AA2520 For AR Loads??

[alamogunr]

I have finished assembling my first AR15, although I have not fully tested it yet. It is too cold for me. I've already read the thread taking us Southerners to task for complaining about the cold.

I would like to start loading a some cartridges and if possible use AA2520 since I have a lot of it. I bought 2 eight pounders several years ago at a very good price but have not used an appreciable amount. I have found some loads for use with J@#$^* bullets, which I have but would like to use a recently acquired mold and shoot cast. Does anyone have a comment? Recommendation?

[upnorthwis]

Are you in luck. Just today I did some more testing with my 1-9" twist 20" barreled AR and AA2520. Settled on 20 gr. with RCBS 55 gr. WW boolit, 2360 fps. Tried to drop down to 19 gr. would extract but not load next round. Also tried some groups with and without expander die. Expanded and belled brass easily made smaller groups. Used .225 expander with boolits sized .224 (Only size die I own for this cal.) 3 moa is good enough for what I'm using it for.

[alamogunr]

Thanks! I'll have to try that. My AR is also 1-9" twist but a 16" barrel.

What are you using to expand? I can't find an "M" die for .22 cal. I've got a couple of .30 M dies so that is what I thought of first.

[upnorthwis]

Made my own. Bought a used South Bend lathe several years ago at it's paid for itself from all the parts I've made on it.

[winelover]

Anyone try AA2520, in AR-10's, with cast? It is my go to powder for J-words in .308W and 243W.(55 grain Nostler BT's). Consequently, I have a bunch of it. Love the way it meters.

Winelover

[alamogunr]

Thanks again! My only use so far for the AA2520 has been in .243W. Our older son bought a .243 for the Grandsons about the time the ammo shortages hit. I latched onto some .243 brass and loaded about 200 rounds for them to practice with. The load is out in the shop so I won't quote it but it came right out of a manual.

It sounds like I need to do a little investigating to see what works best. As I said earlier, I have never cast .22 boolets. May take awhile to succeed.

[390ish]

2520 is good, but don't expect spectacular results with heavier bullets. I was trying to make that powder work with 75 grainers and did not have very good results. With the heavies, move toward varget. I bought one of the 8lb jugs of DP-74 years ago (surplus 2520) and wish I had bought a few more jugs. Perfect powder for 458 Lott and a lot of other cartridges. Good luck.

[alamogunr]

I have an 8 lb jug of DP85(less a little) which is supposed to be close to Varget I think. I would have to go to the shop and check the info that came with it. I've had it about 7-8 years. I wonder if it would work.