1st Date with Shooters World “Match Rifle”

[Harpoon1]

Here’s some data from my first attempt with SW “Match Rifle”. For those that are unfamiliar, this is “supposedly”, the original A2520 formula manufactured by Lovex in the Czech Republic before Western Powders changed manufacturers and started importing the “New” A2520 from Canada. Or at least that’s how I understand it. Any corrections are welcome.

First hurdle was, I had heard that the “new” Western Powders Canadian manufactured A2520 was a “watered down” version of the original formula. However, where the load data overlaps the new formula from Western Powders has a much lower max charge than the supposed “hotter” original formula from Shooter World. Go figure. There’s a lesson there somewhere............

I tried 3 different weight bullets, Nosler 90 Varmegeddon BT, Hornady 123 BTHP and finally the Sierra 130 GameChangers.

“Match Rifle” is a Shooters World powder, so I went with their data to start with. Their load data begins with 120 grain bullets, and go up to 140 grains. The “new” A2520 from Western Powders starts with 85 grn bullies, goes up to 123 grns. I chose to start where they overlap at 123 grns and see where it takes us.

The SW data used Sierra 123 BTHP, I substituted a Hornady 123 BTHP. Used Starline brass, per the SW data, my choice of CCI #41 primers and a 2.260” COAL. I could find no reference for the primer or barrel length used in the SW data.

All charges were dispensed with a Chargemaster Lite, and generally, most often are +/- .1
These are all single shots through a Howa 20” HB recorded with a Magnetospeed Sporter
Atmosphere was more or less a “Standard” day, 60f here at sea level.
The first 7 shots are in .3 increments, to cover some initial ground, the remainder are in .2 increments.

The SW data with the Sierra 123 BTHP starts at 25.0 grns and up to 31.5 grns. Giving us a large 6.5grn window, interesting for such a smalll cartridge.

Here we go......

Grns/ FPS

1. 26.0/ 2128
2. 26.3/2134
3. 26.6/2162
4. 26.9/2219
5. 27.2/2217
6. 27.5/2300
7. 27.8/2284 (last of the .3 increments)
8. 28.2/2309
9. 28.4/2350
10. 28.6/2373
11. 28.8/2378
12. 29.0/2426
13. 29.2/2434 (29.1 is Hornady MAX w/A2520, 123 ELD-M, 2.245 COAL @ 2450 / 20” AR)
14. 29.4/2458
15. 29.6/2494 (Western Powders MAX w/A2520, 123 Sierra 123 BTHP, 2.260 COAL @ 2491/ 20” AR)
16. 29.8/2503
17. 30.0/2535
18. 30.2/2516
19. 30.4/2533
20. 30.6/2574
21. 30.8/2534
22. 31.0/2599 (Fastest, and also the largest spike in the test, 65 FPS)
23. 31.2/2536 ( back down 63 FPS, getting interesting)
24. 31.4/2595 ( back up 59 FPS)
25. 31.6/2595 (31.5 is SW LIsted MAX Charge @ 2629 FPS and 51,389 PSI)

So, as you can see, once we get above about 30.4 grns, things start getting a little “hinky”, little “erotic”.

However, the brass remained pristine, with absolutely no signes of any pressure. Zero.
If you threw them in a pile, you be hard pressed to pick which ones were fired where. I went over them with a magnifying glass and flashlight, couldn’t find anything. And yes, I get it’s a low pressure cartridge, and normal pressure signs don’t present until you’be exceeded the SAAMI specs, but there was nothing observable but clearly those last 5,6,7 charges showed your “going off the reservation”.

I’m sure I forgot some pertinent information, I’ll edit it as needed. Wondering if I should just tack on the other data here, or start new threads? Suggestions?

[Constitutionalist]

Thanks a lot! Just picked up 8lb. I use the 123gr. SST, 123gr. Nosler CC and just picked up some 100gr BTs and some 90gr Varms. Looking forward to getting some loaded. Unfortunately I'm working 7-12s with an hour drive each way. It's going to be a while before I get back to the load bench.

