6 ARC powder consensus for heavies in AR

[loclass]

I use 29.0 grains of Lever with 107 SMKs out of a 22" barrel for 2690 fps.

 

[TimK]

I use 29.0 grains of Lever with 107 SMKs out of a 22" barrel for 2690 fps.

Holy crap. I'm apparently way under!

 

[db2000]

Here’s a thread. There’s others too with load data.

Hornady 6 ARC data for Lever too hot?

I am trying to work up a load for Berger 108gr Elite Hunters with Lever for my 6 ARC bolt gun. They list a max of 31.2 gr and 2850 FPS out of a 24" bbl. At 30.6 gr I am getting 2746 FPS out of a 16" barrel and ridged primers, extractor marks, and heavy bolt lift.

www.snipershide.com

 

[db2000]

And when I say "N540 kind of surprised me", shooting ten round strings with a variety of powders loaded nowhere near max, N540 produced noticeably more consistent results (lowest SD/ES and tightest MR). Specifically I was using 26.5gr of N540 with 103 ELD-X and GM205MAR loaded to 2.245" COAL. But it's still kind of slow at 2350fps and might be worth playing around a bit with higher powder charges.

2350 is really slow vs LVR. Did you ever work the load up higher with N540 and 103s?

 

[Dogtown]

Nope. I've got three dfferent 6ARC rifles now, and every time I went down different roads with different powders, I somehow always found myself back to LVR. I think it's just that optimized for 6ARC - whether it be 103 ELD-X, 105 Hybrid, or 109 LRHT - short or longer barrel.

That being said, I am going to try N540 again with a new barrel I just installed, because I like to tinker.

 

[db2000]

I may tinker in this heatwave myself and get some LVR numbers on the 96F weather

 

[MarshallDodge]

I am also curious about N540. It has been a great powder for me in 223, using the 80 ELD and running them long - 2.50", 2880 out of a 26" Krieger

Anyone try N133? It's THE powder for the benchrest guys in 6PPC, but they run lighter bullets. I've used it with 77s in 223 and while you can probably get higher velocities with other powders, the SDs are single digit.

 

[db2000]

I am also curious about N540. It has been a great powder for me in 223, using the 80 ELD and running them long - 2.50", 2880 out of a 26" Krieger

Anyone try N133? It's THE powder for the benchrest guys in 6PPC, but they run lighter bullets. I've used it with 77s in 223 and while you can probably get higher velocities with other powders, the SDs are single digit.

There’s quite a bit out there all in agreement N133 not for heavies. N140 slow even from 22” barrel with Berger 108s. Like 200 fps slower than LVR from 18” barrel

 

[david walter]

I think the data shows lever, lever, and lever in no particular order.

 

[supercorndogs]

Cfe223 and 2520 are other ball powders worth mentioning.

 

[Gtscotty]

I've played with CFE223 some, and it seemed similar, but not really better in any way than my go-to LVR. It would be amazing if they could bring out a Staball powder that emulates LVR burn rate and density characteristics.

 

[stello1001]

N133 or N135 MIGHT work, keyword being MIGHT.

 

[david walter]

I have like 10 lbs of CFE223, and use it in my 6 ARC, but Lever gives more consistent results.

 

[MarshallDodge]

There’s quite a bit out there all in agreement N133 not for heavies. N140 slow even from 22” barrel with Berger 108s. Like 200 fps slower than LVR from 18” barrel

Good points. I do not yet own a 6ARC but am considering it, and would like to use the powders I have on hand.

After I asked my question, I put some info into GRT software to see how the numbers looked.

Case volume of 34.2 gr H20 and a 105 Berger Hybrid, tried to keep the load close to 55kpsi @70°F

18" barrel

23.6 N133
50°F 2445 FPS
90°F 2458 FPS
Slow, but the difference between the two temps is only 13FPS.

27.8 LeverRevolution
50°F 2575 FPS
90°F 2630 FPS
Base velocity is over 100 FPS faster than N133, but the temperature difference in velocity is more than four times N133 at 58 FPS.

26.6 N540
50°F 2516 FPS
90°F 2541 FPS
Delta 25. Better velocity than N133 with decent temperature characteristics.

It's a computer model, so take it for what it is worth.