I picked up a couple jugs of Accurate Data 2200 powder a while back, and have been trying to work up a .223 load with it.
My understanding is that this powder, the old Data powder as opposed to the newer canister 2200, was a surplus powder. Anyone out there ever notice faster or slower lots with it?
Working up a load, I'm using both a Rem 700 in .223 with a 24" barrel, and an AR 5.56 with a 16" barrel. I'm using 55fmj bullets. My chronograph seems to be accurate, as I've tested it with factory rounds that clock pretty much where I expected. The jugs were sealed, look and smell fine.
The issue I'm having is it appears to be slower than expected. I'm going off the data on the jug label, and data for the newer 2200 (close to the same), but the measured velocity is significantly less, by at least 200 fps for the listed maximum. I even went over the listed maximum charge by a fair amount with absolutely no signs of excess pressure, even in the tight .223 chamber.
I'm not terribly concerned about velocity, and accuracy seems good at this point, but this is a significant discrepancy from what I expected. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? If it's a normal variation with surplus powder I'll just continue my load development.