RE-15 is it worth a try?

[BsChoy]

I have a Remmy LTR in 308 I have had good results with using Varget and 4064 but alot of the boards are saying the RE-15 will give me more velocity with roughly the same amount of powder. Currently I get around 2600-2650 fps with 150 btips with the guns fav charge of 45.5 grains of varget. Is RE-15 temp sensitive enough for hunting applications in the winter time?

 

[ocabj]

Reloder 15 is becoming the go to powder for many people right now. I think it's due in part because the military uses it in their M118LR 7.62 round, so everyong has to do what the military does.

Don't get me wrong. Reloder 15 is a great powder. I use it in my service rifle highpower ammo. It is not advertised, as far as I know, to be insensitive to temperature changes, but pretty much all the RL15 users report that it is.

There was a exodus from Varget to other powders about a year ago when a few people noticed a large discrepancy between the varying lots of Varget. I have not personally experienced it myself, and I tend to buy Varget in 1lb jugs.

I still think Varget is a great powder, and so do many others. I use Varget in .223/5.56, .308, 6.5x55, and even .30-30 (in Contender pistol).

If Varget works for you now, there isn't really a reason you should switch. If RL15 is easier for you to get (and cheaper), then you may want to try it out.

 

[BsChoy]

Varget seemd to work just fine in my 30-06 and 223 but, as far as price goes locally almost all powders are going for 22.99 in every store. I think I need to bite the bullet and order it from online

 

[GooseGestapo]

Reloader15 has become my go-to powder for most center fire rifle.

I've gotten superlative results in .30/30 and .45/70 and .223.
My two favorite .223 loads are:
27.5gr w/55gr (3,200fps 18.5"bbl, near 1-hole 5 shots)
25.5gr w/65gr Sierra BTSP (Real deer Killer ! 3,000fps from 18.5" bbl and stabilizes from 1/12"twist bbl -Rem M7 5 shots @ 1.2" )
Excellent in .308 (highest velocities, near best accuracy)
ditto the .30/06.

Good economy w/decent accuracy from 7mm/08
Very good from .243 w/80gr and lighter

2nd best powder IMO for the .338/06 w/225gr bullets and lighter (Can't beat IMR-4350 here!)

 

[USSR]

BsChoy,

Having shot both Varget and RE-15, I have found RE-15 to be much less picky than Varget in load development. In my .308 with 178gr Amax bullets, I have found that RE-15 is just a little slower than Varget, and 0.4gr more of RE-15 produces velocities similar to Varget. Try it, I think you'll like it.

Don

 

[ATAShooter]

I use Alliant powders exclusively. After hearing tons of debates on RE-15 being too slow for gas oprated military rifles ( M1A and M1 Garand ), I contacted Alliant in Radford to get it from the horses mouth... He told me that RE-15 can be used in the M1, M1A, and AR15 without hurting oprods and ect when loaded at designated charges. I use it now for the Garand, The M1A, and AR. I am very happy with it's performance, dependability, and will stay with it. Which is more than I can say about the wife.

 

[Eagle103]

I'm thinking about buying some for my autoloader 30-06. I've had nothing but good luck with the other Alliant powders I've bought: RL19, Power Pistol, and Unique. I can't say the same about all the Hodgdon and IMR powders.

 

[Sam Adams]

Ussr

Having shot both Varget and RE-15, I have found RE-15 to be much less picky than Varget in load development. In my .308 with 178gr Amax bullets, I have found that RE-15 is just a little slower than Varget, and 0.4gr more of RE-15 produces velocities similar to Varget. Try it, I think you'll like it.

Can you let us know some details about your 178 load? How did it perform (accuracy-wise, as I'm more interested in where it goes than if it gets there a millisecond or so sooner or later). What rifle & barrel length? THANKS!

 

[db_tanker]

RL-15 is going to be the next bulk jug I get for loading...

I use it for 7.5 Swiss, 308, 30-30, 303, and 416 Taylor.

And it works damn good in each of 'em.


D

 

[USSR]

Sam,

Rifle is FN SPR, 1st Gen Model with 26" barrel. I don't have access to the accuracy of the following loads, but I kept the chrony printouts with velocity and ES/SD numbers:

Hornady Match Brass
178gr AMax
Fed 210M primer
45.5gr Varget
2.840" OAL
2747fps

Hornady Match Brass
178gr AMax
Fed 210M primer
45.9gr RL15
2.840" OAL
2746fps

Hornady Match Brass
178gr AMax
Fed 210M primer
48.0gr N550
2.840" OAL
2754fps

The goal of my load development was to find velocities in the 2750fps range, as this is considered a safe, performance load with 175/178gr bullets.

