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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Ride well, shoot straight, and speak the truth.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,208
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have loads for a couple of cartridges using RL-15 that I want to try RL-15.5 on.
I've been pinged twice on some, probably time to buy a couple pounds...
It's you and the bullet, and all the rest is secondary.
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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For a Whelen I loaded some 250 speers over this stuff to figure out pressure, and also some 310 woodleighs. Unfortunately won't be able to shoot it for a few days.
About 58 grains will fit into an unfired norma/nolser case, pretty high up the case neck, but with the powder settled with a high-end vibratory device (electric toothbrush), I couldn't feel any or hear much compression under a 250 Speer at 3.35 COAL.
Probably get a little more into a fired case. Less if you seat deeper. From memory, I think the same cases hold about 60 or 61gr of RL-15 at that COAL without crunching.
I have pretty good data from this same rifle using RL-15 for various 250's. I'll report back.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,137
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,137 |
Last night, as I lay in bed, thinking about this powder; I thought about using it in my 338-06. Then I was to sleep. lol
As time permits, I'll prolly try some in my 338-06.
Happy Saturday!
Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 15,262
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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For a Whelen I loaded some 250 speers over this stuff to figure out pressure, and also some 310 woodleighs. Unfortunately won't be able to shoot it for a few days.
About 58 grains will fit into an unfired norma/nolser case, pretty high up the case neck, but with the powder settled with a high-end vibratory device (electric toothbrush), I couldn't feel any or hear much compression under a 250 Speer at 3.35 COAL.
Probably get a little more into a fired case. Less if you seat deeper. From memory, I think the same cases hold about 60 or 61gr of RL-15 at that COAL without crunching.
I have pretty good data from this same rifle using RL-15 for various 250's. I'll report back. I’ll be watching.
Semper Fi
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,841
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Posts: 9,841 |
They had a bunch at a local shop the other day but it was $55/pound so I passed. I spent my change on a blr81 in 358 win instead and as I was leaving thought that 15.5 would probably do well in the 358.
Bb
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Joined: Sep 2009
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I've developed loads for the .338 WM with 200 grain E-Tips and .375 H&H with 270 grain TSX using RL 15.5. Charge weights are similar to what I have used before with RL 15. I'm getting some additional velocity and good accuracy with RL 15.5 plus it's more temperature stable. I like it!
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,137
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 17,137 |
Nice to see some good news is coming forward regarding 15.5 powder.
Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Posts: 47,726
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Posts: 47,726 |
I'm waiting for 15 3/4 to come out..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,108
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,108 |
I made some home brewed RL 15.5...
small batch.... 50% RL 15 mixed with 50% RL 16..... enough for like 10 rounds...
it went Bang, like any other powder....
I was both surprised and proud of myself...
now I can move on with my life, and still look at the empty shelves at my local Bi Mart...
but the knitting section of the store is still well stocked, and so was the paint section...
life is still wonderful for millennials...with the man buns... lol.......I like it!
Casey
Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively... Having said that, MAGA.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 218
Campfire Member
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Sorry, no 15 3/4 coming. Next up is 15.70 for Winchesters only. Next will be 15.99 for the savage people.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,137
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 17,137 |
Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,726
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,726 |
Sorry, no 15 3/4 coming. Next up is 15.70 for Winchesters only. Next will be 15.99 for the savage people. I like that. I'm kind of savage.. I look forward to trying that model 70 powder out though.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,726
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,726 |
I made some home brewed RL 15.5...
small batch.... 50% RL 15 mixed with 50% RL 16..... enough for like 10 rounds...
it went Bang, like any other powder....
I was both surprised and proud of myself...
now I can move on with my life, and still look at the empty shelves at my local Bi Mart...
but the knitting section of the store is still well stocked, and so was the paint section...
life is still wonderful for millennials...with the man buns... lol.......I like it! That made me laugh..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,017
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I loaded a box of .308 Win with 180 gr ballistic tips and RL15.5 and I like it. FC brass, Fed 210 primers, 45.0 gr of RL15.5. Did not chrono. A couple rifles went .5 MOA for 3 shots. A couple other rifles were in the 1 MOA neighborhood. I also shot 180 gr coated accubonds and they shot well. Only issue is that 45.0 gr is pretty full in a FC case, up to case neck.
