Rl22
 

I have heard people say that RL22 velocities change with change in temperatures. Is it a increase or decrease in velocity? Also is there a big difference in the change in velocities? I've been using RL22 for a few years now in my 300 win mag and have never noticed any differences when shooting at game or at a target. I have never checked it out on a chrony before either. I dont shoot 1000 yards or anywhere near that range. Most shots are close, some places I that I hunt I have taken game out to over 400 yards. The reason I'm asking is I have ran out of H870 which I used in my 7mm rem mag for over 20 years and now Hodgon doesnt make it anymore. I was planning on using RL22 for both rifles, but if there is a better choice then I would look at that. Thanks for any input.

any powder you use is temp sensitive, some a little, some a lot, depending on its makeup, read the lable, if it contains nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine it is a double base or ball powder and is more temp sensitive than a single base powder. RE22 is a double base powder, and the tmp sensitivity I can deal with, what turned me against it was the lot to lot variences, I had the same load in my 6.5 gibbs go from 3360 fp to 3180 just by changing lot numbers on the powder, I'm not gonna rework my load every new lot of powder, If I were you I would try either H1000 or Retumbo.
RR

Thanks for your input RR I really appreciate it. I will check into to getting one of those. Do you have a preference between the two?

retumbo is a bit slower so it depends on what weight bullet your shooting, on a wag I would opt for H1000, then try retumbo both are in the hodgdon extreme powder line, meaning they are single based and not as temp sensitive, however be advised even the extreme powders will speed way up if you leave your ammo cook in the sun, or leave it on the dash in your truck when its warm, but not as bad as the double base powders
RR

The 300 I shoot 165gr accubonds and the 7mm its 140gr accubonds or sierra bullets

then I'd run H-1000 in the 300, if H-1000 didn't suit me in the 7 I'd try H-4831 or IMR 7828, both very good single based powders in the big 7 cartridge
RR

Thanks a bunch for your input RR. I really appreciate it.

I have had better results using a slightly faster powder than either H 1000 or Retumbo when shooting the lighter bullets. These powders have worked better for me when shooting 160 grain bullets in the 7mm RM and 180 - 200 grin bullets in the .300 WM. Something closer to IMR 4831 has done well with the lighter bullets. All of my shooting with both of these cartridges have been with 24" - 26" barrels.

Imr 7828 Works real well in most calibers for me. As Ridge said, the Reloader 22 is an enigma. My velocity is 200 fps slower with it, and it changes lot to lot. I use 7828 in everything from 25 06 up, and it is outstanding.

It's my go to powder in the 25.06! I've been using it for years in this caliber with no problems what so ever even when changing from mild temps to cold temps. I also haven't experienced the change of velocity with it either but then again the 25.06 is all that i use it in. I don't own any magnum rifles so it may well be different with those. I also like 7828 in the 06 and have a couple nice loads worked up with that as well.

do you own a chrony?
RR

Yes i own and use a couple of them. Im not disagreeing with you here im only sharing my personal experience with RL22 and my 25.06 which is the only caliber i have ever used it in. I just haven't noticed or seen any big variations in velocity with this powder and caliber in reference to temps and if and when i did it wasn't much. Let me add that here in southeastern NC the temps don't go from one extreme to the next like in some places and honestly i've never shot with the temps in the teens and then in the 90's. I have to say though that you've got my curiosity stirred up a little so i may have to do some shooting. :) Mike

velocity is normaly very good if you get a good lot, accuracy ain't bad either, but you never know when you will get a slow lot, then if your into precision shooting as I am, you have to totally rework the load for that lot. the temp sensitivity is much easier to deal with.
RR

my 6.5 Gibbs's parent case is the 270, it does much better with retumbo or H-1000, I prefer retumbo for the accuracy, velocity is higher with RE22 by about 75 fps on a good lot, but when your running a BC of .7 75 fps ain't squat at 800 yards.
RR

I have switched from RL22 to Retumbo for slightly better Accuracy with 160 gr
Accubonds. Norma MRP, Magpro, and H1000 all had good accuracy. I get a little
over 3000 fps with all except H1000 it gave about 2950 fps. For me IMR7828SSC
gave same speed but a little less accurate.