10-20-2023, 07:22 AM
I have tried a lot of powders for my 18 and 24'' tubes, mainly running the 120 and 123gn ELDM's and 120gn SMK's, I do not hunt just paper punch, that said, my loads are run out of AR plat forms, it took me awhile to get a good load developed that was accurate for my rifles, for whatever reason my barrels don't seem to like the Hornady pills, but I have not tried the Hornady ELDM's with AR Comp, yet, I do have some loaded up for my next range trip to see if they will group? the best groups I have gotten are about 2 to 3'' at 200m, with the Hornady 120 and 123gn ELDM's, I'm not happy with that! on the other hand, the 120gn SMK's out of my 24'' 1&8 with new unfired brass Hornady or Starline running 27.1gns of AR Comp last trip out same distance I shot a 3/4'' group, from the 10 test rounds I loaded for that day, aving 2545fps with a SD of 7fps my 18'' 1&8 shot a 1.5'' group with the same load same SD, @2495fps, group size was bigger due to the Reticle in my scope, it covers up the 1.5'' bullseye I use at 200m, I will also note that these are not target rifles! my 18'' is a Heavy barrel BCA right side charger upper, my 24'' is a Sanders HB RSC, AR Comp has been the best and most stable powder I have used so far from my rifles, I have not tried CFE223 or lever, I also have no pressure signs with the comp load, powders I have also tried are A2520 A2460 A2495 Shooters World Match rifle H322 H4895 Tac and probably a few others I have forgot about, and none of these powders come close in performance velocity or accuracy wise to AR Comp from my rifles and most of the other powders had ejector marks on the brass and they barely broke 2400fps and the powders that did break the 2450 mark all had ejector marks, this is just my experience with the 6.5GRR from an AR plat form YMMV.