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,459
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Last night, as I lay in bed, thinking about this powder; I thought about using it in my 338-06. Then I was to sleep. lol
As time permits, I'll prolly try some in my 338-06.
Happy Saturday! I'm about to load some up to try. Hornady has 338-06 RL-15 data for 200 (57.1 gr max), 225 (54.2 gr max), and 250 (50.9 gr max) grain bullets, so it should be possible to do some work with RL 15.5 using those numbers. They got 2900', 2700', and 2500' respectively (23.5" barrel) for the three weights with RL-15 so the chrono would help stay sane. Also looks like running out of case capacity won't be a factor. Could be an ideal sized case for this powder. Interesting, Hornady also got 2900' with the 165-168 grain in the 30-06 with 54.2/RL-15, so that might be a good one too for RL-15.5 Rex
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,459
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I'm a bit of a dope for not having figured out that Alliant actually has 30-06 data for RL-15.5 on their site. No need to extrapolate from RL-15 data: Hope this Alliant Link works. Will shoot this powder in both 338-06 and 9.3x62 tomorrow and report back. Rex
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,459
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I am back from the range with stuff to report on RL-15.5 in the 338-06 and the 9.3x62. About the rifles - both are JES rebored 1903 Springfields. The 9.3 has about a 23.5" barrel and the 338 is 19" long. With previous loads, the 9.3 has been extremely accurate but the .338 has not yet shot well for me. Both rifles have Leupold M8 fixed 4X scopes, a tiny compact on the 9.3, and a full sized on the .338. Both rifles have long throats and the bullets are loaded to 3.375" for magazine length. Lapua brass for the 9.3, necked up FC 30-06 for the .338. All primers are CCI 200. My velocity goals for the 9.3 match the good data Mule Deer has published for 60K PSI-ish pressures, and for the 338-06, I am looking for about 100 FPS less than the Hornady max data show due to the 4.5" shorter barrel. That means ~2650 FPS for the 250AB and just under 2500 for the 286 PT (today I used the 250AB and a no-name 285RN for testing. I bought a few big bags from some guy that got them from an estate. They look just like PPU 285 or Lapua Mega 285). For the 338-06 I'm looking for 2400' for the Hornady 250RN and 2600 for the 225 SP. I shot both those bullets today. I loaded two rounds each for three charges each to get in the ballpark. Below I will try to summarize the results but the formatting might get goofy when I post it. I list the two speeds and the center-to-center distance between the two rounds.
9.3x62, 250 NAB (goal = 2650') 60 grains - 2421, 2454, 0.27" 61 grains - 2511, 2494, 0.45" 62 grains - 2542, 2547, 0.20" Summary - looks like outstanding accuracy potential, and room for 1.5 to 2.0 grains more powder to reach the goal.
9.3x62, No-Name 285RN (goal = 2500') 58 grains - 2290, 2266, 0.46" 59 grains - 2312, 2314, N/A, the first round hit just off my paper - it was just about 2" 60 grains - 2368, 2358, 0.95" Summary - looks like at least 2 more grains needed to reach the speed goal.
338-06, 250 Hor RN (goal = 2400') 50 grains - 2233, 2230, 1.00" 51 grains - 2292, 2266, 2.23" 52 grains - 2330, 2322, 1.70" Summary - maybe another 1.5 grains to reach 2400', accuracy potential not exciting (but it is certainly minute-of-moose, and about as good as this rifle has ever shot before)
338-06, 225 Hor SP Interlock (goal = 2600') 54 grains - 2504, 2489, 0.47" 55 grains - 2549, 2530, 1.06" 56 grains - 2594, 2589, No kidding one hole. Barely perceptible elongation - can't measure it. Summary - Excellent! I hit my speed goal of ~2600' and the accuracy potential looks good. Very excited to repeat the 56 grain charge with more rounds. These 6 rounds formed a cluster much smaller than the average 3-shot group this rifle has delivered with previous loads.
