Anyone use AA2230 for 223 or 6.8??

[drdougrx]

Just wondering.  I got a deal on an 8 pound jug as my favored W748 continues to be hard to find.  I'm primarily interested in loading 223 with 55gr bullets.  I was also thinking of using it in the 6.8spc with 115gr bullets.
Thanks in advance!
 
Doug

[Cheesehead]

I bought a quantity of this powder a few years back. I use it extensively in my 6.8 SPC in an M4 configuration. It burns clean and the velocities are consistent. I shoot a variety of 115 grain and 130 grain bullets with good results on the range and in the deer woods. Accurate Arms Powder Company publishes loads for 115 and 130 grains bullets. I recommend AA2230 for the 6.8.

Cheese

[sk330lc]

I use it in my 223 loads under 55gr and 60gr V-maxs  and love it.  Start low and work up till you find your sweet spot.   Very clean and meters great.

[Cheesehead]

+1 on the metering.

Cheese

[drdougrx]

Thanks Guys!

I took a chance cause the price was good.  I'll give it a try!

[gary0529]

Doug,
Before the SHTF with reloading supplies I snagged 4k LC once fired brass - cleaned it up, used nothing but AA2230 under a 55gr. milsurp pulled FMJ's  and could not be happier.
Will gladly pass along reloading data if you don't have a good recipe but I pulled mine out of the last Hornady reloading manual.
Stuff meters like water, burns clean and I did not have to use up my last 8 # of Varget on plinking ammo.
I like to save it for the 6mm BR!

You will be pleasantly surprised with it.

Gary

[drdougrx]

Thanks Gary!  I was looking in the Lyman book and it lists a 23-25gr load so I was thinking 24.5gr under a 55gr bullet for the 223.  Still thinking about the 6.8.

[james]

I've shot a bunch of 2230 with 55 gr bullets in my Rem 700.  I weighed out loads from min to max in half gr. increments and found the max have the best accuracy at about 3120 fps with a 26 fps difference in velocity in a 3 round group.  Groups were 3/4" in the Rem 700 and 1/2" in an old Rem 788.   I could actually load .2 gr. above max and shrink the groups a little with no pressure signs but it quickly heated the barrel up at a speed of 3160.    The velocity spread of the hot load was was only 8 fps and I think it was a compressed load.     There was an equally accurate 1" load in the middle with 24.5 gr but it had a velocity spread of 70 fps. 
I would probably shoot more of this powder in my .223s if I did not buy Varget in the 8# jugs.

[Lloyd Smale]

one of the best 223 powders made. I used to use it alot back when it was available as surplus powder and back when aa sold it much cheaper then the competitors but now its just as a expensive as anything else and I dont use it very much. I go more toward wc 846 and 847 for cost and if i have to buy comercial i like benchmark. Bottom line though is that alot of benchrest competitors used to swear by it.