Thread: AR2206H

For the last couple of months I've been using a particular 500gm bottle of AR2206H. Wasn't getting particularly good groups with my .308 and the recoil felt quite soft. Anyway put several of my loads of 45.3gr 150gr Sierra Pro Hunter past the Labradar chrono this morning and the velocity was only just hitting 2,500fps out of a 20" barrel. Something was wrong as I should be getting 2,800fps as I normally do with this powder.

Had a bottle of the same powder I bought at the Sika Show of a different batch number so loaded up 45.3gr of that, hit the range and the velocity averages 2,806fps for five shots (where it should be). Had this happen before with a lot AR2208 so not very happy about such a variation. I like AR powders but 300fps difference is ridiculous.

The batch number of the slow powder is MEM7041.

Bother.... just loaded a batch of development loads with that batch..

man, that is not on, i got a bottle 2 weeks back will check batch when i get home

Interesting, I use ADI 2208 and over the last few years have had 4 different batches.
I tend to buy about 15 to 20 kg at a time my son & I use 10 - 12 kg per season.

I've tested each new batch against the old and have found no statistical difference between batches.
I load 10 rounds of old batch, 10 of new batch, go the the range shoot each batch over the same distance allowing rifle to cool between shooting batches. The accuracy has been the same, the speeds have been statistically same - same average, ES and Std Dev.

Thats what I'd expect with a big selling powder like 2208 - I'd expect very similar properties between batches.
Of course, clearly different peoples experiences differ.

A friend told me today that the bigger jug containers 2kg, 4kg etc are those that meet all requirements when tested and those batches that don't quite measure up are sold in 500g bottles along with other good lots of the 500gms. Could be B/S or it may have some merit.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

A friend told me today that the bigger jug containers 2kg, 4kg etc are those that meet all requirements when tested and those batches that don't quite measure up are sold in 500g bottles along with other good lots of the 500gms. Could be B/S or it may have some merit.

I have "some" ADI AR 2225, it only comes in 500 gram bottles, it has the exact same batch numbers as a few 8lb Retumbo jugs I have.....

Mine is mem7078 guess it was just bad shooting last weekend haha

so does that amount in that case with that projectile = a different powder pretty closely???? is it perhaps NOT 2206????

That is completely unacceptable @10-Ring.

@Wingman had problems with his Creedmoor development with AR2009.

I saw significant variation in AR2009 with my Creedmoor, the second bottle I used was shit, dropped around 100fps from the 500g bottle I used for load development and the first hundred or so goats. So I asked Robert at Workshop Innovations to fix me up with 4kg from the same batch with a "tester" to make sure it was ok, all good. I'm 300 reloads down the track since then and every batch has been really close.

However, I don't really fully trust ADI because of that experience. Hence every time I set up for a 100 reloads, I do a fresh 5 shot chrono and drop test to double check, before I reload the rest.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

so does that amount in that case with that projectile = a different powder pretty closely???? is it perhaps NOT 2206????

ADI list AR2206 as 1.5gr less than AR2206H for slightly less velocity with a lot higher pressure. It is possible I suppose that the slow 2206H I have was subjected to high temperature or some other ill effect prior to purchase but I doubt it.

In future, every time I buy I new bottle of any ADI powder I'll not be so lazy and check it on the chrono.

Id you cant trust powder consistancy kinda pushing shit up hill,i just did a load development with 2206 h for my 16.5 inch 708 and was a bit disappointed at hitting pressure signs and only getting 2600 with 139 sst, might try 2208 and a bix of 150 eldx

my old 1996 adi manual has 2206 with 150 grn pill at 43 grns for 2820 BUT its a 24" barrel so deducting...???...40???fps per inch would give 160fps reduction to 2660fps.
so what you getting isnt ideal but not completely out of ball park.

Used that batch of powder today for some test loads. Case full gave good accuracy in the 16" 308 and seemed quieter than the H335 I've use in the past. Also shooting slightly higher than max load of H335? No chronograph so no idea what the speeds actually were.

and thats the kicker....without a chrony....it doesnt matter. if it shoots accurately and you can get it on target it wont make a fig of difference UNTILL you stretch barrel out past about 300 yards.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

my old 1996 adi manual has 2206 with 150 grn pill at 43 grns for 2820 BUT its a 24" barrel so deducting...???...40???fps per inch would give 160fps reduction to 2660fps.
so what you getting isnt ideal but not completely out of ball park.

2600 fps was at 42.5gn and giving me 0.5 moa(four shots), i got flat primers and ejector marks at 43.5gn@2690 but it was grouping badly.
It will do the trick but i was hoping for 2700