Looking forward to seeing how the lighter bullets work.

Thanks again!

John

[Arkhangel5]

Thx for the data, H1

SY

[41bear]

Great work, thanks.

[jasper2408]

Here is a chart of your data Harpoon1. Primitive on my end but it works to help visually sort it out.

[Harpoon1]

Jasper

That’s awesome, thanks.

[grayfox]

How does this string compare with say 123's and CFE or AR Comp, or XBR in your howa? I say this just to get a feel for how the barrel performs. Once you start getting above 2510-50 or so in a 20" for this weight class, IMO you're approaching or exceeding max. Just an opinion though.
I had some 123's going 2510-20 with CFE out of a 20" HB, and some 120 PH up about 2550, likewise for 120 gold dots... approx's because I don't have that rifle any more.
Anyway, nice test.
One more thing, is that a reversal about 30.0 or 30.6, where MV drops like that -- that can also be a sign you're getting to a max.

Did any of the loads feel compressed?
I like graphing results too...

[centerfire]

What was your COAL? That looks like very similar load data to A2520. Almost identical in fact.

[Harpoon1]

What was your COAL? That looks like very similar load data to A2520. Almost identical in fact.

Whoops........2.260 COAL.

[Harpoon1]

How does this string compare with say 123's and CFE or AR Comp, or XBR in your howa? I say this just to get a feel for how the barrel performs. Once you start getting above 2510-50 or so in a 20" for this weight class, IMO you're approaching or exceeding max. Just an opinion though.
I had some 123's going 2510-20 with CFE out of a 20" HB, and some 120 PH up about 2550, likewise for 120 gold dots... approx's because I don't have that rifle any more.
Anyway, nice test.
One more thing, is that a reversal about 30.0 or 30.6, where MV drops like that -- that can also be a sign you're getting to a max.

Did any of the loads feel compressed?
I like graphing results too...

I mostly shoot lighter, hunting bullets out of the Grendel bolt guns, 90-100 grns up to 120 Gold Dots. I have shot the 123 BTHP out of the Howa before but very little. I can’t the find the data but it would have mostly likely been with TAC and I don’t recall the speeds. I generally only use 8208 with lighter bullets, say with 107’s and less. Almost no experience with AR-Comp, still have nearly a full pound of it left. Have used plenty of CFE 223 but again can’t put my hands on any data, I find it dirty and very temperature sensitive. I tried PP 2000 MR w/120 Gold Dots looking for more speed and both times, I never got close to what Speer claims they did. Like - 200+ FPS less, both tests. Love their bullets but not their data. Had some other issues with their data and other calibers, the 6.5x55 Swede to be specific. Anyway, think I’m going to try the Gold Dots next with this powder.

I agree, when you see the MV drops like that, and the see-sawing, it’s trying to tell you something.

And no, the loads weren’t overly compressed, if any. Well up into the shoulder but don’t remember any intrusion into the neck. And I didnt need to use a drop tube or have to vibrate the cases. I remember thinking that was going to be an issue because Western Powders shows their 29.6 grn max load as compressed and this went 2 grns above that. Different cases though. I don’t think I even had to adjust the seating die there at the end to keep all of COAL in spec.

A little spoiler alert! I feel it performed better, much better with 130 grn GameChangers. Typically don’t shoot that heavy a bullet out of the Grendel’s anymore. If I feel the need, I just shove them in the Creedmoor. I tried them here because that weight bullet fell right in the middle of the Shooters World data. And I’m glad I did! Shot 3 shot groups and it was extremely well behaved with nice predictable, reasonable increases in speed. Along with very reasonably ES/SD. The max charge of 31.0 grns averaged 2525 FPS with 13 ES/6.6 SD. Of course that was only 3 shots too. Looking forward to trying them again in the CZ this time. It’s got a little more mag room to play with and 4 more inches of barrel. Could get interesting.