Yeah, I like 2205…the guy in the LGS couldnt believe I was using it in .308…I don’t think he reloads anything other than a worm on the hook…Its great in various .30cal cast bullet loads, and .310 cadet
Interesting, I am not sure I’d be keen to try it in 308… But 310 is interesting. Any more details you’d like to share for 310? Like charge, bullet weight and velocity?
update
Facepalm, I use 2205 in 310 Cadet lol. Helps to look at own data before asking questions.
Mine is 125gr bullet with (a) 10gr and (b) 10.5gr of 2205 got me to 1470 and 1504 respectively.
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Without looking at my data book, I think 10.5 grains 2205 with of course CBE heeled bullet. I think the 310 thrives on high load density with 2205. But extraction dictates how hot you can go…I think a lot of 310 shooters give up too soon on 2205, because of the dreaded unburnt mess, it can leave behind. 2205 is not position sensitive. I’ve loaded it behind cast bullets in 6.5,303,308 and 3006 anywhere from 8gns to 24gns. I dont have a chronograph, but 8gns behind a 180gn cast bullet in.308 is definitely subsonic. Shot 1000s of them in a 50m service rifle match our local pistol club shoots, as they have a 600 joule energy limit. Most of them use 2205, but their rule of thumb is 7 or 8 gns of ANY fast burning pistol/shotgun powder, upto and including 2205, behind a cast bullet of 160gn plus, meets the 600 joule limit. They have been shooting this for years, never had any problems ever.
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I gave up with it in 310 cadet because of that exact reason. Lots of unburnt powder. But now that AP70N is gone I might have to go back to it.
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Sadly it gave the best accuracy in my 310 so I’m persisting with charge weight, different primers…etc…
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It’s funny how powders work in different cases. When playing around with reduced loads for lever gun silhouette, I’ve tried 2205 in a bunch of cases and found that it was quite position sensitive in the .38-55 but not in the .45-70. 20 grains behind a 370gr cast bullet in that was a very mild and accurate load in a 26" barrelled Marlin I had. I’d have to dig out the .38-55 data but it wasn’t a good powder for that case.
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Hmm interesting…as I say I’ve loaded a wide spectrum of weights with 2205 behind cast bullets, never ever had pressure problems. But I do have a full can of Trailboss to try…see what all the hype is about.
Never had pressure problems, just accuracy. There was a big difference in point of impact between having the powder back against the primer, forward against the bullet or level in the case. ( in the .38-55 )
The powder position in the .45-70 didn’t seem to matter, go figure.
We were chasing black-powder velocities without using B.P. The guns / cartridges we use were originally designed for that and regardless of whether they are modern or antique guns, they are still built off the same design. Bugger me if they aren’t found to be very accurate using B.P velocities.
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I’ve seen some amazing 50m groups with it out of a 6.5 Swede, for a short range service rifle match I used to shoot. Only 8gns 2205 behind a 150gn cast bullet.
Has anyone experimented with below minimum charge for 357 using 2205?
I want to standardise on 357 brass and load 2 charges, one 357 (I do 14gn, no change there); and one to download to 38Spc velocities, in 830 - 850fps ballpark.
Anyone tried that, reasonable starting point, gotchas, suggestions, etc.?
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Not in 357. I load 6gns AP70N at the minute. I have loaded only 7gns of 2205 in the 308 behind cast bullets, shoots good.
That load in the 308 must be pretty empty. I would much rather go with the 2206H for reduced loads in that case. You must be very close to the point of a secondary explosion.
Yeah 8gns works better. No pressure signs what so ever, shot 1000s of them, with the old pistol club. 2205 is the only rifle powder aside from Trailboss you can load light. I cant speak for jacketed bullets though. The local pistol club have been shooting 2205 cast loads like this for years, never had a problem. Their rule of thumb is 7 or 8gns behind a cast bullet of 150 plus gns, in any 30 cal or 6.5 swede for their 50m service rifle match. They have a 600 joule energy limit on the range.