Accurate Arms Powder

[Brian the Brit]

A mate has suggested (on grounds of economy) that I try Accurate Arms powder instead of the VihtaVuori N140 that I've always used. Unfortunately there is no reloading data for this calibre on the Accurate Arms site.

Does anyone have any experience of this make of powder in .303 British? If so I'd appreciate advice re which powder to use (2520 or 2700?) and starting and maximum loads for a 174 grain spitzer bullet.

Can anyone point me to published data?

Brian

[dromia]

Try Here Brian:

http://www.accuratepowder.com/

40 gns of 2520 did it for my .303" rifles. 45 gns of 4350 was OK too but I thought it a bit slow for the .303".

I went to Accurate for cost reasons also and found it to be a most excellent propellant, however you can't get the bloody stuff up norff any more so I'm back onto the old Viht again, which I do have a fondness for.

However if I could buy Accurate again locally I would.

[Brian the Brit]

Thanks for the advice, Adam.

I have tried the link but can find no reference to .303 British in their loading data.

From memory, I think my mate's recommendation was around 40 grains of 2520 too. I'll check with him tonight.

The last tub of Vit N140 that I bought was £50 for 1 Kg (2.2 lbs) but I'm told it is more than £60 now due to increased transportation costs.

I've just had my FAC renewal inspection and, like Strangely Brown some months ago, am being 'required' to fit an alarm system to the house. More bloody expense.

Brian

[dromia]

Brian,

I got the data below off their web site:

.303 BRITISH

The .303 British was

the official military cartridge

of England and the

British Empire from 1888

until it was replaced by

the 7.62 NATO in the

1950’s. Originally a black

powder cartridge, the .303

British was loaded with

smokeless propellant after 1892. The original load for hunting used a 215 grain bullet and

developed a good reputation for effectiveness on large game in the Canadian wilderness.

Of the same general performance and design of the U.S. .30-40 Krag, the .303 British is

loaded to higher pressure levels making it better suited for handloading.

The SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure for the .303 British is 45,000 C.U.P.

.303 BRITISH

Gun DOUGLAS Max Length 2.222"

Barrel Length 24" Trim Length 2.202"

Primer CCI 250 OAL Max 3.075"

Case REM OAL Min 2.915"

START LOADS MAXIMUM LOADS Cartridge

Bullet Powder Grains Vel. Powder Grains Vel. C.U.P. Length Comment

180 (L) RNGC 5744 25.0 1983 5744 28.0 2159 40,700 2.930" LY311467

2015 34.2 2167 2015 38.0 2462 41,400 (.312 dia.)

2230 35.1 2164 2230 39.0 2459 42,500

2460 36.0 2182 2460 40.0 2480 40,600

2495 39.6 2226 2495 44.0 2529 39,500

2520 36.0 2154 2520 40.0 2448 40,300

4064 39.6 2220 4064 44.0 2523 38,700

2700 37.8 2035 2700 42.0 2312 41,400

4350 41.4 2026 4350 46.0 2302 36,000 Compressed

3100 41.4 1815 3100 46.0 2063 28,700 Compressed

8700 43.2 1434 8700 48.0 1630 26,500 Compressed

SPR 125 SP 5744 28.8 2322 5744 32.0 2639 45,600 2.870"

2015 41.4 2706 2015 46.0 3075 44,200

2230 39.6 2561 2230 44.0 2910 42,600

2460 41.4 2622 2460 46.0 2979 42,500

2495 43.2 2541 2495 48.0 2887 35,900 Compressed

2520 42.8 2657 2520 47.5 3019 44,800

4064 45.0 2599 4064 50.0 2954 38,100 Compressed

2700 45.0 2419 2700 50.0 2749 43,400

START LOADS MAXIMUM LOADS Cartridge

Bullet Powder Grains Vel. Powder Grains Vel. C.U.P. Length Comment

HDY 150 SP 5744 27.9 2123 5744 31.0 2413 45,000 3.010"

