Thunderbird T322 Powder

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shooter115

Guest
Recently picked up three 8lb sealed jugs of the acclaimed T322 powder at the auction stickied at the top of this page. Has anyone here ever used it to load .223? Getting powder locally is still a big issue and while this will work, looks like it's a little fast to get the velocity I want. Right now I'm getting 3080fps with H335 and 55gr bullets out of an 18" barreled AR and would like to stay there. I know the purists here are probably shaking their heads about the notion of using this powder in .223. Especially in an AR for 3-gun competition, but beggars can't always be choosers. Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
I don't think you will have a problem using 322 in that case. Don't know how it will shoot but I used the same in a .222 1/2 and it did very well. Don't blame me if it blows up though.
 
Wilbur said:
I don't think you will have a problem using 322 in that case. Don't know how it will shoot but I used the same in a .222 1/2 and it did very well. Don't blame me if it blows up though.
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Well I'm not too worried about blowing anything up......lol. I've been doing this a long time and done quite a bit of research already and I'm fairly confident that I'll get get good groups with 55gr bullets at modest velocity for my 3-gun rig and more than likely better results with the 50gr Vmax bullets I use for predator hunting. I understand there's certain amount of prominence with this powder, that's why I came here for info. Please note that I'm also a bench shooter and have been a member here since 2009 even though I haven't posted much. I just don't do 100yd benchrest with the favored 6PPC cartridge, so I'm taking this powder out of where it really shines just to get by in another venue, because I can't find what I want.

It sucks for me that I'm looking at using something sacred to the short range BR community to use for more or less blasting ammo. If someone local would trade me pound for pound with H335, TAC or Varget, I'd be all over it.
 
I hope I am remembering the following correctly from what was told to me by Walt Berger. We talked about his Tbird dealings many times. There were two major lots of Tbird according to Walt, three actually total, but he only used and sold two. One of those two was better suited for the benchrest application because the latter was dirtier. You may find that dirt problem with an AR according to which AR build you have. Alliant AR-COMP will probably be best for most AR applications.

BTW, would you be willing to tell what you paid for that jug?
 
JerrySharrett said:
I hope I am remembering the following correctly from what was told to me by Walt Berger. We talked about his Tbird dealings many times. There were two major lots of Tbird according to Walt, three actually total, but he only used and sold two. One of those two was better suited for the benchrest application because the latter was dirtier. You may find that dirt problem with an AR according to which AR build you have. Alliant AR-COMP will probably be best for most AR applications.

BTW, would you be willing to tell what you paid for that jug?
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From my understanding there were three 21,000lb lots of 8208 surplus powder, the best of the three lots was re-branded as T322. I purchased the three sealed I have jugs at auction for $100 a jug.
 
shooter115 said:
From my understanding there were three 21,000lb lots of 8208 surplus powder, the best of the three lots was re-branded as T322. I purchased the three sealed I have jugs at auction for $100 a jug.
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Walt said there were 3 21,000# lots. For $100/jug you got a very good deal. I wish I lived close enough to pick some up!!!
 
shooter115 said:
From my understanding there were three 21,000lb lots of 8208 surplus powder, the best of the three lots was re-branded as T322. I purchased the three sealed I have jugs at auction for $100 a jug.
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You could prolly sell those for $300 a piece..................
 
zippy06 said:
You could prolly sell those for $300 a piece..................
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If I could sell them for that I'd be all over it, but I'd rather trade for (3) 8lb jugs of H335. Trouble is I don't really know anyone around here that does short range benchrest or shoots 6PPC. Most folks in this neck of the woods shoot 300/600 yard BR, mostly with 6BR derived cartridges. Plus I don't know anyone with a hazmat license that could ship it.
 
shooter115 said:
If I could sell them for that I'd be all over it, but I'd rather trade for (3) 8lb jugs of H335. Trouble is I don't really know anyone around here that does short range benchrest or shoots 6PPC. Most folks in this neck of the woods shoot 300/600 yard BR, mostly with 6BR derived cartridges. Plus I don't know anyone with a hazmat license that could ship it.
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$300 a jug would be a bargain. There are folks that can make that stuff walk and talk. ie- win big matches!
 
R.G. Robinett said:
Charlie, I have about 1/2 Lb. of that stuff left - I'll trade it for 200 Lb. of cores! :p:eek: RG
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LOL, I'm not one that can make it walk and talk, but I had Ed Watson shooting beside me at Rachels Glenn , he was shooting like a mortal human being, just sort of hanging in there. Next thing you know his gun was so loud I asked what the hell load you got in that thing, he said" T, I'm not going to save it any more", (he had cancer at the time). Well he went from mortal to superman. Saw it with my own eyes.
 
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