Reloder-15 Any Good for .308 Win?

[under_dawg]

I have a pound of Reloder-15 that I bought for my Marlin 30-30. Powder around here is pretty hard to come by right now. I have found some load data for it in the 308, but am sort of new at reloading rifle ammo. Will Reloder-15 be a pretty good powder in a 308 with a 150 gr jacketed bullet?

 

[Eb1]

There is not a given answer. You will have to do testing the same way as you would for your 30-30.

 

[NCsmitty]

This recipe is from the Alliant site. I believe it's a compressed load at Max.

Start at 46gr and work up.

Centerfire Rifle
308 Winchester

* Speer 150 gr SP
* Reloder 15
* CCI 200


Case---------IMI

Minimum OAL------2.70
(inches)

Bbl Length---------22 inch

Primer-------------CCI 200

Powder-----------Reloder 15

Charge Weight---49gr MAX


Velocity-----------2,919 fps

Rel-15 works very well with the heavier bullets too.


NCsmitty

 

[ATAShooter]

Hell Yes !! I load R15 for my M1A, Rem 700. Oh yeah, it does the job for me.

 

[USSR]

Great powder for the .308. The gov't uses it in their current M118LR sniper ammo.

Don

 

[Ranger J]

Good powder I use it in my .308, 30-06 and 223.

RJ

 

[bobotech]

Is it a good powder for gas guns?

 

[USSR]

Yep. Safe to use with M1/M14 and other autoloader platforms.

Don

 

[MCMXI]

According to Sierra's 5th Edition it's the "Accuracy Load" for the SMK 168gr HPBT. It's also the recommended hunting load (41.3gr @ 2500 fps) for Sierra's 180gr RN and SPT bullets. I use Reloder 15 for my .308 with excellent results.

 

[qajaq59]

Yup, I use it for hunting in my .308. Just start at the bottom and work up to an accurate load.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

That's funny, according to the Sierra chart, the max load on the 168's with H-4895, which is what I'm using, its 39.9 grains. According to my lee second edition book, the range is 41-43.5 grains. I'm loading 42.3 grains and getting 2670 fps, out of my Remington 700 SPS Tactical, 20" barrel. They shoot good too.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[MCMXI]

Redneck with a 40, it's not unusual to find different load ranges for the same bullet/powder in different reloading manuals. The Sierra data above was generated under the following conditions:

Firearm Used: Savage 12VSS
Barrel Length: 26"
Twist: 1 x 10"
Case: Federal
Trim-to Length: 2.005"
Primer: Fed 210M


The Hodgdon web site doesn't give any information as to the case, barrel length, twist rate, primer etc. I have the Lee 2nd Edition but it's not in front of me right now so I have no idea as to their conditions. I have Lyman's 49th Edition and Speer's #11 along with Sierra's 50th Anniversary Edition and one of those load books for the .308. Generally, I consult as many sources as I can and go from there.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

My load at 42.3 grains is performing good, I'm gonna stick with it. I'm definitely not getting any pressure signs either, primers look good, extraction is easy, and with neck sizing, I'm getting very little stretch in the case necks, so its all good.

 

[WNTFW]

Under Dawg,
I guess you never witnessed a RL15 vs Varget discussion/Debate or whatever it ends up being...
There are some other good powders for a .308. I didn't mean to imply those are the only 2. Ramshot TAC is one and it meters easily.

 

[MCMXI]

I'm loading 42.3 grains and getting 2670 fps, out of my Remington 700 SPS Tactical, 20" barrel ... I'm definitely not getting any pressure signs either, primers look good, extraction is easy, and with neck sizing, I'm getting very little stretch in the case necks, so its all good.

2670 fps out of a 20" barrel is fairly quick for 1.2 grains under the max (2703 fps) load listed by Hodgdon ... but it's a complicated world so good for you.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

1858, that's what my chrono is saying and I believe it.

I've got some 150 grain Core-Lokt's loaded at 44.5 grains, those are giving me 2750 fps, a full grain under max, which is where I'm staying.

Obviously, I'm losing very little to no velocity in the 20" barrel, with this powder.

 

[under_dawg]

Thanks for all the info guys. I read somewhere that (Google) R-15 is temp sensative so now I'm worried if I load a batch now it will be inaccurate or dangerous in the fall. I have noticed (as mentioned above) there is a great deal of variance on start/max loads depending on the source. I have a Speer 14, Lee's Modern Reloading, and some Sierra data as well as Hodgdons on line data for sources. The all seem to vary. I don't have my recipe with me right now, but I chose a start point that was in the middle of all these.

 

[NCsmitty]

under_dawg, the different blogs will give you conflicting information on temperature sensitivity of certain powders. Regardless of claims, all powders will display some sensitivity to air temp. Some more than others, but still it can factor in, should you leave ammo sitting in direct sunlight or not.
Always keep ammo out of direct sunlight, not sitting on the shooting bench cooking or on your vehicle's dash .
If you load some Rel-15 now, just check zero in the fall. Unless you're MAXED out, air temp shouldn't be a factor.

NCsmitty

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Other good powders for .308, based on my reading of reloading manuals :

IMR 4064, 4895
H-4895
Varget
RL-15
BLC(2)
Ramshot TAC, Big Game
H-335