Shooters World Match Rifle Powder?

[Mark611]

I have been searching the net for info on this powder for its temperature stability, does anybody know what how temp stable it is? I have some I have been trying and have gotten really good groups with this power, but I want a temp stable powder like the Hodgdon H series powders for my 308win builds, I have H 4895 and VARGET, but just want to know if this powder is as good as these? my barrels love the 175gn SMK"s just some basic info on my rifles, but my question is about the SWMR powder!

 

[jelenko]

My understanding is SWMR at one time was Accurate 2520 which was known as fairly sensitive to temp changes.

 

[Codyway]

With the 175's, vv n140 is worth a look

 

[Dgd6mm]

I shoot it in one of my Prarie Dog rigs. I developed the load here in North Florida during the summer. My node is 1 grain wide. It was very repeatable and no issues out to 700 yards and very accurate. I've used it 3 years now in Wyoming popping pdogs out almost 600 yards. Our pdog trip is over Labor Day.

 

[Mark611]

Thanks guys, I loaded some 175gn SMKs to test with the SWMR, the first 5 shots @100yds produced a 3/4'' group, I only fired 5rnds with this powder, because I had 3 other powders to test that day, H335, VARGET and A2495. the SWMR outperformed them all, all my test loads were 42gns accept H335 which was a 41gn load, this test was fired through my new build with a 26'' Criterion BB, 1&10 twist. the SWMR seems to be capable of some very good accuracy, but I still need to know about the temp stability, I know this powder was base off the A2520 powder, but I think that has changed somewhat in recent times, the A2520 I purchased a few yrs ago was made in CANADA, any further info on the SWMR in today's world is what I need to know, thanks.

 

[Mark611]

Thanks to those who replied, I finally found the answers to my question. The Shooters World Match rifle is not a very Temp stable powder, and like a lot of powders, your loads need to be developed for the tempters you're going to be shooting in. just putting this out there for anyone who wants to know, I will say I have used this powder in a few gas guns and my new bolt gun build and it is a powder worth looking at.

 

[Laurie]

I know this powder was base off the A2520 powder, but I think that has changed somewhat in recent times, the A2520 I purchased a few yrs ago was made in CANADA, any further info on the SWMR in today's world is what I need to know, thanks.

SW Match Rifle is Lovex D0-73.6 with a new name and packaging imported into the US by Shooters World. For us in Europe it goes by the Lovex designation. Lovex powders are made by Explosia a.s in the Semtex region of the Czech Republic.

Until around 2003 it was sold in the US as AAC-2520 by the Accurate Arms Co. which produced its own (and very good too) reloading manual. Accurate Arms also imported, packaged and tested a range of Explosia tubular single-based grades such as AAC-2015, 4064, 4350 etc and a range of ball type pistol/revolver powders. In 2003, Western Powders of Montana bought Accurate Arms Co and added AAC's powders to its own grades, mostly Belgium manufactured Ramshot ball types. Although it retained the 'Accurate' brand name, shortened to that single word, it promptly terminated the former AAC's agreements with Explosia. Tubular grades were now made by General Dynamics' Valleyfield facility in Canada, ball powders mostly by General Dynamics' St. Marks factory in Florida. So, Accurate-2520 was a different powder even if it had similar characteristics and loading data to its AAC predecessor. There were hints that Accurate-2520 was a rebranded Ramshot powder made by Eurenco P B Clermont in Belgium that is sold in Europe as Ramshot 'Wild Boar', but it is definitely a St. Marks produced propellant these days. Ca. three years ago, Hodgdon Powder Co. bought Western and all 'Accurate' and 'Ramshot' brand powders are now part of the Hodgdon range even though they keep their existing brand names (and for the moment at least, their producers).

All Hodgdon 'Spherical' grade powders are also made by Gen Dynamics St. Marks. AAC / AA / Accurate-2520 was never made in Canada, either the Czech Republic or Florida depending on date, and as noted maybe Belgium for a time.

Returning to (Czech) SWMR, it'll be as temperature affected, or tolerant as the case may be, as other Explosia / Lovex ball types - that is not dreadful, but unlikely to be as good as with the most recent St. Marks developed types such as the Winchester StaBall products. It'll probably be in line with older Winchester / Hodgdon ball grades such as W748 H335, H. BLC-(2), W760/H414 and similar. The only way you'll find out for certain is through experience. Being in the UK, our weather is usually miserable or really, really miserable with 80F an exceptionally hot day, so we really don't worry much about this aspect of powders.

 

[Mark611]

I know the image is not clear but the side label at the bottom shows it's made in CANADA

 

[jlshaw]

I have been searching the net for info on this powder for its temperature stability, does anybody know what how temp stable it is? I have some I have been trying and have gotten really good groups with this power, but I want a temp stable powder like the Hodgdon H series powders for my 308win builds, I have H 4895 and VARGET, but just want to know if this powder is as good as these? my barrels love the 175gn SMK"s just some basic info on my rifles, but my question is about the SWMR powder!

SWMR worked very well with my .308 155 grain SMK 2156 bullets.
Also works very well with AR service rifles with 77 SMK and 75 Hornadys. I only wish I had a couple more 8-pounders of it.

 

[323]

Same as above I have 4 lbs left wish I could get more up here. Midway has it but they don’t do freight forward. Not sure if I would use it for my XTC load at camp perry in late July. Buy up here in Alaska where a hot day is 75 I use it all day long.

 

[358WCF]

I know the image is not clear but the side label at the bottom shows it's made in CANADA

H4831, H4198, H4895, H4350, H322 have been made in the US, Scotland, & now Oz.

IMR 4198, 4320, 4064, 4895, 4350, 4831, & 7828 have been made in the US & now Canada.

Ramshot Big Game is on the shelf made in both Canada & Belgium.

Accurate 2015 has been made in Israel, China, & a few other places until Canada where they make it today. I just finished a pound of their 2460 from the early 90s that was made in Israel.

I'm sure there are many other examples.

Just cant depend on nuthin'.

 

[Laurie]

I just finished a pound of their 2460 from the early 90s that was made in Israel.

The original Accurate Arms Co. started up the same way as Hodgdon - sourcing surplus powders. They took a lot from Israel including the original AAC-2520. It was this early batch that acquired the nickname 'The Camp Perry powder' as it suited 308 Win with the 168 MK in M14/M1As so well.