchem’s slowest pistol powder is S265, an extruded powder with a burning rate equal to IMR4227, H4227 and Hercules 2400. I do not know how appropriate pistol powders will be.

Can anyone help me with a suggested load with S321,AA2230, N201) or possibly S265,IMR4227,H4227,H2400) or perhaps a combination load of S321 and S265,AA2230, N201 AND IMR4227,H4227,H2400).

 

[Eddie Harren]

Chris I think you must mean VVN130 not 120.

 

[expiper]

HI Cris....I would try the s-321 ...dont be concerned because it is a ball powder.....and if it is not fast enough...you might belnd some of that powder companys slowest "ball" pistol powder with it to speed it up a lil'....I never blend stick powders with ball powder or mix different manufactures powders....but if they are both ball powders from the same manufacture they "should" blend safely....just add a little at first to just enough to load 10-12 ctgs....,,dont mess up several pounds of it till you get a ratio that is "just rite"!!))....there will be several nay sayers that have never blended powder because and they have no idea how much of it goes on in the competitive world....and they automaticly think of blending BULLSEYE with 4831..the vast majority of blending is with or among powder types that are very similar in the first place,,to get the exact burn rate that is required for a tune in a competitive BENCHREST rifle,,just be VERY cautious and check your math and meausre carefully and keep records...just 10gr of faster powder can make a big change in 100 gr of powder that is on the edge of being just rite....there is a lot of blending going on in the benchrest community to achieve 100% powder loading density and correct velocity in PPC's amd BR's ...people are trying to re-duplicate some out of production and un-available,un-obtanium as they say..)or discontinued powders .
Proceed with caution....while blending....this is one of those uncharted paths that many find necessary to their goal of ultimate accuracy.....there is another seldom trod area of "reduced" loads that are to be aproached with caution....some have made the mistake of using reduced powder charges of "slow" burning powders and have experienced the phenomona of "pressure excursion" or actual destruction of the weapon and injury to the shooter.....so as you know ...proceed with caution and let us know if you find a blend that gives the velocity and accuracy you are striving for....Roger ...
PS e-mail me for more info.....

 

[ChrisNam]

DocEd

Somchem's booklet equates VV N120 with IMR 4198, H 4198, AA 1680 and Norma N200, but contains no reference to VV N130. Somchem may have made a mistake refering to VV N120, I'm not sure. I see that some guys use VV N130, but I can see no-one using VV N120.

Can you perhaps give me the names of other powders with the same burning rate as VV N130 so that I can compare it with Somchem.

Roger,Expiper)

Thank you very much for all your advice on all my various problems.

I'll first try the S 321 and if not satisfied, I will mix S 265 and S 335 first,S 321 is a ball powder, while S 265 and S 335 are extracted powders).

I think I'll then try 70% S 335,IMR3031, AA2460) and 30% S 265,IMR4227, H4227 and Hercules 2400)and pull the trigger with a wire while getting the velocity.

Do I mix the powders through or should I use the one powder at the bottom of the cartridge and the other on top of that,I've read something like trhat a long time ago).

 

[expiper]

HI Cris....
When mixing/blending powders I usually put the ingredients in a powder can and put the lid on and roll it about and thouroughly mix the contents....most powder cans will hold 1.5 lb easily...so you can blend a pound or more with lota room to roll it about...or just a few oz...if making a small batch....the big batches we mix in 8lb kegs ....just roll it aruond like a big fat girl firend!!!!! Lotsaa sweet smellin stuff and real explosive..hhaha........Just use common sense and no smoking,sparks, open flames,etc...
I have never tried to put powder in a ctg. in layers...and then attempt to fire. it....it seem like it would mix just the act of moving the ctg. around and inserting it in the gun .....some folks think it sepearates ...but I have powder that I keep and transport all the time in jug and one pounder cans ...it just gets better!!!!
When you mix ...use small lots ..,,enough for a dozen or so rounds...find your max load...load a few ...see if it wants to group....if it isnt fast enough just up the ratio .......hope this helps...Roger

 

[ChrisNam]

1. Has anyone tried MR4227, H4227 or Hercules 2400 in the 30 BR?

2. Can MR4227, H4227 or Hercules 2400 be mixed with a slower rifle powder to equate IMR 4198 or H 4198 and if so, what powder?

I've heard wonderful things about the Quickload program. Can someone perhaps help me to run the stats.

I will really appreciate the help.

 

[Aussie_bob]

Chris,
Go to this site and print out the equivalents page. It will give you a much better guide as ADI make a lot of the Hodgdon Powders.
If you can get close to the Ar2207/H4198 burn rate you will be good to go.


Thanks Patrick you could have posted the link.
http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/equivalents.asp

 

[Ogre6br]

bob you forgot the link
P

 

[Aussie_bob]

I Posted the link back in the other post.
While i am here i just thought i would let you know i shot my 30BR at 700 yards today F Class and am shooting scores of 90 out of a possible 100 first time at 700 yards. I used 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips 32.7gr Ar2207/H4198 Was going to try the 115gr Flat base too but forgot to take them.

 

[ChrisNam]

I saw in another post that Al Nyhus has done a lot of load development with H 4227 for his 30 BR.

I've mailed Al and hopefuly he will be able to help me.

Has anyone else experimented with H 4227, IMR 4227, or AR 2205,or something similar)?

 

[Ogre6br]

how much elevation are you winding on for a 700 Y zero from a 100 Y zero??

Do you have figures out to 1000 yet??
Are you goingto be drinking someone elses beer ??

later
p

 

[Aussie_bob]

For 700yards I have come up 19.5 inches by the knob on my Bausch & Lomb 36X scope now i am not sure if the increments on there are inches or MOA. Didn`t shoot this weekend as it has been raining for a week now and is a we bit damp around the area so far have had 12 inches of rain.
We are just makeing a reamer for the 30X47L have a test barrel donated which will leave us 25 inches of barrell after rechamber it is 14 twist we want to see what velocity we can get with 150 gr projectiles.

 

[RGRobinett]

Has anyone else experimented with H 4227, IMR 4227, or AR 2205,or something similar)?
__________________
Chris


Chris, early on, following mediocre results with AA1680 and Win. 680, I used the H4227 with very pleasing results - in fact, the only reason I abandoned it was because, for workable charge weights, it's lack of bulk made for more "air-space than I cared for. My original 30BR,a Morrison 1:18" cut barrel chambered by Ronnie Long, shot three consecutive NBRSA registered 100 Yd. AGGs of less than .25 MOA: .21xx; .201xx; .23xx. Additionally, the first three IBS registered Grand AGG,100/200) scores shot using it were a pair of 500s and a 499 - all 32X or more. Looking over my notes, it seems somewhat stupid of me to give up on the H4227 simply because it did not fill the case to my expectations - it certainly performed! In that barrel, with that powder Lot, the "sweet spot" was a charge weight of 29.5 Gr. with a 112 Gr. bullet, which produced an average chronographed velocity,at 15') of 2950 FPS. I was able to get up to 3100+ a little, but that particular barrel did not "like" charges heavier than 30.0 Gr. - above that charge weight, groups became "mushy". H4227 is a powder worth a serious look. Good shootin'! R.G.

 

[Aussie_bob]

Thanks for that info Randy i might just have to have a look at that as when seating 125gr Noslers it compresses the load so with the H4227/Ar2205 i may just have the room to seat the projectile without worrying about compressing the powder may just work better with the heavier projectiles or go the otherway with BM1 which is a finer powder and meters and packs better.Looks like time to have a play again.