MP 530 powder

[Whole Bunches]

In reading this forum, I've noticed that many people get 123gr bullet velocities in the 2500 fps range using CFE223. The accuracy load for my 22" Ruger Predator uses 28.3gr H335, CCI 400, Hornady brass, 123gr SST, oal of 2.26-2.265" and averages 2433fps at 5' from the chronograph (CRUX ARK30 suppressor mounted) in 80 degree weather.

I had no CFE223 on hand, however I found American Reloading had what they called MP 530 at a very attractive price (shipping and hazmat included) on sale, so a friend and I went together and bought 2 8# jugs (he is also a Grendel owner). Worked out to be $110/8# delivered. Advertised as use CFE223 data and start 10% low. Appearance was of a fine ball powder. No idea if it is CFE223. What the heck, I can always use it up in 5.56 plinking ammo. A forum search did not have any MP 530 or MP530 hits.

Today's testing was only velocity, just seeing what it would do and if I could reach 2500fps without high pressure signs. I've never felt that my particular 6.5 has a "fast" barrel. 75 degree weather, same rifle and suppressor, same data as above except for powder and charge, mostly firing 1 shot for each powder charge. Barrel was cooled between shots by attaching a bbl cooling fan to blow air down bbl while I reloaded the next round to try, so no loads were fired from a hot chamber.

25.0 MP 530 - 1849fps
28.0 MP 530 - 2111fps
29.0 MP 530 - 2134fps
30.5 MP 530 - 2310fps
31.0 MP 530 - 2324fps
31.5 MP 530 - 2455fps
31.6 MP 530 - 2455fps (2 shots fired)
31.7 MP 530 - 2440fps
31.9 MP 530 - 2437fps
32.1 MP 530 - 2412fps

Loads started being compressed at about 31.0 grains...I was also tapping the cases to settle the powder before bullet seating. Now 2455fps is not that much faster than my accurate H335 load average of 2433fps, and since that shoots so accurate, I may not do any accuracy testing with MP 530. Since the velocity kept going down after 31.6 grains, I stopped at 32.1, not because of high pressure signs. MP 530 may be an avenue some might want to go down.

[grayfox]

Interesting data. I have not shot any MP530. The OP does bring up some initial observations, my $0.02 as it were.
1. My 20" Howa bolt action will shoot CFE for 123 Eldm/sst at 2505-2510 at about 31.0 gr CFE, so this does not seem to be as fast as CFE delivers, especially since your Ruger has 22" barrel. I have a 20" barrel AR that does the same for factory 123 sst, 2510 give or take, I haven't done any cfe loads in it but for the 20" ones I've done in the past the factory sst, the old 123 Amax and my CFE handloads all gave similar MV results and accuracies (< 1"/100yd when I'm steady).
2. I see an MV reversal at 31.5-31.6 where your MV drops as powder charge increases, that is IIRC a sign of reaching max pressures... besides the Hornady data for the 123 gr pills maxes CFE at 31.2, so again I'm not sure I see a MV advantage for the new powder.
3. CFE, and Lever, still seem to be the "speed kings" of the 123/Grendel (o, and AR Comp may be close to that as well); CFE does have a reputation for temperature sensitivity.

But keep testing, and stay safe! If you don't care for the CFE in temp swings, maybe look at AR Comp, it is billed as being less temp sensitive than some Alliant powders.

If your ruger barrels seems a tad slow, you might think of using a few passes of JB bore paste thru it to smooth out the inner surfaces. I did this for my Howa and it definitely helped. JB is an option for the more rack-like grade barrels, which tend to be rougher inside than hand-lapped or more expensive ones (nothing wrong with the ruger btw, it's a fine rifle). Reducing friction for bullet travel helps exit MV.