I got best velocity with ADI AR2206. A few of the manuals showed best velocity with it as well. Cant remember the weight ,I will see. What is the Hodgdon number for AR2206 ,it will be the same as 2206. I will try to find out.

UPDATE:

Hey guys,

Thanks for the info, I jotted it into my list of "things to try" in my reloading log book (I keep detailed notes on all loading and shooting for each gun).

I had some Alliant RL7 on hand and loaded up three cartridges with some 500gr Hornady RN bullets I had here too (don't want to use the Woodleighs yet - at a dollar each! - til I know the load is at least in the ballpark).

I browsed a number of loading manuals and came up with 64.0gr of RL7 as a place to start (with a CCI250 primer and WW brass). I used a firm crimp in the cannelure with the Lee factory crimp die and then hiked out to my little range next to the house where I can fire rounds over the chrono and test groups at 50 or 100 yds.

Using my old Burris 2x7 compact (Ruger #1 .458) over the picnic table at 50 yards (no sandbags, just elbows on table and a 4x4 under my left wrist as a support - so really not the steadiest of positions) I was pleased to get 7/8" and just about dead-on in the X-Ring without even having to adjust the scope. The chrono showed 2073, 2068 and 2075 respectively for velocities. The cases show no signs of pressure at all and they extracted easily. Recoil really wasn't that bad at all - even with factory recoil pad and shirtless when I fired the group.

This load is not even compressed, I can still hear the powder rattle in the case when I shake the round. The powder is approx 1/16" from the base of the bullet when seated. I'm obviously pleased to have lucked-out on my first loading with such an apparent winning combo. It also appears that 2100-2150fps is easily attainable with RL7 with probably just another .5 to 1.0gr of powder.

Haven't tried it in my M77 yet, but will let you know how the bolt gun likes this load in a later update.

This #1 hates cast bullets - very erratic due to it's .460" bore - but with jacketed rounds it really sings.