Introducing the Absolute Hammer

[dougduey]

I tried the 123 AH with some faster powders in my 26" 6.5 CM T/C Encore. I loaded six rounds at .3 grain intervals ending at Quickload "near max" load for my specs. Results as follows:

IMR 3031: 3,031 fps @ 39.2 grains with no pressure signs. Blown primer @ 39.5 grains (3,052 fps). QL showed pressure of 61,700 for 39.5.
RL10X: 3,056 fps @ 35.0 grains with no pressure signs.
Varget: 3,022 fps @ 41.5 grains with no pressure signs.
CFE223: 3,178 fps @ 44.9 grains with no pressure signs. Blown primer @ 45.2 grains (3,208 fps). QL pressure for 45.5 grains was 58,883.
RL15: 3,174 fps @ 41.9 gr with no pressure signs. Blown primer @ 42.2 grain (3,205 fps). QL pressure - 60,365.

CFE223 and RL15 produced 200 fps speed bump with no pressure over the 130 Berger and 131 HH. I used QL to estimate max as published load data is not widely available for some of these powders with this bullet weight range. I recognize that I was pushing and in one case (RL 15) exceeded published book data, but none were indicated by QL to exceed SAAMI pressure for this round. My goal was to find pressure and I found it. I just did not expect to find it this way. Reading pressure can be problematic with the Encore, but I typically get minor primer cratering or flattening when I'm getting near max, but that was not the case today, I will shooting groups with CFE223 (44.9) and RL15 (41.9) tomorrow.

Great info. Kinda what I was thinking. I'm still betting 8208XBR will be good and Benchmark may be as well.

 

[dougduey]

Well durn! He slipped one in while I wasn't looking!

Steve is sneaky like tgat

 

[Gord0]

Edit: in reference to the 123 absolute.
Went to the garage and dumped some powder into a Lapua creedmoor case. Filled it to the neck shoulder junction, because that's close to where I would like powder fill. These powders are listed in slowest to fastest. We know R16 is way too slow for these. I ordered some shooters world precision rifle, which is close to varget, but who knows when that will be here. I left out CFE 223 and H335 because I want temp stable powders where I'm at. Hope this is helpful to some.
Creed case capacities to neck shoulder junction with Lapua brass.

R16 45gr
Varget 45.8gr
H4895 45.1gr
AR-Comp 43.6gr
IMR 8208xbr 47gr

 

[Gord0]

I think 8208xbr with it's small kernel size is going to be a little too fast. Ar comp is interesting, along with H4895, and I really want to check out that shooters world.

 

[19 Badger]

I love Varget (41.9) with the 110 Hammers in my 6.5cm. Gonna stuff some more Varget in my Lapua brass when I get around to loading the Absolutes. I am not ruling out IMR 4064(good stable powder). Shooters Precision had great results for my buddy's 6.5(140 bullets though). I would not rule out IMR 4064 either....

 

[Gord0]

I love Varget (41.9) with the 110 Hammers in my 6.5cm. Gonna stuff some more Varget in my Lapua brass when I get around to loading the Absolutes. I am not ruling out IMR 4064(good stable powder). Shooters Precision had great results for my buddy's 6.5(140 bullets though). I would not rule out IMR 4064 either....

I noticed shooters world precision load data lists higher charge weights than varget in general. Not sure if that means the powder is more bulky, or needs more volume. All I know is I have about a quarter pound of varget that has a price of 22.95 on the top . I can't find it anywhere, and don't use it, so I ordered the shooters world.

 

[dok7mm]

I have a gap in faster powders, between H-335 & 8208 and RL-16 & H-4350 & Hybrid 100V. Guessing Varget or perhaps H-380.

 

[Gord0]

I have a gap in faster powders, between H-335 & 8208 and RL-16 & H-4350 & Hybrid 100V. Guessing Varget or perhaps H-380.

I've got 8# of CFE 223 that will pop some primers for you in the summer and send bullets into the dirt at 100 in the winter with it's awesome temp stability. I'll sell it to you for cheap

 

[dok7mm]

I've got 8# of CFE 223 that will pop some primers for you in the summer and send bullets into the dirt at 100 in the winter with it's awesome temp stability. I'll sell it to you for cheap

That's a swell deal, but I have to decline your generosity. LMAO!

 

[Gord0]

That's a swell deal, but I have to decline your generosity. LMAO!

It's my emergency, emergency, emergency powder. If I ever go through the 16lb of wc844 I have, that I shoot about 1lb a year of...

 

[LVJ76]

I love Varget (41.9) with the 110 Hammers in my 6.5cm. Gonna stuff some more Varget in my Lapua brass when I get around to loading the Absolutes. I am not ruling out IMR 4064(good stable powder). Shooters Precision had great results for my buddy's 6.5(140 bullets though). I would not rule out IMR 4064 either....

IMR-4166(Enduron Powder) has been recommended a few times and IMR-4064 is pretry much the same but not temp stable, although 4064 isn't really sensitive, at least in my experience. So yeah, wouldn't rule it out.

I'm trying it along with RL17 on the 7mm 140's, well see what happens.

 

[dok7mm]

It's my emergency, emergency, emergency powder. If I ever go through the 16lb of wc844 I have, that I shoot about 1lb a year of...

By passing up your offer, I did find 8# of IMR 4064. I believe it's way less sensitive than your "emergency fall back".

 

[jimisbell]

I am glad I saw the comments on CFE. I thought the advertising on it looked intriguing and would have bought some if they had any for LRM, but they didnt. Now I am glad they didnt. THANK YOU.

 

[19 Badger]

I noticed shooters world precision load data lists higher charge weights than varget in general. Not sure if that means the powder is more bulky, or needs more volume. All I know is I have about a quarter pound of varget that has a price of 22.95 on the top . I can't find it anywhere, and don't use it, so I ordered the shooters world.
[/QUOTE]

We loaded up some Shooters Precision in my buddy's 6.5 with 140 eldms. At 40 grains of Shooters, we were still sub 2400fps. Loads were incredibly slow but all were all sub .5 moa with very consistent velocities, gonna give it a stiffer charge here in another week and see what it does.