Long range match powder = Reloader 15??

Mobuck

I recently purchased some powder from a busines that sells reclaimed military bullets,brass, and powder. It is advertised as using the same data as Rx 15 and I was expecting it to be a ball type. Upon receipt the stuff looks like IMR4895 in grain size and texture. I have confidence in the recommendations from this company but would like to hear from anyone else who has used this powder. Since the two powders use close to the same loadings, I intend to start at the lowest and work up carefully as always in a platform of known strength and performance. Any other suckers like me????

nemesisenforcer

Reloader 15 is very similar to Varget in burn rate, performance in most cartridges, and loadings.

Hawk Carse

I don't know what the unnamed surplus dealer is actually selling but Re 15 is an extruded powder, not Ball process. It is rumored that military match ammunition is loaded with it, so if that is what you got, it ought to be good stuff.

JustC

I would initially be timid. NOT knowing the exact burn rate, I am skeptical. But since you say you know this outfit,....then MHO is to start at a mid range load in the books. If that chrono's at the book MV, then you know what you have.

Those "sticks" of powder you see are most likely a contract powder that really is 4895, or similar burn rate powder (assuming the chrono test has been run).

Be very carefull when working loads with an unknown burn rate.

Mobuck

I reread my info and found I was looking at the loadings for M118 and M852 NM ammo. They both list 4895 tubular or Wc846 on the M852. Looks like I'll be doing some careful workup. I use a chrony for load development combining known component appearance and velocity. I'm hoping to get an accurate load workable in a couple of rifles. I currently shoot 4 .308 heavy barrel rifles and if I'm really lucky, I can get one useable load in all of them but I'm not holding my breath.

dcs shooters

If it is the same as R-15, you should get good results. I use R-15 in my 308 and 223 69+77gr match loads.

sandwarrior

Mobuck,

M118LR is loaded with Re-15. Older match stuff is loaded with 4895. And yes, even though it's a double based powder, it is extruded.

RE-15 actually burns slower than H4895. But, because it is a double based powder, it requires about the same quantities as 4895 when using it. You can usually get a little more velocity out of it than 4895 though.

I used 42.5 gr. in my .308 behind a 168 gr. bullet to get 2630 fps.

Mobuck

Thanks. I hope to get some test loads soon. If I get something workable, I may aquire more of this stuff. I have quite a lot of 308 and 30/06 brass and bullets that need to be loaded. Components are not much good when the lead starts flying. I'm not needing really hot loads but I want to match the trajectory of my stockpile of surplus ball ammo fairly close.