Ya think……. That’s why I was asking on here. I put that I don’t have any brass yet. I was asking what others have measured. That’s how these threads work.
Correct, but not all dies or brass are created equal. I have several dies that resize my necks to different tension, same die brand and model... same bullets I'm using and the expander is removed. That's why I said, "you'll have to measure" that's how reloading works
Played with some 245 Bergers tonight at 600 yards. Definitely like the consistency. Hopefully things will tighten up even more with fired brass.
Berger 230H
83.5 Retumbo
Lapua brass (virgin)
FGMM215M
2904fps
SD: 11
.012 off the lands
Velocity is on a brand new 26" 9-twist heavy palma Bartlien barrel - 16rds down it. Produced 1.4" groups at 360y.
83.5 Retumbo
Lapua brass (virgin)
FGMM215M
2904fps
SD: 11
.012 off the lands
Velocity is on a brand new 26" 9-twist heavy palma Bartlien barrel - 16rds down it. Produced 1.4" groups at 360y.
Last edited:
So to summarize which is the superior powder for the 300 Norma using the 230's , would I be correct on Retumbo, H1000 and or RL26?
Any input on which I should focus my hunt for in the way of powder. I have all 3 on hand, but use all 3 on other calibers.. robbing Peter to pay Paul
Any input on which I should focus my hunt for in the way of powder. I have all 3 on hand, but use all 3 on other calibers.. robbing Peter to pay Paul
I would say Retumbo, H1000, RL33 and IMR 8133 are all powders you can trust for 300 Norma. I am running IMR 8133 due to it being very similar to Retumbo with better availability. Or at least it did have better availability.
I've only used N570 with 245 Bergers and 250 A-Tips and could not be happier with the speed and accuracy. As long as I have it, I will not need to look at any other powder, unless N568 somehow reaches me.
That's what I was thinking. I'm running a Warbird and 338 Norma using Retumbo, just want to ensure I have enough powder for those two as well.
I’ve used RL33, H1000 and 8133. N570 is for me the winner. H1000 was really the most accurate of the 4 but N570 seems to be made for 300 Norma with heavy bullets. Others swear by other powders and that’s obvious because all rifles are different. At this point it’s what you can get and/or what works for you
I will 2nd this. Consistently hitting 3000 fps and no pressure signs with 250 A-Tips and 245 Bergers with a 26" barrel and accuracy out to a mile has been great. Haven't even started using fireformed brass yet, so things should tighten up even more.
I know it’s tough but gotta be patient when it comes to powder (these days anyway). I waited for months and checking every day until I got lucky. My groups tightened up a bit with N570 after my Lapua brass was fire formed. Every once in a while I’ll charge a few with H1000 just to see and while they print nice groups I lose a lot in speed and see some REALLY flat primers. No pressure issues with 570. I can’t speak for everyone else but I’ll never use Norma brass with 570 ever again
Just to add a little more information, I've successfully worked up a load using Ramshot LRT. I'm using 94.9gr under a 225gr ELD-M and seeing velocities in the 3050-3100fps range with a 27" barrel, and no pressure signs. Since LRT seems easier to find these days I went ahead and bought 5lbs more. I have 1lb of Retumbo so once I use up the LRT I may try that.
Thanks for the report, I have seen a lot of Ramshot for sale. I may need to do that. How's the temp stability , I have done zero research on that powder
I haven’t done enough work in temp swings to have a strong report on that yet. Ramshot themselves do not call it a “temperature insensitive” powder which usually requires extrusion, but they say their powders generally only change 3-5% from -40F to +125F.
Hi, I think I went through this entire thread before posting-so forgive if I’m this has already been answered:
Is there any data on using RL-26 for 300NM? Or is it too fast?
I am gathering parts for a new build and it is the slowest burner I have on hand. (Well I have some 4831SC still too). I’m BOLO for H1000 and Retumbo of course.
Thanks
Is there any data on using RL-26 for 300NM? Or is it too fast?
I am gathering parts for a new build and it is the slowest burner I have on hand. (Well I have some 4831SC still too). I’m BOLO for H1000 and Retumbo of course.
Thanks
Looks like it's probably too fast. Even with the 215s and a case fill % of less than 93%, it's still way up there in pressure.
N570 is my favorite powder this cartridge with a wide variety of bullets, but it's also hard to get. For Alliant powders, RL25 & RL33 are better fits.
N570 is the only powder I've tried in the Norma. Wanted some speed with heavy projectiles (245-250gr) and I've had no reason to look elsewhere since. I do have some N565 that I may play with in the spring but unless it keeps my speed within ~20 fps and lowers my ES by a margin enough for me to care about, I don't think I'll be switching.
I think RL 26 and N565 are very close, and I believe it was even designed specifically for the Lapua size cases but I have only heard of it being used with heavier bullets. Vihtavuori does have load data for it on their website.
As far as how this translates to RL 26 I'm not sure but it's very close to H1000 and N565 on the burn rate chart.
I used N565 for a bit, but N570 is just better overall. For lighter bullets around the 190-210gr range I got good performance, but it was still on the hot side. N570 gave me better velocity and safe pressure.
LITZ LOADS VIHTAVUORI N565 POWDER FOR NIGHTFORCE ELR STEEL CHALLENGE WIN
25.06.2021Congratulations to Bryan Litz for winning the 2021 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge. Litz outshot 200+ competitors engaging both stationary and moving steel targets ranging from 700 yards to over 1.2 miles (2,100+ yards).
