My Service Rifle 223 load exploration

[sighting]

With the recent spout of Powder shortage I had to run some loads with Accurate 2520 on my daughters Service Rifle.
Only powder I have available is Accurate 2520 and Accurate 2015

I plan on updating this as I test more.

I have some TAC, 2230 and others arriving next week that I will run through the same test to see which one to settle eon.

Overall Observations:
Nosler's as predicted were a tad faster probably due to a better BC but did not group better.
I probably could have been allot more accurate on the powder loads but I was a tad tight on time to make make sure I cold get my spot at the range.
I am sure if I had a higher power scope I could have grouped a bit better but I just wanted to get a stable replacement load for my daughters Service Rifle.
I was surprised how dirty the 2520 was from sub 80 rounds.
The last 25.25 load was exponentially more kickback than any of the previous loads
There was no visible signs of any flat primers or case marking issues or overpressure signs
I really did not feel like taking it past the 25.25 load.
24.60 felt the best in shooting
Sierra's seems to be more consistent overall
I ran out of time but I also wanted to shoot them against a 5 shot group of IMI Mod 1 and Black Hills Mod 1 (5.56) - I will in the next batch

Any feedback appreciated

Equipment:
Upper: White Oak Armament
Lower: Noveske Gen 3
Trigger: Geissele SSA
Barrel: Krieger 20" 1-7:7
Optics: Leupold 4x33 - White Oak Armament Custom
Chronograph: MagnetoSpeed Lite
Rest: Caldwell The Rock

Conditions:
TemperatureElevation: 50ft
Wind: 3mph
Wind Direction: WNW -> ESE

Powder: Accurate 2520
Primer: CCI #41
Brass / Casing: Nosler Blanks once fired
Bullets: Sierra Matchking 77gr
Bullets: Nosler Custom Competition 77gr
Distance: 100yards
Load Length: 2,261"
Crimp: No crimp just setting die

** for some reason the chronograph image will not upload correctly keeps cropping the image size down..

[sighting]

Did some additional powders today:
Ramshot X-terminator / Accurate 2230
Accurate 2015
Alliant RL-15
Alliant AR Comp

Remington Premier Match 69gr

Equipment:
Upper: White Oak Armament
Lower: Noveske Gen 3
Trigger: Geissele SSA
Barrel: Krieger 20" 1-7:7
Optics: Leupold 4x33 - White Oak Armament Custom
Chronograph: MagnetoSpeed Lite
Rest: Caldwell The Rock

Conditions:
TemperatureElevation: 50ft
Wind: 5mph
Wind Direction: NNW -> SSE

Powder: Varied
Primer: CCI #41
Brass / Casing: Nosler Blanks once fired
Bullets: Sierra Matchking 77gr
Distance: 100yards
Load Length: 2,260"
Crimp: No crimp just setting die

** still having issues uploading the chronograph sheet (still displaying the images to small

[highpower790]

Your daughter is a rookie service rifle shooter?
Limit yourself to no more than two powders,otherwise you're looking at endless combinations that will most likely not pan out.
At rrgc today,a new jr lady shot rather well.Could this be your daughter?

[sighting]

Yes agreed. I am only using 1 powder.

The reason for the test is to get data on all powders that I have. I also did some testing on my Remington 700 R5 223 with a different 1.9 twist and seat depths.

I now have tested and selected loads for pretty much all the powders that I have or would be able to have access too for quite some time in my 2 days of testing.

No way I am making 1000 rounds without testing the load out first.

The above was not done to fine-tune a load, but to validate a load I wanted.
Allot of this data I got did not match up to QuickLoad or Gordons Reloading tool numbers, so I am happy I did them.

Yes, that was her.
She did great for her first time, and there were a lot of great folks helping and guiding her.

[OpenSightsOnly]

If you can source a decent supply of RL15 or Norma 203B and use a 77 grain bullet, 24 grains will work with either Wlyde or CLE chamber.

Yeah, 2520 leaves a lot carbon footprint

Similar to IMR 4064, in terms of carbon, but works well with 77s or 80s.

