What is DP-74 good for?

[Marlin Junky]

That's it, What is DP-74 good for? I've got about 14-15 pounds of this stuff and it's unsatisfactory in my .35's unless I "open up" the Whelen with 250-260 grain PP boolits... which jars my fillings loose. Are there any '06 applications where this powder shines?

Thanks,
MJ

[dualsport]

Check out their website, there's load info there for Data Powder.

[rugerman1]

http://www.accuratepowder.com/datapowder_dp74.htm

Information:

This powder is slightly slower than the standard Accurate 2520 powder.

We suggest that you increase any load as published for Accurate 2520 by 3%

(Multiply all AA2520 loads by 1.03)

This applies to all caliber/bullet weight combinations

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/Data%20Powder%2074.pdf

[Marlin Junky]

DP-74 is actually a hair faster in my .35 Remington and .358 Winchester with 220 and 250 grain boolits than my last batch of canister AA2520 and produces the worst spreads over the chronograph of any surplus powder I've used unless the pressure is cranked up. While searching through my records I noticed that it does OK in the 30-30 with heavy boolits but not as well as H380 or Special Ball (the latter of which is a long gone surplus powder from Pat's in OH). I'm going to try DP-74 in the old '06 with RCBS 30-165-SIL cast soft, wrapped in paper and shot hard.

MJ

[rockrat]

If you don't want the powder , I will be happy to take it off your hands. Heck, I will even pay shipping and hazmat!!! :)

[Rick459]

when Powder Valley had Data 74 for sale for $69.00 a Keg. i bought 32lbs. of it tried it last friday in my .223 with J bullets and was happy with the outcome. besides the .223 will be using it in .308/.243/30/06.
Rick

[Marlin Junky]

when Powder Valley had Data 74 for sale for $69.00 a Keg. i bought 32lbs. of it tried it last friday in my .223 with J bullets and was happy with the outcome. besides the .223 will be using it in .308/.243/30/06.
Rick

Let us know how it works in the '06 with the real boolits.

BTW, this morning I burned a bunch of surplus 2520 (from Pat's) in my .35-336A and the results were significantly better than with DP-74; i.e., better stats, better groups and only a few fps less velocity with the same volume of powder and same 223 grain ACWW boolit.

MJ

[leadman]

The "surplus" 2520 from Pat's was commercial powder he bought from Accurate in drums. This is how Accurate got it and they would repackage it for commercial sale. Pat's said Accurate was upset he was selling the powder.
Even with commercial powder prior to Western buying Accurate I noticed a differernce in burning rate.
I have an 1891 Arg. Mauser that really shines with 2520 and a Remington .312" roundnose.

[dualsport]

What the heck did they think he'd do with it?

[Marlin Junky]

The "surplus" 2520 from Pat's was commercial powder he bought from Accurate in drums. This is how Accurate got it and they would repackage it for commercial sale. Pat's said Accurate was upset he was selling the powder.
Even with commercial powder prior to Western buying Accurate I noticed a differernce in burning rate.
I have an 1891 Arg. Mauser that really shines with 2520 and a Remington .312" roundnose.

Have you compared the physical appearance of canister AA2520 to Pat's OEM (that's what is printed on my jug) 2520? Even though the two powders are very similar in burning characteristics, they look very different; i.e, spherical, vs. flattened ball, respectively. My OEM 2520 almost looks like a flake powder because the kernels are so flat.

MJ

[felix]

Flattening, or flattening more, will increase the speed. This is a typical re-manufacturing trick when a batch comes out slightly too slow for an intended application. ... felix

[Marlin Junky]

Felix,

I just dug up some more comparison data for AA2520 vs. OEM2520 and it revealed an additional 100 fps with the latter in a 336A chambered for .35 Rem while shooting SAECO 352 at about 248 grains checked. For the purpose of replenishing my stock when the OEM2520 is gone, would I be better off buying TAC, 2460 or either 844/846? I'm getting right at 2200 fps with 360-220 (it's closer to 225 grains ready to fly) at 100% density and very good accuracy. I realize 844/846 can vary somewhat but I have never owned either. I also understand the "T" versions of 844/846 burns hotter in order to light the tracers. If this is correct, I would assume that would be a problem for cast boolit shooters.

MJ

[felix]

The 35 bore size is extremely flexible when using powder speeds between 3031/H332 thru 4320/H335, so you would be safer by getting a large quantity of powder more specific to your smaller lever caliber bores (slower powder). In other words, get the cheapest powder towards the slower end. Yes, the tracer versions would be different in heat (not necessarily speed) because they would have to ignite the projectile (guaranteed). Minimize the heat when you can, but it is not necessary when you have many different guns to shoot. So, the gun will last for 10K rounds instead of 25K before you notice a significant accuracy detraction using max loads. If you are NOT going to shoot around-the-clock, I would get a freshly made commercial powder when the cost is reasonable AND versatile enough to use in all your lever guns. ... felix

[Marlin Junky]

In the mean time, I'd like to hear some success stories with respect to DP-74 and the 30-06. Actually, I'd even like to hear how the '06 performs with 160-170 grain boolits and AA2460... or for that matter substitute Ramshot TAC or H335 for 2460, because at least for now, that's how I'm treating my DP-74.

MJ

[Marlin Junky]

30-30 Results:

Well, I found out on Monday of this week that 31 grains of DP-74 works about like 33 grains of H-380 while using RCBS 30-180FN at about 196 grains (clip-on WW metal, ready to fly). In other words, darn good. I also tried 311041 with 33 grains of DP-74 and got some vertical stringing so I need to retest with that boolit. BTW, all three 5-shot groups with 30-180 were under 1.25" at 75 yards with iron sights. RCBS 30-180FN simply loves the old Ballard 336A even though the rate of twist is 1 in 10" and there are only 4 grooves. Velocity was a hair above 2100 fps for the 30-180 and 2258 for 7 rounds of Lyman 311041.

MJ