Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Formerly safe loads now too hot!

I get 2940fps with 175 and 64 grains of R 22 in my 7mmRem so that extra 2 grains at that point sounds like a big jump.
John

While I do use the Bofors-made Reloder powders quite a bit, I've experienced too many temperature-related variations to use them as much as I used to. Reloder 15 is by far the most temperature resistant of all the "big game" series, but in my experience still isn't as consistent on cold or hot weather as Varget (or the new IMR4166, which as about the same burn-rate).

I did kill a pronghorn the other day with a handload using RL-25 in my .257 Weatherby, but the temperature wasn't all that cold. Won't be using that load this week in subzero temperatures. I also don't use many temp-sensitive powders in my varmint rifles anymore, whether for winter coyote hunting or summer rodent shooting.

But most handloaders are only concerned about accuracy and velocity during the one or two range sessions where they work up a load, usually in pleasant weather, because that's when it's most comfortable to spend time at the range. Which is the big reason they're often surprised when conditions change.

IME R-19, R-22, R-25 have too much burn rate swings between different lots.

I was thinking this same thing with regards to temperature. Up until this week it has been warm in VA correct?

Mule Deer,
Doesn't Bofors manufacture Norma Powder? If so how is the temp sensitivity and lot to lot variation?

Yes, they're made in the same Bofors factory as most of the Reloder powders. I haven't used enough different lots to know enough about that, but I find the Norma powders about like the Reloder 19/22/25 in temperature sensitivity.

Exactly why I buy my RL-22 in kegs...work up a load that I deem "safe" and its easier to keep an eye on things from season to season. Then, once in a blue moon, when I finish an 8# jug, I start all over from scratch. I use my chronograph and carefully try to approach the velocities of my previous loads, while keeping a check on pressure signs and such. I'll usually end up within a grain or two of the previous loading. I have to be very careful though, living in South Georgia....temperature swings between spring/summer load testing and fall/winter hunting can be huge.

AGW, my 66 grain load ran a little over 2900 and was a dandy load. I actually have one publication where it was a sanctioned load. At one time 60 grains of 4350 was a sanctioned load in the older Speer manual and a good accurate one with 175 gr nosler semi spritzer at around 2850 fps. Also ran 64 grains of 4350 behind about 2 thousand nosler 150 bal tips before it was considered over max. My loads have backed off somewhat in recent years.