Once we get the components available, try H4895, 8208XBR, and Varget.

[sighting]

RL15 shot well and was a pretty clean powder. A local club member gave me some RL15 but I have been unable to source a new batch at scale. I also have a couple of jars of N140 and Ramshot TAC I have not tested. But I plan on using one fo them as my current backup powder as I have a bunch of 2520 now from a trade for a Atlas Bipod trade.

I traded a EOTech for a couple of pounds of powders so I have way more than I need. I will probably sell off a bunch of powders soon.

I plan on shooting Service Rifle in the next couple of months as well (I actually never knew it existed - would have joined sooner if I knew about it). I want my daughter to get settled first. We are both learning at the moment.

I really do not want to spend too much time on different loads and wanted to settle on a single combo I liked before I went out and bought 5k tips, primers, casings and, 18 pounds of powders.

I am a long time 338-308 loader so this 223 is new too me,

Ironically there is a lot of opinions out there and very little actually tested data that I could find that apply's to me.

Thats why I decide to post it and will continue to doing so.

I heard great things about 8208XBR, and Varget as well but they seem to be in the "unobtainium" wagon lately.

Same goes for H4895. That is apparently what some of the US Marksman Units are shooting it (H4895) with 80.5 Bergers at 2900. I like the appeal off this as they only shoot a single round vs having a 73-77 and a 80+ round for 600.

[OpenSightsOnly]

So I really do not want to spend too much time on different loads and wanted to settle on a single combo I liked before I went out and bought 5k tips, primers, casings and, 18 pounds of powders.

I am a long time 338-308 loader so this 223 is new too me,

Ironically there is a lot of opinions out there and very little actually tested data that I could find that apply's to me.

Thats why I decide to post it and will continue to doing so.

As long as the powder that you choose has a burn rate that is similar to 4895 (H or IMR, fast) or Varget (slow) and the service rifle's chamber is either Wylde or CLE, then start at 22 or 23 for a "fast" powder and 24 to 24.5 to a "slow" powder.

You should sign-up for the National Match forum. That forum is focused for service rifle competition or XTC. It has the info that you need, too much info at times

have fun

[23's Dad]

You should sign-up for the National Match forum. That forum is focused for service rifle competition or XTC. It has the info that you need, too much info at times

have fun

+1

I've run 2520 in my SR at all three yardlines. (77 SMK, Wylde Chamber) I love how it meters compared to many others. I've kept my loads in the upper range of the 5.56 load data from Accurate. It chronos in the 2750-2780 range. It feels more like a Mk 262 round than any other powder I've used for XTC. I've also got a Tubb flatwire buffer spring and was using a Carrier Weight System when shooting those loads XTC. They will flatten primers (CCI 450) for sure. Ejector swipes happened without the heavier spring and CWS. Work up carefully and monitor ambient temperature too. FWIW, MK 262 was exhibiting the same pressure signs in most of the rifles it was fired in during the 2019 Pac Flt matches too.

I've also used RL15, XBR 8208, and AR Comp.
I had lock-back issues with both XBR 8208 and AR Comp. Never had a problem with 2520 (because - Pressure!).
I ditched AR Comp after the first lb (lock back issue + poor metering).
I've got a fair bit of 8208, so I opened up the gas port on my Service Rifle. It now locks back reliably and meters easy.

RL15 was good, but it is a stick powder, and I prefer something that meters easier. When feeding a service rifle (or hopefully two), ease of metering (and no bridging - AR COMP) will become important to you too.

[BrassCase]

Check out CFE223. I have had very good results with it.

[smoothy8500]

I've been using 2520 with Nosler 77's and 80's, and aside from the dirty carbon it works well for my service rifle with a White Oak barrel.

[MarikinaMan]

I have a good amount of data on A2520 with 69, 75 and 77 grain projectiles.

For accuracy, Ive settled on 23.7gr of A2520 under a 75 grain projection. I am getting sub 10 SD's. It's plenty fast for 600 yard targets.

I have a 5.56 load at 25+ grains, close to 26. It's hot, not as accurate, so I only load that for self defense rounds.