20 PPC powders

[ballpowder]

I'm working with my second barrel on a Dakota Predator. Originally with the first barrel I started with traditional PPC powders. RL10x, H322, IMR 4198, Benchmark, and XBR. Accuracy was very solid but I felt velocity could be better.

Later I decided that using a powder that works in the same case with bore that has a higher expansion ratio interchangeably with a lower expansion ratio goes against conventional wisdom. So for giggles I tried BLC2. 33grs gets 4008FPS with a 40gr bullet and we are not at max. So I know most guys use 6ppc powders but I'm going to concentrate on powders we normally associate with the 17 Rem.

I'm looking to see if anyone has data for 40gr Bullets using RL15, AA2520, 748, IMR4320, Varget and the kind.

Much appreciated

[SmokinJoe]

If you have some H4895, I would recommend that you try it. It works great in the 20-223AI with no pressure problem. We are getting up in the 4150 range with H4895 in longer barrels (28") with excellent accuracy. I am interested in what you are doing because I have 2 of these myself, and haven't yet developed any loads I want to use.

[Ganderson]

Ballpowder, could you possibly pm me with some of your previous load data for your 20ppc? I am going to build one and there does not seem to be a lot of good hard data that's been tried out there. I also have not seen too many groups posted for the 20ppc and that has me worried that it "may not" be as inherently accurate as one might think. Anyway, I would appreciate some of your previous ventures with the powders you have mentioned...RL10x, 8208, benchmark and 4198...if you would please. Thanks

Gene

[camel]

This link will take you to the ADI site here in good old Aust. Some of the names of the powders may be different, e.g. Vargent is AR2208, most will know this. Hope it gives you some help, you may be able to compare some of the data contained. One thing I have noticed is that they are very, very conservative with their loading, one example is AR2208 in 223 with 55gn projectiles, their new max load used to be listed as their starting load, but I am sure that everyone on here will be working up their loads very carefully.

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders/

[ballpowder]

Ya guys, I can send you some of my loads. Thing is they will be loads I'm thinking of abandoning. I just was looking in my 20ppc load journal. One day 29 gr xterm w/ 40gr vmax I'm shooting good groups with this then later it's terrible. I realize I could have been the problem causing accurate groups also. Velocity 4020fps.

Something I did not mention earlier about being on my second barrel. I blew the gun up with a load of surplus 8208. I'm convinced the so called traditional powders for this wildcat are too fast and not because I had an accident. The appropriate powder can be a full density load and maybe slightly crater a primer not totally blow a gun to hell.

I'm mean think about it. This is a magnum 20 cal like the 17 rem or 22 swift is in their calibers. A guy with a swift wouldn't use the same powders as the guy with a 222 so why do 20 PPC guys seem to use 20 Vartag powders? I don't know why. I'm going to work with powders used in the 17 rem and swift, ie rl15&4320 up to the h380&h414 class. I found data for aa2520 last nite. Good cause I have a 8 pounder of it growing mold. I'll get back to you guys

[Spook]

Leverevolution (sp?) worked well for me particulaly through the varget shortage. Burn speed very close to H-380.

[trotterlg]

For ball powder in a 17 Remington or 17-204 with 30gr bullets, Winchester 760 is about right, my 20 Swift is good with 4064, I usually try to go with a powder that is as slow as I can go with the case very near full. Larry

[Mack]

Try LT-30 or LT-32 around the 25gr. mark and 35gr. Bergers, then experiment.
Mack

[L461]

I like the way you are thinking Ballpowder

I have been loading 8208 for 4100 fps in my 20 PPC

The worse groups I have shot with this rifle was with 39 gr Blitzkings/Benchmark

This 5 shot group was still 1/2"

[P-dog80123]

i want to use 32gr vmax in the 20ppc witth 8208 any suggestions? thanks greg