2015 36.9 2388 2015 41.0 2714 42,300

2230 38.7 2380 2230 43.0 2704 43,600

2460 39.6 2401 2460 44.0 2728 42,900

2495 41.4 2400 2495 46.0 2727 42,500 Compressed

2520 41.4 2437 2520 46.0 2769 45,000

4064 42.7 2424 4064 47.5 2755 40,500 Compressed

2700 43.2 2254 2700 48.0 2561 43,200 Compressed

4350 41.4 1984 4350 46.0 2254 30,100 Compressed

SRA 174 HPBT 2495 37.8 2196 2495 42.0 2496 42,300 3.075"

2520 35.1 2153 2520 39.0 2447 42,900

4064 36.0 2136 4064 40.0 2428 43,300

2700 38.7 2068 2700 43.0 2351 44,600

4350 41.4 2118 4350 46.0 2407 42,800 Compressed

3100 42.3 1870 3100 47.0 2126 34,900 Compressed

SRA 180 SP 5744 26.1 1926 5744 29.0 2189 44,900 3.000"

2015 34.2 2130 2015 38.0 2420 42,300

2230 36.0 2175 2230 40.0 2472 43,800

2460 36.5 2149 2460 40.5 2442 41,500

2495 39.6 2181 2495 44.0 2478 42,700

2520 39.6 2260 2520 44.0 2568 45,000

4064 40.5 2232 4064 45.0 2537 41,700

2700 41.4 2137 2700 46.0 2428 44,100

4350 41.4 2006 4350 46.0 2280 35,800 Compressed

3100 41.4 1797 3100 46.0 2042 30,800 Compressed

Try this link and click on .303 British.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/loaddata_ ... 311cal.htm

[goblinslayer]

I'm using 39gn of 2520 in my 303s.

It meters well, and gives me 2-3" groups out of my SMLE and No4 at 100yds.

In fact I bought all that the NRA had on the Saturday of the trafalgar meet :-)

[Brian the Brit]

Brilliant!

Thanks, Guys. That was exactly what I was looking for. Why the hell couldn't I find that page when I looked?

I'm using the 174 grain boat-tailed bullets from that Dutch (?) chap who was in the Bisley Pavilion entrance at the Trafalgar Fair. Should I use the load data for the Sierra HPBT bullet or the Sierra 180 SP? (Dumb question?)

I'm looking forward to trying this powder which I'm told, being spherical, meters better than Vit N140.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[goblinslayer]

Hehe the same bullets from the same dutch guy as me.

They are Privi Partizan bullets.

[Brithunter]

Hi Brian,

Err why are they requiring an Alarm?

I gather they will guarentee as response if you fit the alarm?

No I didn't think so

The HO advice from memory says when more than 12 firearms are kept condierration should be given to installing an alarm system. It does say that one is required. Been down that road several times now.

[Brian the Brit]

I picked up 1Kg of AA 2520 yesterday for £49.00 as opposed to £58 for Viht N140 so I was well pleased. £9 per Kg is quite a saving.

This evening I loaded some test rounds from 37 to 39 grains in .5 grain increments for my P14 and immediately noticed how much easier it is to meter the AA powder. Once set the powder measure consistently delivered the exact load without need for trickling.

I hope to find out how the loads compare tomorrow.

Dorset Police has a 'requirement' that shooters with more than six guns must have an alarm. Wiltshire Police appear to have a similar rule.

I know that I could argue the toss but is it worth it? We are very fortunate in Dorset to enjoy an excellent relationship with the Police and I'm fully aware that if they wanted to they could make variations etc difficult and bureaucratic.

Anything for a quiet life.

[dhtaxi]

I hear what you are saying but they shouldnt be trying to make it difficult they should just stick to what the law says not make it up to suit them selves. Each force is different and because of the situation we find ourselves in in the UK we put up with it.