5.56 powder lottery

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Precision
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Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:01 pm

5.56 powder lottery

Post by Precision »

The wife suggested that I should buy some bullets and add to our supply of 5.56 ammo. Some for our use vs zombies and some for the possibility of barter.

I purchased 600 77gr Berger OTM and 800 75gr Prvi match (at roughly half the price)

I have about 3.5# of AA 2520 which will load somewhere near 750-800 cases. Quick math says that is NO WHERE near what I need. The local powder store is out of TAC, AA 2520 and Varget. For that matter, the only thing they claim to be appropriate for 5.56 is Accurate LT - 32. Some quick research says it will (at max load) get me within (-)100 fps of my AA 2520 load. And with the 75gr pills perhaps a bit closer.

Question is, does anyone have any experience with this powder?
My research says its really a little too fast burning for the heavy bullets, thus the slower speeds. But is is more efficient from the amount of powder needed perspective.

your experience / comments are welcome.

I am going to look for RL-15 when I get down there tomorrow. Any other powders off the well traveled path that I should look for?
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
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JRucker2004
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Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:04 pm

Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by JRucker2004 »

I spent quite a bit of time testing a bunch of powders with the Hornady 75gr hpbt.
Unfortunately, I haven't tried any of the AA powders. I had heard a lot of people saying good things about TAC, so it was at the top of my list to try, but I couldn't get it to group worth a damn.

Of all of the powders I tried, I had the most success with Varget. Good velocities, and nice groups.
That's my two cents, for what it's worth.
free_me
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by free_me »

Win 748 or BL-C(2) is what I use for 223.
Precision
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by Precision »

The only and I mean the ONLY powder for 5.56 use was LT-32 (@$38). The shop also has a 1 jug per type limit, so I left with a single pound and a box of small rifle primers. I guess I will test it and head back down after the test to pick up another pound if it works nice.

They had a pistol powder Maxam CSB-1. Supposedly a Spanish powder that is between Unique and Universal on the chart. Being unemployed, I didn't have the money to buy an 8# jug ($215). But that is the ONLY pistol powder I have seen in a LONG time. From the load chart it looks like it will work for 9mm, 38, 357, .40 , 45 as well as a few other calibers I don't remember. Might have to pick some up once I get some cash flow going again.
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
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Netpackrat
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by Netpackrat »

One of the local fun shops got some Unique in this week, and it was gone in less than a day.
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morsetaper
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by morsetaper »

I just tested three loadings with LT-32. No complaints about the groups, but I couldn't achieve the velocity that I had hoped for. Under a 64g. Nosler Bonded Performance, I was getting about 2500 fps at near max. load. I was hoping to see something north of 27.

When I first bought this powder back in April, I was in the same boat as you. It was the only thing to be found, either online or locally, and I stocked up. I have since found CFE 223 and H335 online (Cabelas), and IMR4895 and 3031 locally.

Western powder has load data on their website.
Precision
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by Precision »

morsetaper wrote:I just tested three loadings with LT-32. No complaints about the groups, but I couldn't achieve the velocity that I had hoped for. Under a 64g. Nosler Bonded Performance, I was getting about 2500 fps at near max. load. I was hoping to see something north of 27.

When I first bought this powder back in April, I was in the same boat as you. It was the only thing to be found, either online or locally, and I stocked up. I have since found CFE 223 and H335 online (Cabelas), and IMR4895 and 3031 locally.

Western powder has load data on their website.
my load data says max load of 20.1 gr of LT-32 should yield 2696 fps in my 24" barrel. I get 2720 fps (and an SD of about 10fps) with AA2520 with 25.2gr (25.4gr max)

Both below are from the Accurate powder website

5.56X45 NATO
62350 PSI CIP Commercial and NATO/MIL Specification
Barrel: 24" ¦ Twist: 1-7" ¦ Primer: WSR ¦ Bullet Diameter .224"
Case: WIN ¦ Max Case Length: 1.760" ¦ Trim Length: 1.750"

LT-32 40 HDY V-MAX 23.0 3,457 ...25.5 3,820 ...61,877 2.260
LT-32 50 SIE BK 21.9 3,149 ...24.4 3,481 ...61,889 2.260
LT-32 52 NOS HPBT-CC 21.6 3,080 ...24.0 3,403 ..61,977 2.237
LT-32 55 HDY V-MAX 21.0 ...2,979 23.3 ...3,265 ...61,887 2.260
LT-32 62 BAR T-TSX 19.6 ...2,727 21.8 ...2,997 ...61,988 2.260
LT-32 68 HDY BTHP 19.4 ...2,632 21.5 ...2,932 ...61,888 2.220
LT-32 77 SIE HPBT 18.1 ...2,461 20.1 ...2,696 ...61,944 2.260

223 @ 55000 psi 24" barrel
LT-32 62 BAR T-TSX 18.6 ...2,602 ...20.7 2,857 ...54,982 2.260
LT-32 77 SIE HPBT 17.3 ...2,369 ....19.3 2,592 ...54,951 2.260

I have not tested my LT-32 loads yet, but am hoping that these numbers are lawyer lite and the max load has zero pressure signs. I am also hoping it is accurate with my 75gr prvi partisan pills. The Bergers are getting the AA2520 that I know can do +/- 0.5 MOA.
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
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morsetaper
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by morsetaper »

Had a chance to try out those Privi boolits yet? I'm very curious.
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Yogimus
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by Yogimus »

Works pretty well in a 1 1/2 inch lead pipe for stump removal.
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Termite
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Re: 5.56 powder lottery

Post by Termite »

Yogimus wrote:Works pretty well in a 1 1/2 inch lead pipe for stump removal.
Black powder in Sch 80 steel pipe is better. 8-)
"Life is a bitch. Shit happens. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. Acknowledge it, and move on."
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