Powder selection for gas operated semiautos

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13 years 8 months ago #6795 by 30CalFun
Powder selection for gas operated semiautos was created by 30CalFun
Recently I was told that both Varget and Alliant 2000 MR are not suitable powders for a semi-auto as they can build up very high port pressures and can damage a semiauto rifle. I have used Varget in other semi-autos, and it seemed to do fine. Could somebody please shed some light on this. Also, if you have any other good powders to try (Reloader 15?) please pass that info along if you would. I am trying to develop a load for an Armalite SASS.

I am also trying to figure out if I can use the Alliant 2000 MR in my 30-06 bolt gun, but have not been able to find any load data for this combo yet.

Thank you in advance.

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13 years 8 months ago #6798 by Scaup58
Replied by Scaup58 on topic Re:Powder selection for gas operated semiautos
I think the slow powder issue is more of an M1, M1A thing as higher pressure at the gas port can bend the op rod. In 7.62 Stoner designs the most you'd get is bent case rims from the extractor. I use RL-15 and IMR 8208XBR both with good result. I haven't tried Varget yet but many use it with their 7.26 and 5.56 AR's with good result. I get 2600 with 168 gr. A-max's with 8208XBR out of my AR10C4 and it's 16" barrel. Best accuracy happens at 2540 though.

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13 years 8 months ago #6801 by Rifleshooter
Replied by Rifleshooter on topic Re:Powder selection for gas operated semiautos
Those powders are fine an AR. As is R-15. 42gr of r-15 behind a 168 SMK is sierra's accuracy load. R-15 is the propellant in the military's M118 special ball ammo, or so I've read.

As said, can be a problem with the closed gas system of the M1 garand.

Check out this site. www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm

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13 years 8 months ago #6824 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Re:Powder selection for gas operated semiautos
I've had no issues using varget in my SA .308s. My biggest gripe with it is that it doesn't meter as well as ball powder. Lately, I've been using IMR 4895 and gotten very good results.

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13 years 8 months ago #6870 by MikeS.
Replied by MikeS. on topic Re:Powder selection for gas operated semiautos
I use Varget in both 7.62 and 5.56 ARs.

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13 years 8 months ago #6878 by koh
Replied by koh on topic Re: Powder selection for gas operated semiautos
I use Varget for all most everything anymore.
It will work perfectly fine in an AR10 and in your 06 bolt gun as well.

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13 years 7 months ago #7104 by gungrinner
Replied by gungrinner on topic Re: Powder selection for gas operated semiautos
I mentioned in a previous post that i use Win 748.... I recommend to NOT use IMR 4064 powder. It had gummed up my match trigger assembly.

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