03-19-2022, 01:40 AM
(03-18-2022, 09:55 PM)GRH Wrote: While waiting for the omnipotent gods of shipping to bless me with parts to complete my upper, I have been powder modeling in an attempt to buy once, or at least weed the field.
Tac, W748, CFE223, Varget, A2520, BL-C2, LVR, H4350 and N540 all fall within acceptable parameters with expected give and take between them all.
As I usually find, Vihtavuori is the clear choice, but... times being the way they are and local availability being what it is I could not justify the cost even if I could find some.
I have no baseline yet to judge so I'll probably go with Tac Varget or W748, whichever I can get my mitts on first. Obviously there is no way to know what someones particular setup would actually like the best without trying.
If I saw some on the shelf with some extra cash in my pocket, I would absolutely love to try N540, but for now I have plenty of work to do first.
....in a previous post I detailed my pressure tests with W748 & 105 RDF's and 8208XBR & 70 Varmageddons. Both worked quite well and no pressure indications.
....if you load for other calibers with any of the powders you listed, and you have some on hand, it would be worth your time to test with it once you complete your build and before you purchase a powder "unseen". Hodgdon's "Load Data Center" has an extensive list of powder/bullet combinations you can refer to, pay particular attention to a powders pressure rating (shown for MAX charge).
...LVR & CFE right now are "generally" aknowledged as the "kings of speed" if that is your goal, but for some folks the other aspects (temp sensitivity, clean/dirty. etc) are factors in their consideration, YMMV.