Please Share Any Experience with Accurate 2230 with Cast Bullets

[michiganmike]

I have a couple pounds of A2230 with which I reload for my son's AR. And I see that it is in the same neighborhood on the powder chart as the powders I use for reloading my 7mm-08 and 338 Federal.

So, given that, I am curious how it would perform with the fine Loverin 150 gr. 7mm bullet (Mine average 145.) and the Lee 220 gr. 338 bullet. (Mine are typically 215 gr.)

If you have any experience using A2230 in larger caliber bullets, please let me know of your experience.

I ask this understanding that a) powder burn rate charts are not perfect b) that powders of the same relative burn rate possess different characteristics c) that there are variables to consider such as the bullet, the specific rifle, etc.

But before I turn the corner and head down the wrong street, I would like to learn what I can from my fellow casters. If there are a number of you who have tried this powder and found it unsuitable I will keep reloading 223 ammo for my son's AR.

Thank you in advance for your time and comments,

MichiganMike

[Yodogsandman]

I've used a lot of surplus AA2230 in my 7.62x51 Mauser, 28.5gr under a 202gr 314299 bullet with Dacron filler. Good accuracy and about 1850 FPS.

[Catshooter]

I've used about 13 pounds of AA 2230 in the 38-55. Works very in all aspects. I run a 285 grain boolit to about 1,800 fps.


Cat

[lotech]

I haven't used any lately, but years ago used 2230 for many cast bullet loads in the 7.62 x 39, .308, .30-40 Krag, and .30-06 (and maybe a few others). In 1992, HANDLOADER magazine put out a "Cast Bullet Special Edition" with an article featuring 2230 use for cast bullets in several rifle cartridges, though with very limited load data. With the small 7.62 x 39 case, one can fill the case pretty much full with 2230. Larger cases, like the '06, require -as an example- 32 grains with a an RCBS 30-180 FN (lino) to make about 1,950 fps. Accuracy-wise, I found this powder quite competitive with just about anything else, though I wouldn't go too low on the powder charges. On one occasion only, I had a hangfire using 29 grains 2230 and the SAECO #301 cast in the '06 on a fairly cool day. Whether this could be attributed to the (low?) charge weight or something else remains unknown to me.

I don't know how much, if any, current data is available for this powder for cast bullet use. Beware of old data. I have the first edition Accurate Arms red-covered paperback manual. It contains cast bullet/ 2230 data that I suspect may be a bit hot, despite their published pressure figures.

If I had some 2230 to use up, I would not hesitate to work up some cast rifle loads with it. From an accuracy perspective, I've found other powders like Reloder 7, AA5744, SR4759, and IMR4198 work just as well and may be better suited to .308 or .30-06 case capacities.

[michiganmike]

Thank you, gentlemen. I will take your words to heart. More comments welcome.

[RU shooter]

Use it with good vel and accuracy in my 35 rem, tried H335 but 2230 always shot better in my rifle

Tim