Which powder to start with

newstwshooter

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Aug 26, 2013
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I got a STW built a couple months ago and have shot 3 boxes of Nosler factory ammo through for the brass. I would like to start reloading for it and would like to start with 160gr Nosler Accubonds. Any recommendations on which powder to start with to start working up a load ? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
rl22,rl25 for mid weight.... rl33,rl50 for heavies.... retumbo, h1000, and h50bmg if you like to srpinkle a bit of single base around. 7828 will work for mid weight too but the pressures tend to be up a bit by the time to get to good speed.
Ball type slow burners can work well too but some bores (like mine) won't eat them well; it's hit and miss with those in this cal and the temp sensativity makes non stabilized stick powders look good.
 
Lefty7mmstw, I was lucky enough to find some 180gr Bergers so where should I start to work up my loads with Rl50 and rl33? I've already Burnt through all my h1000 and retumbo trying to figure out my chrony problem (returned that ***)
 
Lefty7mmstw, I was lucky enough to find some 180gr Bergers so where should I start to work up my loads with Rl50 and rl33? I've already Burnt through all my h1000 and retumbo trying to figure out my chrony problem (returned that ***)

With the 171 barnes match last year I was at 86 grains rl50 at 3100 fps in a 24" bbl. with normal pressure. I worked up a load with rl33 and the 171 but rl33 was rather stiff by 84 grains. I've actually gone to either the 140 accubond with 82.0 rl25 under it or the 150 ablr with 80.0 rl25 under it at present. My rifle has a 10" twist and is flaky with accuracy at that bullet weight; one day it's 1/4 moa, the next it's 2 moa. Here's alliant's poop sheet for rl33 from last year.

18722d1361991268-rl-33-load-data-picture-1.png
 
IMR 7828 does work great ! It's the first powder that I tried and after a bit of playing around I got a 0.560" group. I'm still trying to find some H1000. Powder is really hard to come by up here in Alberta.
 
Don't over looked H4831 SC I have had great luck with it in all bullet weights from 140-160 in two 700 both guns will shoot one hole groups.

In my custom abolt this is my go to powder. Not the fastest load but scary accurate with 140gr barnes ttsx bullets ! I have great luck with 7828 ssc and have a good 160 gr load with h1000 also. But my accumark loves the 7828 ssc still working on the couple 8lb jugs of each I have.
 
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