Looking for 90 TNT and 120 Gold dot load reconmendations

[grendelnubi]

I have done research and well I can not come to a decision on which powder to use.

The GD 120 will be my new hunting bullet that I will try on pigs first then deer.
90 TNT will be a varmint and pigs.

Velocity and accuracy is king for both of these. Some of my pig shots is out past 200 yards, they are tough little critters.

Looking for recommendations for both 90 TNT and 120 Gold Dots for my AR's (12.7, 16, 18).

Powders available:
8208, AR Comp, AA2520, X-Term, BLC (2).

Favoring the AA2520, X-Term and possibly BLC due to not having any loads with these powders right now and their ability to make a little higher velocity than 8208 and AR Comp, but will entertain all recommendations.

This is where I am currently;

90 TNT
Coal: 2.19
8208 29 - 31.7grs (Speer load)


120 Gold Dot
Coal:2.25 - 2.26
AA2520 27 - 29.7 (Western load for 120 SIERRA HPBT)

Let me know what you think.

[65GbySeven]

27.8 ARC with Gold Dot
29.2 H322 with 90 TNT.

Both worked well in multiple Grendel's, 12, 16, 18. Both with Hornady Brass and CCI 450.

I tried BLC with 129 Interlock and SST. ARC was faster with similar groupings.

[grendelnubi]

ARC is my grendel go to powder. I have a little less than 3lbs left. I may load a few with ARC to test however. Thanks for your reply

[rickt300]

ARC is excellent and I have also used a lot of BLC(2) with good results.

[White Smoke]

31.0 grains of WC844 (military surplus - H335 equivalent) 2622 f/s velocity and 0.22" group at 100 yards

[Mad Charlie]

ARC is excellent and I have also used a lot of BLC(2) with good results.

With which of the two bullets being discussed? Some more detail would be much appreciated.

[Mad Charlie]

31.0 grains of WC844 (military surplus - H335 equivalent) 2622 f/s velocity and 0.22" group at 100 yards

Barrel length? Brass? Primer? Rifle? I lost my crystal ball somewhere.

[grendelnubi]

I went out today in rainy conditions to shoot my IMR 8208, 120 GD load test and these are the results. Started seeing pressure signs, flat primers and ejector smears and overall really gnarly looking brass at 27.2 and up.
Best group was 1.1" at 27.5 (2301 FPS). Before pressure signs developed I believe the fps is a little slower than I was expecting. More work needs to be done before I can come to a high confidence load. The pressure signs were highest I have ever seen and felt recoil was also greater so I know the loads were hot.

3 shot group at 100 yards
120 Gold Dot with a 2.255 coal
16" Anderson Arms barrel
Hornady Brass with cci 450 primers
26.3 - 27.6 IMR 8208
Lab radar chrono to get the FPS numbers.

Load ---- 26.30 - 26.60 - 26.90 - 27.20 - 27.50 - 27.60
Avg FPS -- 2211 - 2231 - 2273 - 2290 - 2301 - 2324

[Happy2Shoot]

I went out today in rainy conditions to shoot my IMR 8208, 120 GD load test and these are the results. Started seeing pressure signs, flat primers and ejector smears and overall really gnarly looking brass at 27.2 and up.
Best group was 1.1" at 27.5 (2301 FPS). Before pressure signs developed I believe the fps is a little slower than I was expecting. More work needs to be done before I can come to a high confidence load. The pressure signs were highest I have ever seen and felt recoil was also greater so I know the loads were hot.

3 shot group at 100 yards
120 Gold Dot with a 2.255 coal
16" Anderson Arms barrel
Hornady Brass with cci 450 primers
26.3 - 27.6 IMR 8208
Lab radar chrono to get the FPS numbers.

Load ---- 26.30 - 26.60 - 26.90 - 27.20 - 27.50 - 27.60
Avg FPS -- 2211 - 2231 - 2273 - 2290 - 2301 - 2324

Speer says max powder charge is 25.4 grains.

[grendelnubi]

I understand but that would put my velocity of what, 2000 - 2100 fps. This FPs is what my 12" is running with heavier projectiles. Haven't tries these GD in it them yet but I should just for a benchmark.

I believe the gun is over-gassed and this could be contributing to my results. I just started load development with this setup and I've been catching my brass so I don't know exactly where the brass is getting thrown too but I will investigate before continuing load development using this barrel.

[Happy2Shoot]

I don't know what to tell you. Gold Dots are a gummy bullet that raises pressure more than cup and core bullets. If you want more speed try Alliant Power Pro 2000; it is about 200 fps faster.