Hasenpfeffer

I want togive American Pioneer Powder (loose powder, not pellets) a try in my T/C Omega (28" barrel)behind 300 grain Shockwaves. Is APP FFG or FFFG more appropriate for this rifle and sabot weight? What would a maximum load be in each granulation?

Any advice from you inline guys would be greatly appreciated!

Paul
Albuquerque, New Mexico

frontier gander

FFG.

cayugad

I would also guess FFg is shooting sabots. But then your rifle will really know that answer.

lemoyne

I have used both in my Omega,it seems to like FFF for light bullets and light loads but works better with FF for heavy bullets and loads over 100gr. Lee

Hasenpfeffer

I'll be using 300 grain sabots for a cow elk hunt this winter.I used BM3 in the past and got excellent results, but Cabela's appears to have dropped BM3 from their catalog.I'vebeen wondering if APP would be a good, clean burningalternative. It sounds like APP FFG gets the initial nod for heavy bullets.

Paul

Hasenpfeffer

Does anybody have a favorite load using FFG APP and 300 grain bullets? I realize my rifle may or may not like someone else's pet load, but it's always worth a try.

While I'll be starting at 80 grains and working my way upward in 5 grain increments, can anyone give me a not-to-exceed load? I formerly used up to 120 grains of BM3 before Cabela's dropped BM3, but that got rather brutal, and I normally backed off to 100 to 105 grains where I had best accuracy.

Paul

mayguy

You will see a LARGE drop off in power with APP compared to BM3. BM3 is a little more powerful than 777 and APP is quite alot less than 777. I would say you would have to use, at least, 15% more APP to be equal your load of BM3, up to a max of 150 grs.
I didn't have very good accuracy,in my Omega, with APP (Jim Shockies Gold). It is very clean and seems to actually load easier and shoot more accurately with a fouled bore (no cleaning between shots).

lemoyne

In my Omega 125 -130FF groups best with 300gr SW and Speer Gold dots as well as the XTP. APP in my gun prefers a snug sabot for best velocity and accuracy, the crush ribs do not work well with it. Lee

oldrookie

My best load thus far has been a 300g xtp pushed with 90g of 777 2F loose powder. Not sure of your distance requirements, but this works well for me only needing 100 yards or so. I use the harvester crushed sabots and 777 primers.

Hasenpfeffer

Thanks for all the input, mayguy, lemoyne, oldrookie. Since mayguy says APP is a big step down in power compared to BM3, I may have to rethink using APP and go back to loose 777 2FG, crud ring or not. In the area in which Ihunt elk, cross valley shots up to 200 yards are not uncommon, and I needthe most punch and the most aerodynamic bullets possible. (Not that I like 200 yard shots... I will only take them under perfect conditions.) I think I have a partial can of 777 in the powder cabinet but probably should mosey down to Sportsman's Warehouse to pick up some fresh powder.