Don

 

[langenc]

If my memory is correct most 06 loads will show about 25% less powder for nearly the same velocity and a lot less pressure.

 

[Sam Adams]

db_tanker

What are your loads for the 7.5 Swiss & .308, out of curiosity? What kind of results do you get?

 

[db_tanker]

sorry for the delay here...gimmie a day or two to get to my books and I will get you that data.


D

 

[Sam Adams]

Thanks - anxiously awaiting your post.

 

[TimT]

I too like it in my M1 Garand, .338-06's, .30-30AI and now the 8x57 certainly down the road this powder will work in something else as well. Need to buy it by the barrel.

 

[db_tanker]

Sam Adams....sorry for the delay bro...

insert load data warning here...I am not liable blah blah blah and double check everything you hear.

Okay...

308

using FC brass and Winchester LRM primers I got an honest MOA load with 168 Hornady A-Max moly coated bullets using a flat 40 gr. charge of RL-15 with that bullet. No crimp and brass was neck-sized.

Good varmint load was a 125 gr. Speer HP TNT, same case and primer with a 48 grain charge of RL-15.

7.5x55

Norma brass and WLRM primers with all loads

150 gr. Hornady IL RN with a 43 gr. charge of RL-15 crimped at the cannelure...this was an excellent 150 yard gong ringer in my K-31 and mild to boot.

150gr FMJ FB (30-06 bullets) and 43 gr. RL-15 gave same results as the RN (wasn't really looking to see difference in drop with spitzer bullet)...shot paper with it and was getting 2-3" groups at 150 without trying...I was thinking that mebbe a similar load with a soft point for white-tail but then figured the rifle would be WAY to long to drag through the brush here in SE Texas.

Hope this helps!
D

 

[Sam Adams]

DB

Thanks. RE-15 seems to be about as versatile as Varget, and more consistent. I'm going to get some for my .308s, Garand and K-31. I have to check the load books to see if I can safely use it in my M39 (7.62x54R).

 

[BsChoy]

ATA shooter, whats your load for the garand and RE15?

 

[Sam Adams]

Resurrecting this thread...

I went out last weekend with some .308 RE-15 loads for my 700. Using all 168 grain bullets (SMKs and AMAXs), I got my best results with 42.5 grains. I was using fairly large increments, and the next time out I'll use smaller ones centered on 42.5 grains. Anyhow, the 42.5 grain loads were VERY accurate. Of course, my rifle on that particular day - the data only works for me, but it'd be a good (and safe, per the load books) load to work up to for someone else with a boltie...but do it at your own risk, etc.

 

[BsChoy]

I tried it and Varget worked better for my rifle....

 

[Tx40X]

Just posted this on another thread, but:

I'm currently using RE 15 in my 40X. Info as follows:

Rifle: 40X Rremington w/ Hart 27" SS 1-10" twist barrel

Case: Federal
Primer: Winchester WLR
Bullet: 168 gr Sierra HPBT Match
Powder: 42.0 gr RE 15

After trying a LOT of powder/primer/case combos, this rifle LOVES that load, and will shoot 32mm 5-shot groups at 300 meters. Smallest 10-shot group was 42mm.

 

[threefeathers]

My M1A and Tactical Savage love the RE15, 43 grains, driving the 175 grain Sierra bthp, CCI BR primers.

 

[dwwhite]

Tx40x...

Do you have any idea what kind of velocities you're getting with that load? Or pressures?

I've used Varget and similar quantities of powder produced velocities that were less than impressive. With 165/168s I have had to step the charge up a couple of more grains. If I could get higher velocities with a few grains less powder, I might just give it a try.

P.S. Are you shooting in the SA area on a public range out to 300 yards, or is it private, all I've been able to find is 200 around here.

Thx
Dwwhite

 

[Tx40X]

DW,

According to the Sierra book, it's running out at 2600fps. As for pressures, there's no abnormal signs of high pressure from either primers or brass. Don't have a chrono to check exact velocity, tho.

As for the range, it's a privately-owned public range, about 5 miles north of Robert Lee on Hwy 208. Has 300, 600, 800, and 1000 meter targets.
Web site is:

http://www.spindlerarms.com/

 

[Tx40X]

Quick update on the RE-15 load. We tested a new Remington Police 700 with the load I listed. Only mods to the rifle were bedding the factory stock and a trigger job. (Oh, and shooting the parkerizing out of the barrel with about 50 rds of other ammo.) Results with the RE-15 at 300 meters were: first 2 rounds, a 2mm center-to-center spread, last three rds, 10mm center-to-center spread (last due to large nut behind the bolt).