Litz’s winning firearm platform consisted of a stock Barrett MRAD chambered in 300 Norma Magnum with a Nightforce 5-25x ATACR optic. 300 Norma Magnum cartridges were each hand loaded with Vihtavuori N565 High Energy Series Rifle Powder, launching an experimental 245 Grain Berger projectile 2,850-fps for the win.
Vihtavuori N565 High Energy Series Rifle Powder has immediately become the “go-to” propellant for serious competitive shooters, long range hunters, and accuracy enthusiasts using heavy bullets. The added nitroglycerin in the High Energy Series offers better energy content and increased velocity versus traditional smokeless powders. New cartridges purpose-built for long, heavy, high BC projectiles, such as 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, 300 PRC, and 300 Norma Magnum, benefit most from the High Energy Series with extreme accuracy, unmatched temperature stability, and lot-to-lot consistency.
After his win, Litz stated, “My component selection for the Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge was on point. Cartridges were loaded with Vihtavuori High Energy Series N565 powder behind a prototype 30 caliber 245 Grain Berger Hybrid Target projectile. Thanks to these quality components and a good plan, I was able to hit everything in sight!”
So then a 26” 1-8 Proof barrel should be just fine for my build? I was thinking 26” might be too short to get max value out of 215/230s.
I also would like to run a can on it—so 26” would be better…
I also would like to run a can on it—so 26” would be better…
If you already have that barrel-then just run with it. Realistically the 8 twist is overkill for the bullet weights you are talking about and 26" is great unless you really need to squeeze ever last ounce of velocity out of it.
I run an 8.3 twist but I'm down at sea level and will only use 245/250 gr weights, and a 26" barrel. I like to maintain some portability, leaving the 30" tubes for my buddy and his 338 AI
and the designated ELR guys.A Proof 9 twist 26" will do what you want it to.
Is there a downside to a 1-8 twist then? I don’t have the barrel yet.If you already have that barrel-then just run with it. Realistically the 8 twist is overkill for the bullet weights you are talking about and 26" is great unless you really need to squeeze ever last ounce of velocity out of it.
I run an 8.3 twist but I'm down at sea level and will only use 245/250 gr weights, and a 26" barrel. I like to maintain some portability, leaving the 30" tubes for my buddy and his 338 AI
A Proof 9 twist 26" will do what you want it to.
I'm not a fan of spinning bullets any faster than I have to. If you are at a stability factor of 1.5 or greater for the worst conditions you will shoot in, there is really very little need to spin it faster. There are some theories that the extra rotation from a faster twist will get you a few more yards once the bullet goes from supersonic to transonic speeds but I'm not sure it's really worth it.
Excessive inertia from a fast twist equals high rpm's and possible bullet distortion or even worse, jacket separation after leaving the muzzle.
Just a quick calculation for the Berger 230 @3150 fps equals a bullet rpm of 283,500 with an 8 twist. That's really turning unnecessarily fast especially when at 3000 fps at a temp of 0 degrees and elevation of 0 the stability factor is 1.93.
Slow the same bullet down to 252,000 rpm's with a 9 twist under the same conditions and you still have a stability factor of 1.52 and your still maintaining the bullet's bc.
Calculate the bullets you want to shoot, in the worst conditions you will shoot in and go from there. And while a lot of people are running an 8 twist, it's important to remember that the bullets you want to shoot may not always be available and if you need to run something lighter in the Hornady line up, spinning them fast tends to turn your rifle into an airburst launcher.
I would like to shoot 245 EOLs. But can’t seem to find them anywhere.
So what are the other premier long range hunting bullets I should go after?
So what are the other premier long range hunting bullets I should go after?
I'm probably not the best to answer this but depending on how fast your launching it and distance to impact the 225 ELD may work. Anything up close will probably just explode and not penetrate enough but at distance when the bullet slows down it's impact will be less violent and most likely penetrate further. This also depends on whether or not you're hitting bone.
The Hornady ELD-X line is also made for hunting.
Looks like they have a 210 gr. Wonder what the velocity threshold is for expansion. Although a little long for the 300 WSM I'm building.
Does anyone have any data for hornady 208gr and VV n560 or n570?
I have a AI 27" 1:8 and looking for a load with components I have on hand. I'll pick up something else when I get a chance, but I'm looking to burn up some 208gr Amax that I have sitting on the shelf.
Thanks
I have a AI 27" 1:8 and looking for a load with components I have on hand. I'll pick up something else when I get a chance, but I'm looking to burn up some 208gr Amax that I have sitting on the shelf.
Thanks
If going with a 1:9 Proof barrel—will a carbon wrapped sendero light (or sendero) with 1.2 shank diameter hold up the chamber pressures of the 300NM?
Or is it better to go with a standard steel barrel—say #3 medium sporter?
Or is it better to go with a standard steel barrel—say #3 medium sporter?
Not much info I could find. So ran some n570 and 208gr amax in Norma brass.
Loaded to .020" off the lands
Slight ejector marks, but also new brass that's .006" shorter then once fired. So I'm going to give it a .002" bump and see what happens when I do some seating depth tests.
Now I'll get my excuses out if the way. The table was covered in snow and was difficult to get a solid position. I had it slip bad at 90.5gr.
Loaded to .020" off the lands
Slight ejector marks, but also new brass that's .006" shorter then once fired. So I'm going to give it a .002" bump and see what happens when I do some seating depth tests.
Now I'll get my excuses out if the way. The table was covered in snow and was difficult to get a solid position. I had it slip bad at 90.5gr.
Similar threads
