Alliant shotgun powders in CF rifle cases

[Marlin Junky]

When they start to become more readily available again, I want to start shooting the slower Alliant shotgun powders in my .30 and .35 caliber rifles (and a .24 or .25 if I should ever find one).

Question is, of the following list, which ones have you tried and found to work well:

• Blue Dot (I've had some good experinces with this one in the '06)
• Pro Reach (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/pro_reach.aspx)
• Steel (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/steel.aspx)
• 410 (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/410.aspx)

...and, how do they rate against ol' 2400?

Thanks,
MJ

[runfiverun]

only one i have ever heard of and used on the list is the steel powder.
it is a bulkier less temperature sensitive blue -dot.

[Von Gruff]

I use B D at 19.2gn in my 7x57 for the 160gn bullet at 1900fps and in my 6.5 Gm with 9gn under a 123gn bullet for 1750fps and even use it in my 20 VT for a sweet little under 200 yd rabbit load where 9gn gets the 34gn Nosler bullet away at a very decent 2700fps.
21gn Red Dot gets a 350gn bullet to 1500fps and great plinking fun but have also taken a number of goats with this load.

[Marlin Junky]

only one i have ever heard of and used on the list is the steel powder.
it is a bulkier less temperature sensitive blue -dot.

Tell us about your experiences with Steel.

I made links to Alliant's webpages describing Pro Reach, Steel and 410 just for those who haven't yet heard of them.

MJ

[runfiverun]

i have only used it in the 44 mag 45 colt and the 30-06.
it just shoots like anything else.
nothing weird or spectacular it doesn't meter worth a darn.
it makes some sweet steel shot loads though.

[OnHoPr]

I use the steel in the 30-30 for plinker and CBA postal matches, also buckshot, slug, squirrel, and turkey loads. I bought 5lbs of it a while back because I thought I was going to get back into duck hunting. I ran out of 2400 while testing and never restocked on it (darn), because it did well in the 30-30. So I tried the steel. In my experience, trying to come close with a load with burn rate charts it seems to be a bit faster than the 2400 in reality from what the burn rate charts imply. To where as I have got close to 1" groups at times with about 19 gr of 2400, I could only put about 14 gr of steel in the 30-30 94, (think). In my opinion it has to be weighed or dipped. I don't know what your expectations are but here is only one example. There is really not a whole lot of data for it in cartridge cases though. I think I have been having lube problems in low vel loads and WW alloy castings, but that is another matter.

69710

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Blue Dot and Green Dot in the 223 are great all the way from 22M levels to full house. DO NOT DOUBLE CHARGE . See Accurate Reloading Forum data lists for more. Simply amazing!

BvT

[Marlin Junky]

Basically, I'm looking for an Alliant 2400 backup/alternative without going to 4759 (the latter of which, I have plenty).

Right now I'm using WC-820 in my 358W which is working pretty well (also works in the .350RM!) but every now and again I get a clinker over the chronograph that makes me think there's probably a better substitute available; therefore, my interest in shotgun powders which should work better at 20K PSI and under. I don't recall using much 820 in the '06 but it has proven to be a good choice in the 30-30 at 1600-1700 fps. I think GD, RD and Unique are a little fast burning for my intended use which is .25-.35 caliber hunting weight boolits (PB and GC) at 1300+ fps. I like the idea of Alliant 410 which is a flake powder designed for the .410 shotgun.

MJ

[Bullshop]

I too use Alliant Steel as a replacement for 2400. Its close to the same burn rate but is a flake powder so the same weight charge better fills the case to a higher density.
I have been using it in 211 FB, 22/250, 6x45, 6mm Rem, 308 Win, and 30/06.
I have been doing a lot of rather long range shooting to 550 yards with a 308 loaded with 20gn Steel and a 200gn NEI DD boolit. It clocks just under 2000 fps and has given groups of less than MOA at 100 yards. Average extreme spread was 16 fps. It holds pretty consistently at about 2 MOA to the longest ranges I have been shooting, 550 yards. At that range it is no big deal to keep a bowling ball moving if the wind will cooperate and a bowling ball is maybe about 1.5 MOA at that range.
The only draw back is that Steel does not meter well but 2400 will. I shoot weighed charges of Steel but the results seem worth it.

[jonp]

I was wondering about the 410 but for me it was for use in 44Mag and 45Colt. Another thread used 20/28 and found it almost identical to Unique. Email to Alliant confirmed the burn rate similar so that seemed like a good swap to me.

[Marlin Junky]

Bullshop,

That sounds pretty good to me.

The ease of metering attribute is something I can live without. If I need to put ammo together quickly (by saving powder handling time) I always use #9 anyway.

Thanks,
MJ

[Marlin Junky]

I was wondering about the 410 but for me it was for use in 44Mag and 45Colt. Another thread used 20/28 and found it almost identical to Unique. Email to Alliant confirmed the burn rate similar so that seemed like a good swap to me.

2028 might be good too but for now it sounds a little fast burning... unfortunately, I can't try 'em all.

410 is interesting but I've heard some "rumors?" contradicting Alliant's claim of "Consistent performance in any weather".

MJ