300 Blackout & 235 gr Lee: Powders?

[Ironduke]

I ordered the new 300 BLK mould by Lee. It is supposed to drop bullets at .309 diameter and is a tumble lube design. My question is what powder I should use. I called Lee about it, and they didn't have any dats. Lee recommended I contact Hodgdon, but their sight only shows data for J bullets. They use H110 and Lil gun in those loads. I have shot cast bullets with these powders in the 454 cas and 500 S&W, but never in something so small as the blackout.

Suggestions?

[161]

I just received my mold like yours. Do some searching on here some people are using Red Dot and Unique. I have no input I'm still waiting on an upper in 300 BLK.

[blikseme300]

This boolit needs slower powder than Lil Gun or H110. I am working up loads behind this boolit using Reloder 7 and Reloder 10x. Not using a can, I am using a 16" HBAR with 1/8 twist.

[root]

Instructions that came with mine( YA Irad them) say 4227.
And they also suggest a slow powder.

I have not loaded a round yet but ai have a coffee can cast up.

I Will be shooting these with a can ( SWR OCTANE HD 2nd gen)
16 inch 1/8 mid lenth GT @ .750

When I get dies and the rest of the parts for the upper.

No rush on my end as I have so many irons in the fire.

I'm just going to play with some loads until I get one that holds the bolt open, doesn't keyhole, stays subsonic. Then slap the can on it.
(read work down)

This has worked with my other cans in the past and should work with this one too.

[Ironduke]

Awesome. Of course i don't have any 4227, but I do have RE-7 and 10x. Still without some published load data or at least someone else's data worked up, i wouldn't know where to start. I'm pretty sure I have a 10 twist, and I have shot 240 gr Sierras through it; they stabilized fine. I don't think I'll have trouble with these stabilizing in my rifle. Where should I start with RE-7 or 10x?

[blikseme300]

I'll be doing load development this weekend will update this thread with results. BTW, under the Lee 312-155 the maximum Re7 is 17.7gn as this is a compressed load. I have settled at 17gn under this boolit sized to .310 and I get 1" groups at 100yrd.

[mongoosesnipe]

I use h110 exclusively in my 300 whisper

[Moonie]

H110/W296 is a great powder for the 300 AAC Blackout however I have found in both of our uppers that it is not a good powder for subsonic loads. If you wish to run the 235gr Lee supersonic it will be fine but subsonic you should choose a different powder. AA1680 or similar in burn rate should work well.

[bmiller]

I have had the best results with the lee 230 grain bullet with AA 1680 powder. H110 seemed to build pressure quickly.

[Ironduke]

I loaded up some of these boolits several days ago, and shot them on Friday with 11 gr of RE-7. Velocity over my Chrony had an average of 1023 fps. Accuracy was better than I expected since this is my first ever batch of cast boolits that I cast. And I have never shot cast boolits in an AR before either. Lube was Lee liquid Alox,, but I did not size or sort the boolits by weight. Some boolits even had wrinkles, but the bases were fully formed with sharp edges.

The load was mild, and would eject the spent case, but would not pick up the next round so the bolt was short stroking. I will work up in 1/2 gr increments looking for signs of pressure until the action will reliably cycle.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z101/ironduketexan/LeeBoolitHoles_zpsd1ae87fe.jpg

My carbine uses a 10 twist barrel, and even at this low velocity there is no sign of keyholing; all the bullets struck the target point on. The Millet DMS 4x scope only allows so much precision so I am pretty pleased with this group considering. This is only 50yds BTW, since i had a limited amount of range time. StillI am encouraged and look forward to finding a load that cycles, being more selective and precise in my loading and availing myself of higher powered optics for longer range shooting.

[smokepole1971]

I ordered the new 300 BLK mould by Lee. It is supposed to drop bullets at .309 diameter and is a tumble lube design. My question is what powder I should use. I called Lee about it, and they didn't have any dats. Lee recommended I contact Hodgdon, but their sight only shows data for J bullets. They use H110 and Lil gun in those loads. I have shot cast bullets with these powders in the 454 cas and 500 S&W, but never in something so small as the blackout.

Suggestions?
10.5 gr of 1680 works perfect in my gun! 16 inch ER shaw 1-8 carbine gas system.. working with Lil gun now starting with 9.5 gr if that helps!!

[Possumcop]

I know there's no direct correlation, but I've managed to get semi reliable subsonic functioning with the Lee 230 grain 5R bullet in a Yugo 59-66 SKS using AA-5744 powder. My barrel twist is 1/9.4" and accuracy is about 2" at 50 yards. It does better with a gas check seated on the boattail but they tend to come off in flight so I haven't tried them through the can.
I've found that magnum primers are necessary to avoid vertical stringing.

