What powder to copy the Hornady 123gr AMAX? What else would I need to do?

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

I would like to develop a load that would copy the off the shelf Hornady 123gr AMAX round so I can switch between my reloads and factory ammo if needed without jacking with my scope dope. I would assume I need a power to match the burn rate of what Hornady uses then match the FPS of the factory load? Anything else that needs to be done to try to match the two loads? I would assume that I could set my COL to about as long as I can fit in the mags and just make sure they chamber and I'd be okay?

Anyone know what powder I should be using to set this up?

[bwaites]

Hornady is using a powder and load specifically developed for the Grendel. It is believed to be along the lines of the Superperformance powder, but no one is actually willing to admit that it is the same powder recently released by Hodgdon as Superperformance. I intend on trying some, but it is shown to be fairly slow, closer to the 4831 line, used for Magnum and large cartridge loadings, than to the powders typically associated with the Grendel like BLC2, etc.

They tailored the burn rate, pressure curve, etc. specifically for the cartridge, supposedly.

Interestingly, the Leverlution powder is closer in burn rate to BLC2, but I haven't found either powder yet locally, so I don't know if they are ball or extruded, big or small, etc.

[rasp65]

Hodgdon has Leverevolution listed with its spherical powders.

[rg1]

The one round of my recently purchased and pulled 6.5 Grendel 123 A-Max had a flattened ball powder at about 29.8 grains. ONLY Hornady knows for sure which powder it is. Wasn't spherical or stick powder but again a flattened ball powder. I pulled one bullet just to see what type powder they used.

[GrantMan]

I think you might be on to something with the Leverevolution powder. I might have to experiment with that, if all fails I can use it with the 30-30

[bwaites]

It's an interesting option, I use TAC for reloading the 30-30, and it works well. Keeps me from having to buy another powder.

BUT....It will be interesting to see how much Leverlution powder you can get in a case!

[rasp65]

I was looking at the data for the 30-30 from the Hodgdon website. All of the top loads with LVR were compressed, no other powders top loads in their line up were shown compressed with bullets over 150 grs. I think it would be worth a try especially if you have a 30-30. It is rare that powder companies publish compressed load data for spherical powders. I would definately be interested in any more information about this powder.

[ctrmass]

I'm sure it's a canister powder/not available to the public.

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

So if we're not able to figure out what powder they are using, can you guys answer these questions?

1. Do I need to use a match grade primer or is a standard primers okay. I normally reload .223 in very high volume and use #41 primers from CCI. But also have on hand a good number of #40 from CCI. I assume this is not the ideal primer to use?

2. What powder would you suggest for highest accuracy? I'm going to branch out into long distance practical shooting matches and I'm looking at ranges of 250 to 875 yards.

3. Any other suggestions to maximize accuracy in this cartridge would be appreciated.

Thanks

[elfego baca]

I have tried two powders in my Grendel. The first was AA2230. Accuracy was ok but velocity was mediocre. I switched to AA2520 and get nearly 2500 ft/sec with 123 grain bullets either Sierra's HPBT or Hornady's A max out of a 24" barrel.