Thread: Belmont rifle powder 763

Originally Posted by 57jl

It is made in the st marks powder factory where Winchester ball powders are made and so i would think you could use 760 reloading data as a base to work from do a ladder test

I definitely WOULD NOT recommend this course of action.

SMP763 is VERY different to 760. Go to the Alliant website and look at the Power Pro 2000 MR loads - this stuff shines in heavy for caliber in 308. It works alright in heavy 223 stuff as well. I think @Pommy is closer to the mark comparing it to 2208 in purpose, but DEFINITELY NOT LOAD DATA!

I had a go with it in my 6.5 Creedmoor as Sierra list it with 85 and 100 grain bullets at high velocities. I did a workup to start with loading 85s as I was also inherently cautious about whether it absolutely is Power Pro 2000 MR under a different brand/packaging. I would also support the notion that it is erratic in the application I tried it.

The usual approach of reducing 10% from Maximum and working up produced weird results - the first few rounds didn't obturate properly. There was soot all over the case and bolt face. It wasn't until I got to less than 5% of max that I got proper obturation. It would often group 2 rounds closely then for a third 50 to 80mm away. I didn't get to chrono them at the time, but from the recoil alone they had to be shifting. I have shot these same projectiles with 2206, 2208 and Trail Boss and they will reliably punch 10 to 20mm groups despite the vast journey to the lands in a Creedmoor!

The rifle is definitely not in question as it will predictably put 123 to 143 bullets in to tiny clusters in a boring fashion.

The characteristics of this powder suggest that it might work relatively well for you @Marty Henry i.e. heavy for calibre with low to moderate case capacity for bore size