Question about load data for RL15 and IMR4831

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scrabtree121

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The IMR4831 was from Nosler's website for the bullet I have. I thought hey its their bullet they should know right.

The Reloader15 was from Lee, Varget was the first on the list but I don't have any yet.

Looks like another trip to the store to grab a couple of more manuals.

Thanks for the website.
 

HMFIC

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The IMR4831 was from Nosler's website for the bullet I have. I thought hey its their bullet they should know right.

The Reloader15 was from Lee, Varget was the first on the list but I don't have any yet.

Looks like another trip to the store to grab a couple of more manuals.

Thanks for the website.

I haven't checked yet but I have at least 20 different manuals I can look in here. PM me if you need more data without buying another book.

edit. I just checked in the Sierra book I had handy and they don't show using 4831 until you get into at least 180 grain bullets. 2200fps is 46.9 grains and they call a max load 50.5 for 2400

let me dig out my nosler book and I think I have an IMR data book too although it should be on their website.
 

HMFIC

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Here's what's on the IMR website table:

No 4831 listed for that projectile at all, nor is RL-15. Seems that your problem is that the two powders you want to use are pretty slow burning for a 150 grain projectile in .308. Really recommended either with heavier bullet or faster powder but you know it all depends on your rifle too...

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
150 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 4007 SSC .308" 2.800" 44.7 2578 44,700 PSI 48.0C 2742 51,300 PSI
150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 44.0 2788 43,300 CUP 47.0C 2937 50,300 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 4320 .308" 2.800" 44.1 2658 44,600 PSI 49.0C 2936 59,800 PSI
150 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 4064 .308" 2.800" 43.0 2663 44,700 PSI 47.7C 2903 57,100 PSI
150 GR. NOS BT Winchester 748 .308" 2.800" 48.5 2865 48,000 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon BL-C(2) .308" 2.800" 45.0 2661 40,200 CUP 48.0 2839 50,000 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 4895 .308" 2.800" 42.6 2631 42,300 PSI 47.3C 2920 57,700 PSI
150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon H335 .308" 2.800" 41.0 2619 42,600 CUP 44.0 2787 51,200 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon H4895 .308" 2.800" 43.0 2742 43,200 CUP 45.5 2870 51,000 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 8208 XBR .308" 2.800" 40.0 2604 45,500 PSI 44.5C 2870 60,800 PSI
150 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 3031 .308" 2.800" 40.2 2658 44,300 PSI 43.5C 2881 59,200 PSI
150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon Benchmark .308" 2.800" 39.0 2521 38,800 CUP 43.0 2752 49,900 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon H322 .308" 2.800" 37.0 2508 39,100 CUP 40.0 2702 50,500 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT IMR Trail Boss .308" 2.800" 10.0 1176 25,800 PSI 14.0 1417 27,100 PSI


EDIT: I just looked through some old reloading notes for a load with Sierra 155grain matchkings and I guess at some point I tried 44.7 grains of RL15 and it worked fairly decent. That might give you a starting point???
 
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scrabtree121

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Thanks for the offer HMFIC! I'll take you up on it at some point in the future I'm sure, if I get to be a pain tell me to leave ya alone ;>p

I got the data from here for the 4831 http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/308-Winchester-150-Grains.aspx

And now looking at it again I see what you guys are saying about compressed it has a Load Volume Density row that shows the 4831 being 103% of the volume.

Thanks for the table I can tell I need to get some Varget! That seems to be listed a lot, and is a favorite for some.

After shooting the RL15 I don't think all use it again for a 308 round. It seems to not burn completely and there's a lot of residue left over, the barrel was filthy after only a few groups.
 

HMFIC

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Thanks for the offer HMFIC! I'll take you up on it at some point in the future I'm sure, if I get to be a pain tell me to leave ya alone ;>p

I got the data from here for the 4831 http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/308-Winchester-150-Grains.aspx

And now looking at it again I see what you guys are saying about compressed it has a Load Volume Density row that shows the 4831 being 103% of the volume.

Thanks for the table I can tell I need to get some Varget! That seems to be listed a lot, and is a favorite for some.

After shooting the RL15 I don't think all use it again for a 308 round. It seems to not burn completely and there's a lot of residue left over, the barrel was filthy after only a few groups.

No problem, glad I could help. I wouldn't be using the 4831 on anything other than a larger capacity case with heavier bullets, that's where it shines.

You didn't say what kind of cases you were using but your problem of getting well up into the neck could also be compounded if you're using a thicker case like military. Winchester I think makes the case with the most water volume right now so if you're really packing it in, it might be worth a look. Then again, if you're hitting the top end of pressures, you don't want a thin case either lol... you see it's not so easy to sort out. Lots of variables and everyone has opinions, but that's what makes it fun too.

I think RL15 would be fine with some heavier bullets and lots and lots of people use it that way, but it also depends on other factors too, such as your seating and barrel length.

Varget is just a little bit faster and it's highly used as well, you can't go wrong having some of it around anyway.

Ps. I also have a TON of OLDER reloading manuals and powder manufacturer data too if anyone gets some ancient powder they want to try. Today's versions aren't always the same... pays to be sure.
 

Swine

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A suggested website / reloading community with TONs of good input and reload data is www.ammoguide.com. Membership to the details of the reload data is needed but well worth it in my opinion. Here is something I found for your round on the website.

Bullet Wt.
(gr) Powder
Type Charge
(gr) Muzzle
Vel. (fps) K.E.
(ft-lbs) Pressure
Barrel
Length (in) Overall
Length (in)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

150 IMR-4831
46.0C
2265
1709
32600 cup
23.0
2.700


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

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