[3006mv]

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/300_ACC_Blackout_Data.pdf

I wish I had some Re7 to try. I exclusively use 11.4 gr of AA-1680 (see above). w/ this boolit. I have to flare the mouth or I will get lead shearing. I do not use the Lee FCD, since I have been doing this, no leading. Lee Precision told me I could use a .30 Luger powder through expanding pistol die to flare the case, I have one on order from Titan Reloading, I am hoping to save a step by using this and topping w/ my Lee PPM on top, using a threaded adapter. My rifle is actually a Model1Sales .300 Whisper, stamped on bbl is .300-221 Fireball; I just call it 7.62x35 so I don't ever have to say .300 AAC Blackout. Carbine gas port, rifle buffer and spring in solid A2 buttstock. I am wondering if I were to switch to carbine buffer and spring would do anything different, maybe just a change in powder charge. but the one mentioned above cycles that Lee boolit w/o a hitch, next round feed, bolt hold open etc, no malfs at all. happy camper as long as i can get me some free lead. I am currently working on making a bullet trap w/ 2' of that rubber landscaping mulch in front of a steel boolit trap in a box to save my lead. Need to chronograph this load, best guess is slightly supersonic. I have only shot it at 50m and can get a good fist sized group open sights or 4 scope w/o support so i am pretty happy thus far. Will take it out to 100m soon I hope.

I suggest to save your H110/W296 and Lil Gun for the lighter supersonic loads. I have read on quarterboreforum (300Whisper forums) that the heavier bullets fly well w/ the AA1680, Re7, and H4227. I am just glad I was able to get AA1680 around here locally, may try some in my .22 Hornet since I have never used it in that yet as I just newly aquired the AA1680 and heard it was good for Hornet, but it is hard to beat the Lil Gun out of my rifle.

compare burn rate charts w/ different powders as reference.

Cartridge: 300 AAC Blackout
Load Type: Rifle
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
110 GR. HDY V-MAX IMR IMR 4227 .308" 2.040" 17.6 1942 36,500 CUP 19.5C 2130 46,700 CUP
110 GR. HDY V-MAX Winchester 296 .308" 2.040" 18.8 2259 40,600 CUP 20.0 2382 50,600 CUP
110 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon H110 .308" 2.040" 18.8 2259 40,600 CUP 20.0 2382 50,600 CUP
110 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon Lil'Gun .308" 2.040" 18.9 2248 31.000 CUP 20.0 2388 37,600 CUP
110 GR. HDY V-MAX IMR Trail Boss .308" 2.040" 4.5 880 21,900 CUP 6.3 1046 20,200 CUP
115 GR. BER TGT FB IMR IMR 4227 .308" 2.050" 17.6 1934 36,800 CUP 19.5C 2110 47,000 CUP
115 GR. BER TGT FB Winchester 296 .308" 2.050" 18.8 2220 39,300 CUP 20.0 2348 50,800 CUP
115 GR. BER TGT FB Hodgdon H110 .308" 2.050" 18.8 2220 39,300 CUP 20.0 2348 50,800 CUP
115 GR. BER TGT FB Hodgdon Lil'Gun .308" 2.050" 18.9 2235 32,600 CUP 20.5 2393 39,900 CUP
115 GR. BER TGT FB IMR Trail Boss .308" 2.050" 4.5 894 23,200 CUP 6.3 1044 19,900 CUP
125 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 4227 .308" 2.060" 16.5 1818 38,000 CUP 17.7C 1965 49,800 CUP
125 GR. NOS BT Winchester 296 .308" 2.060" 16.7 2020 40,200 CUP 17.8 2118 48,800 CUP
125 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon H110 .308" 2.060" 16.7 2020 40,200 CUP 17.8 2118 48,800 CUP
125 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon Lil'Gun .308" 2.060" 16.9 2086 35,900 CUP 18.0 2185 40,800 CUP
130 GR. SPR HP IMR IMR 4227 .308" 2.005" 18.0 1902 41,900 cup 19.2 2008 47,600 CUP
130 GR. SPR HP Winchester 296 .308" 2.005" 17.9 2056 40,400 CUP 19.0 2155 48,400 CUP
130 GR. SPR HP Hodgdon H110 .308" 2.005" 17.9 2056 40,400 CUP 19.0 2155 48,400 CUP
130 GR. SPR HP Hodgdon Lil'Gun .308" 2.005" 18.3 2073 37,700 CUP 19.5 2213 41,900 CUP
135 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4227 .308" 2.120" 17.1 1818 39,700 CUP 18.2 1960 47,600 CUP
135 GR. SIE HPBT Winchester 296 .308" 2.120" 17.3 2010 43,100 CUP 18.4 2109 51,200 CUP
135 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H110 .308" 2.120" 17.3 2010 43,100 CUP 18.4 2109 51,200 CUP
135 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Lil'Gun .308" 2.120" 16.5 2017 37,800 CUP 18.0 2127 43,200 CUP
220 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4198 .308" 2.260" 11.5 1036 25,300 CUP
220 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4198 .308" 2.260" 11.5 1068 25,600 CUP
220 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4227 .308" 2.260" 10.5 1014 28,800 CUP
220 GR. SIE HPBT Winchester 296 .308" 2.260" 9.9 1050 29,700 CUP
220 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H110 .308" 2.260" 9.9 1050 29,700 CUP
220 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Lil'Gun .308" 2.260" 9.0 1077 31,100 CUP
230 GR. BER TACT IMR IMR 4227 .308" 2.260" 10.2 1065 37,100 CUP
230 GR. BER TACT Winchester 296 .308" 2.260" 9.5 1085 34,500 CUP
230 GR. BER TACT Hodgdon H110 .308" 2.260" 9.5 1085 34,500 CUP
230 GR. BER TACT Hodgdon Lil'Gun .308" 2.260" 8.7 1077 28,900 CUP

