Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

I am having some trouble with velocity deviations of around 100fps with RL22 in a 300RUM. The load is a published load with max velocity of around 3290. Pressure signs are fine and most of the loads chrono very consistently. The loads that blow my mind are down around 3200 which seems like alot to me. When this happens, of course, the shot pulls out of the group. Does this sound like a primer problem or do you guys think I might have a scale problem. My scale is a RCBS 505. (Not the nicest one I know) and the primers are Fed. 215. I am going to try the 215 match primers. If that doesn't help I am going to buy a new scale. Any other ideas....brass, powder, etc?)

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

Are all your cases identical as far as case prep, brand, powder charge, primer brand, and bullet seating? Try a different powder like Ram Shot Magnum. Go tohttp://www.ramshot.com/powders/

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

300RUM, can be tough. Problem is probably the cases. I had such hard time with remington brass. Always had a thick side. I ended up buying several hundred pieces of federal brass. And they performed much better, but after 3-4 firings, wouldn't hold primer well. I don't load for the RUM anymore, so I sold all the brass. Here is where you can get some more. I tried everything and ended up culling the rem brass based off of neck thickness variance.

http://www.dlsports.com/fed_300_rum_brass.html

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

My brother and I ran into the same issue with his 300 RUM and RL22. I tried just about everything. I even tried the 215M primers thinkin match primers might help. I soon gave up, my bro just has to deal with it. I feel bad but dont know what to do

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

Out of the 3 RUM's I owned, I don't think I ever got the extreame spreads to go below 40fps. And some as high as 100fps. H1000 and IMR4350seemed to be the most consistent. I tried IMR4350, RL22, IMR7828, H1000, RL25, Retumbo, and Norma MRP. But I had good accuracy out of most of them. Even RL22 loads with high spreads would produce under 1.5MOA out to 500 yards.

I am sure stubble will come on here. Maybe he can tell his spreads.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

This problem could vey well be due to a combination of factors, the most significant of which are probably powder type and the .300 RUM's large case volume. It is likely that RL-22 behaves a littleerratically when used in such an overbore case at less than 100% + loading density. Both the .300 RUM and .300 Weatherby just have a bit too much case capacity to work well with some powders. You usually can find one that will do better than a variation as high as 100 FPS between shots, but sometmes it is a real PITA to do so. I have heard of cartridgesbeing so overbore that the barrel was shot out before a good consistent load was found!

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

One more thing to add to eld's post. RL22, loves higher pressure for some reason. At starting loads alot of times, I see crazy accuracy and velocity variations. But for some reason in cartridges like the 300win mag, it likes to be screamin hot. Where I notice powders like H1000 likes midrange.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

Try some RL 19, it will load close to 100% capicity, like BC said they like being full or close to full which ends up screeming. My 300 Win Mag liked 77.8 of RL22 which is .2 from max and was moving at 3275 fps.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

This gun has been a pill to begin with. It's a Model 70 classic stainless. I love the gun but I think the barrel is too whippy for the cartride. The thing will shoot lights out one session and 3" groups the next. It seems to prefer RL22 as opposed to RL25 for some reason. I have also tried Retumbo but haven't really wrung it out. Aren't the Hodgon Extreme powders supposed to be more consistent?

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

Yes, the Hodgdon extremes are supposed to give more consistency despite varying factors like temperature etc.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

Their temp curves are less sloped. So they shouldn't vary over temp. But as far as consistnent velocity, I can't see why they would be any better than RL22.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

I have no experience in loading the 300 RUM. Just overheard some guys at the shooting range that was experiencing something similar. The range officer suggested he crimp his bullets.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

I have looked into crimping in the past. The Lee factory crimp die is probably the best bet for this as most bullets dont have the cannelure. Has anyone tried this and what do you think?

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

Re 22 is a good powder but for the ultra mags 7 and 300 we get better everything with retumbo. Use max load for your gun and consistency should be good

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

My 300 Ultra Mag also shoots its best using RL22 with the higher velocity, go figure.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

It's temperature sensitive try H-4831 SC instead.I had the same problems with RE-22...............Harold

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

Nothing wrong with 505 scales. Very consistent over the past 20 yrs for me. I have checked mine many times against calibrated scales and it has never been more than .1gr off.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

I never loaded for a RUM but have been loading for a 300 Win and 300 Wby for years. RL22 is my favorite powder for both. With my 300 Wby, I use 88.5gr of RL22 with a Barnes 150 Triple Shock. Don't try this load in your rifle straight off the bat. It's 1/2 grain higher than what the Barnes rep told me over the phone. I worked my way up in 1/2 grain intervals and checked for pressure signs all the way. I'm at 1" groups at 100 yards with this load and that's good enough for me.

RE: Inconsistent velocity with RL22
 

what bullet are you trying the rl-22 with??