Alliant Data Powder 2200: A test

[RG1911]

NOTE: Corrected the brand of powder.

I finally put together some new test loads for .223 for one of my AR-15s. Components were:

Accurate DP 2200: the older lot from the 1990s, not the newer lot from, I believe, 2010.
Barrel: 20-inch, DPMS, 1/8 twist, with muzzle brake.
Brass: Winchester
Primers: CCI Small Rifle Magnum
Bullets: Sierra 69-gr Match King

Loads chronographed using an Oehler 35-P.

Briefly, the charges, mean velocities and standard deviation of each 5-shot string were:

19.0 grains: 2414 fps, SD 6
19.4 grains: 2476 fps, SD 10
19.8 grains: 2533 fps, SD 19
20.3 grains: 2584 fps, SD 14

The good news is that the 19.8-grain load produced a very nice 1.5-inch, 5-shot group at 300 yards.

The bad news is that this lot of the powder is so fast (faster than AA2230) that it didn't produce enough barrel dwell time to cycle the action, even with the adjustable gas block open all the way. This is unfortunate since I have about 28 pounds of it.

Interestingly, the powder did work in another AR-15 before I changed the barrel. I'll have to try that one, again.

Richard

[bgmkithaca]

Are you possibly mistaken about that powder being Alliant instead of Accurate 2200? I have Accurate 2200 from that time frame but have not seen Alliant 2200.

[RG1911]

Aarrgghh! Thank you! I've corrected the post.

Richard

[NewbieDave007]

This is the powder that I generally use for my AR. I like it and for the price it isn't bad.

Good luck.
Dave

[Larry Gibson]

RG1911

I've used lot's of AA2200 "Data" powder in the .223. I've found it performs best with 55 gr and lighter weight bullets. A lot of match shooter have tried it with the 69+ gr weight bullets but found the same as you; it's too fast burning. Many use it with 55 gr match bullets for reduced courses (100 - 300 yd) and also for the 200 and 300 yard stages of the NMC and use another powder such as Varget for the 600 yard stage with the 69 gr or heavier match bullets.

Larry Gibson

[RG1911]

Come to think of it, I think the last time I used it it was with 60-gr V-Max. I also have some 55-gr V-Max. I'll try both.

The AR does have rifle-length gas.

Thank you for the reports and suggestions.

Richard

[JSH]

As Larry noted 55 grainers work. I forgot I had some of this left myself and looked at AA's website. It was noted that the early powder did not work well with heavier than 55's.
My bushmaster likes the combo all the way to 200 so far.

[cowboybart]

I have 16lbs of this and plan on using it in a 6.5 Grendel, carbine. Should I try lighter or heavier bullets in a carbine (16")? I'd like to use 120gr Nosler Bal-Tips, but I have a really short throat in my barrel. So short that a 120 Bal Tip is currently stuck in the throat. Once I get it out I will build a dummy and throat the barrel to match.

[RG1911]

Is your carbine a bolt-action or a semi-auto?

I just tested this some more with stiff loads and 55-gr bullets in .223 in one of my ARs, and, as warned in the loading data, it did not cycle the action. It ejected, but the bolt did not go back far enough to either lock back on an empty mag, or to pick up the next round.

Note that the powder did work in another AR, but it was before I changed the barrel and gas block. I have not tested that one with the 2200.

Richard

[happie2shoot]

here is the data for the old 2200 powder, I too have five to six 8lb kegs,

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DP2200.pdf

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DP2200.pdf

[HK91]

If you still have the 28 pounds of AA2200 and have a 300 AAC Blackout, you might find it works well for sub-sonic loads. You probably can't get enough of it in a case for it to work well with light bullets. I have had good luck with the old AA2200 using Hornady 208gr A-Max and with 235gr powder coated cast bullets at around 1050 fps. But it is a little dirty.

HK91

[hydraulic]

I still have a few pounds left over from when I used it in a Remington 722 in .222. Don't shoot many prarie dogs anymore so was wondering if it could be used for reduced cast loads in an .06.

[Bird]

I still have a few pounds left over from when I used it in a Remington 722 in .222. Don't shoot many prarie dogs anymore so was wondering if it could be used for reduced cast loads in an .06.
As far as i know, there is no load data from AA for the 30-06, and my guess would be that it would be far from suitable. I have shot a lot of this powder, and my best results have been with full or near full cases loaded with the lighter bullets prescribed in the loading data provided by AA. The data provided by AA, turned in pretty dismal results for quite a few of the cartridges they list for use with this powder.
Most claim its a good accurate powder for the .223, .222, 6.8, and I have found it to be an excellent powder for the 45-70 coupled with the remington 300grn hp's. Also a good powder for the 444 marlin with the 240grn bullets. It appears this powder does not like reduced loads, as do most ball powders. Try a stick powder instead...4198?

[cowboybart]

Is your carbine a bolt-action or a semi-auto?
Richard

Semi auto - AR