I hope these results will help others develop their own loads with RL-15.5. Please post your results. Don't forget my rifles have long throats and are loaded to magazine length. I will sneak up closer to the velocity goals next Wednesday and report back. Will also try the 210 NPT in the 338-06 and see if it plays well with RL15.5. I really hope so but can be happy forever with the 225 Hor SP if it keeps up what it did today.
Cheers, Rex
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390 |
I am back from the range with stuff to report on RL-15.5 in the 338-06 and the 9.3x62. About the rifles - both are JES rebored 1903 Springfields. The 9.3 has about a 23.5" barrel and the 338 is 19" long. With previous loads, the 9.3 has been extremely accurate but the .338 has not yet shot well for me. Both rifles have Leupold M8 fixed 4X scopes, a tiny compact on the 9.3, and a full sized on the .338. Both rifles have long throats and the bullets are loaded to 3.375" for magazine length. Lapua brass for the 9.3, necked up FC 30-06 for the .338. All primers are CCI 200. My velocity goals for the 9.3 match the good data Mule Deer has published for 60K PSI-ish pressures, and for the 338-06, I am looking for about 100 FPS less than the Hornady max data show due to the 4.5" shorter barrel. That means ~2650 FPS for the 250AB and just under 2500 for the 286 PT (today I used the 250AB and a no-name 285RN for testing. I bought a few big bags from some guy that got them from an estate. They look just like PPU 285 or Lapua Mega 285). For the 338-06 I'm looking for 2400' for the Hornady 250RN and 2600 for the 225 SP. I shot both those bullets today. I loaded two rounds each for three charges each to get in the ballpark. Below I will try to summarize the results but the formatting might get goofy when I post it. I list the two speeds and the center-to-center distance between the two rounds.
9.3x62, 250 NAB (goal = 2650') 60 grains - 2421, 2454, 0.27" 61 grains - 2511, 2494, 0.45" 62 grains - 2542, 2547, 0.20" Summary - looks like outstanding accuracy potential, and room for 1.5 to 2.0 grains more powder to reach the goal.
9.3x62, No-Name 285RN (goal = 2500') 58 grains - 2290, 2266, 0.46" 59 grains - 2312, 2314, N/A, the first round hit just off my paper - it was just about 2" 60 grains - 2368, 2358, 0.95" Summary - looks like at least 2 more grains needed to reach the speed goal.
338-06, 250 Hor RN (goal = 2400') 50 grains - 2233, 2230, 1.00" 51 grains - 2292, 2266, 2.23" 52 grains - 2330, 2322, 1.70" Summary - maybe another 1.5 grains to reach 2400', accuracy potential not exciting (but it is certainly minute-of-moose, and about as good as this rifle has ever shot before)
338-06, 225 Hor SP Interlock (goal = 2600') 54 grains - 2504, 2489, 0.47" 55 grains - 2549, 2530, 1.06" 56 grains - 2594, 2589, No kidding one hole. Barely perceptible elongation - can't measure it. Summary - Excellent! I hit my speed goal of ~2600' and the accuracy potential looks good. Very excited to repeat the 56 grain charge with more rounds. These 6 rounds formed a cluster much smaller than the average 3-shot group this rifle has delivered with previous loads.
I hope these results will help others develop their own loads with RL-15.5. Please post your results. Don't forget my rifles have long throats and are loaded to magazine length. I will sneak up closer to the velocity goals next Wednesday and report back. Will also try the 210 NPT in the 338-06 and see if it plays well with RL15.5. I really hope so but can be happy forever with the 225 Hor SP if it keeps up what it did today.
Cheers, Rex Is the bulkiness of the powder giving any problems in either case? I can get exactly 59 grains (settled) into a fired Nosler/norma 35 Whelen case with 250 partitions at 3.33 COAL. 59.5gr needs a deeper setting on the seating die to get the same COAL. Should get chrono data tomorrow. 58gr of this stuff under a 250 Speer is a very mild feeling load... gives 2450 fps from a 20" Whelen with a very short throat, primers completely round. Hoping to break 2500 but not sure the powder will fit. Obviously 2450 is fine. I think I'd be at 2400 fps in a SAAMI chamber but I'll test that tomorrow, too.
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