What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

[rbadgett2]

I have been a using Reloader powders for some time, but have noticed they are very temperature sensative. I have not done any research or tracking to see how much it effects velocities, but I'm sure it does. Does anyone have any data to back this up? Also, would you recommend another powder to use in it's place for 338LM?

bcs

 

[GrantB]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

Don't know about the other Reloader powders but I have an extensive spread sheet that has 800 plus rounds logged in temps ranging from 10 to 100 and the rate of change for Reloader 17 is 1.98 fps/deg.

 

[turbo54]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

In GENERAL:

Speed!
Temperature sensitivity

For 338, H1000 and Retumbo work well, as do H4350 and H4831 for lighter bullets at lesser velocities.

 

[Rookie]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

No data but I can say that RE25 is temp sensitive. I have a summer load and a winter load. However, even my summer load begins to show pressure signs after a few rounds fired quickly in matches.

 

[jbell]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

I am running RL15 in a 308 and see a big change with a 50f swing in air temp.

 

[rbadgett2]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

Thanks for the info. Increase in velocity also means increase in pressure. The load I used this past winter is now making my bolt stick. Rather than two loads I'm thinking maybe I'll just find another load with a powder that maybe isn't so temp sensative.

 

[bward]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

Stick to the good Hodgdon powders and you'll be a lot better off. 8208, varget, 4350, and H-1000 have all served me well and exhibit good temp stability.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

I use R22 in a 25'06Ackley and have never had a problem. I think it's because I do not load hot, in the first place. I find out, what is my absolute limit as far as pressure. Then, I back off somewhere around 1.5 and two grains and that seems to make allowances for temperature swings. At that point, if I need to play with the exact charge weight, it is in very small increments. Then, I'm done, no changes winter or summer but I always check where my zero is, to allow for altitude and ambient temperatures. I have never had a sticky bolt, or even a flattened primer with this gun, used strictly for hunting, and which has killed a lot of coyotes in the past ten years.

If you dial in a safe load, you won't have to worry about temperature sensitivity...and by the way, the reason I use R22 is because I get almost 200fps over H4831 or W760 and without pressure signs. And, I am still using the original five pounds as this is not a high volume application. BB

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bcsres</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been a using Reloader powders for some time, but have noticed they are very temperature sensative. I have not done any research or tracking to see how much it effects velocities, but I'm sure it does. Does anyone have any data to back this up? Also, would you recommend another powder to use in it's place for 338LM?

bcs </div></div>

I'm in Miami, so temperatures are pretty stable from 75*-90* for most of the year.

For 338LM, I like H-4831sc and VV-165, with H-1000 and VV-170 right behind them. I have some RL-25 that many love, but try those other 4. Retumbo is another one, if you can find it.

Chris

 

[rusty815]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

I use reloader powders exclusively. I have found that the temp sensitivity depends on a lot of factors, when I fire heavy bullets from my 300wsm, the temp swings aren't as bad as with the lighter bullets. I can say that RL-17 is more temp stable than RL-19, and burns cleaner to boot. I've yet to have an issue with RL-17 and temp sensitivity with 200gr.+ bullets.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

RL15 is great powder as far as accuracy goes. But it is very dirty and extremely temp. sensitive. Shot in the field for the whole day. Went from 40deg. to 75 deg. and gained 100 fps. Drove me crazy until I figured out what was going on. Hope this helps.

Regards, Paul.

 

[jbell]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

So on the note of the RL15 (and the other RL powders) being so temp sensitive what is a good alternitave. I find the RL15 is more accurate than Varget and if the pressure is high enough it is pretty clean, its no Vhitavuori but its pretty clean. I can get good velocity with the RL15 but am running right on the edge of pressure and a slight swing in temp could spike it, I found that out the other day. I have been thinking about some of the "newer" powders out like the 8028 XBR and the 2000-MR. What are others thoughts and findings?

 

[244]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

Alliant's Power Pro series and Accurate's AA2200 and AA2460 are "high energy" powders made by St. Marks Powder and are designed for less temperature sensitivity than standard ball powders.

PP 2000 MR has been tested by other Hide members with good results: HERE

 

[Jeffvn]

Re: What is your experiance with Reloader Powders

RL-25 worked awesome in my 7WSM, and RL-15 in my .308 when in Houston, TX.

RL-25 didn't like the desert in Las Vegas for a year-round load, so I switched out to H1000, H4831SC for the 7WSM.

Jeffvn