darn Hodgdon (above) seriously lacking 147 and 150 gr jacketed load data, the bums

[3006mv]

I loaded up some of these boolits several days ago, and shot them on Friday with 11 gr of RE-7. Velocity over my Chrony had an average of 1023 fps. Accuracy was better than I expected since this is my first ever batch of cast boolits that I cast. And I have never shot cast boolits in an AR before either. Lube was Lee liquid Alox,, but I did not size or sort the boolits by weight. Some boolits even had wrinkles, but the bases were fully formed with sharp edges.

The load was mild, and would eject the spent case, but would not pick up the next round so the bolt was short stroking. I will work up in 1/2 gr increments looking for signs of pressure until the action will reliably cycle.


My carbine uses a 10 twist barrel, and even at this low velocity there is no sign of keyholing; all the bullets struck the target point on. The Millet DMS 4x scope only allows so much precision so I am pretty pleased with this group considering. This is only 50yds BTW, since i had a limited amount of range time. StillI am encouraged and look forward to finding a load that cycles, being more selective and precise in my loading and availing myself of higher powered optics for longer range shooting.

thanks for posting eagerly awaiting updates, my guess at some point beyond 50m you may get some tumbling w/ your twist rate. Glad you are having good luck with your current setup. I suggest you checkout Model1Sales, search 300 whisper, they have a set of buffer/spring combo that may help w/ your next round pickup and bolt hold open, just a guess though, I am no expert, have not tried it myself. this is for subsonic loads though if that is what you are wanting to achieve
http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=428
I may try one of these sets some day but w/ my current powder boolit combo (see my post above) i am figuring if it aint broke don't fix it.

[billw]

I'm looking for 4227 loads in 30-30 rifle for up to 210 gr 314299. Has anyone found any sites or load data for light, medium and heavy loads?

[jett]

[QUOTE=Ironduke;2008368]I ordered the new 300 BLK mould by Lee. It is supposed to drop bullets at .309 diameter and is a tumble lube design. My question is what powder I should use. I called Lee about it, and they didn't have any dats. Lee recommended I contact Hodgdon, but their sight only shows data for J bullets. They use H110 and Lil gun in those loads. I have shot cast bullets with these powders in the 454 cas and 500 S&W, but never in something so small as the blackout.

I have been working up loads using JHP bullits using H-110 and Lil Gun. I have used 125, 150, 168, 175, and 220 gr heads. Both powders meter well with a Lee Powder measures and even the Lee Auto Disk on top of the powder through die. I found the 125s had more felt recoil and the 220 were very mild. The 168s and 175s over 13 gr Lil were the most accurate with consistent sub MOA, 1 hole groups at 100 yards. I will chrony these loads now that I found the most accurate and post that at a later time. I was thinking of using cast 30 carbine heads for target / plinking.

I have a Rock Island lower with a Model 1 upper 1:10 SS heavy barrel. What helps a lot is the 3 lb Timney drop in trigger. I have a BSA 6 - 24 scope and a Redfield holo red dot on it.

[Moonie]

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/300_ACC_Blackout_Data.pdf

I wish I had some Re7 to try. I exclusively use 11.4 gr of AA-1680 (see above). w/ this boolit. I have to flare the mouth or I will get lead shearing. I do not use the Lee FCD, since I have been doing this, no leading. Lee Precision told me I could use a .30 Luger powder through expanding pistol die to flare the case, I have one on order from Titan Reloading, I am hoping to save a step by using this and topping w/ my Lee PPM on top, using a threaded adapter.

I use the 30 Luger powder through expander with an auto disk pro, works great.