Reloader 22 and Temperature

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SteveM63

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I'm new to reloading and have just found what looks like a good load for my 30-06 that uses Reloader 22. I have just one worry (about this anyway :D) I have heard that reloader 22 is temperature sensitive. Looking on the internet I have found that some say it is sensitive and some say it isn't. My question is this; Has anyone experienced problems with temp. sensitivity with this, and if so, would it be noticeable in a hunting situation. (max shot distance would be maybe 250yds)
Thanks
Steve
 
Steve, I think this bit about temperature sensitivity is one of the many things about modern reloading instructions, that is greatly over rated.
Severe temperatures, hot or cold, will effect the powder in our cartridges and some powders are affected more than others.
But, for the most part, it is pretty minor, and not noticeable in the normal variations of temperature we usually shoot in.
Myself, I just load the powder of my choice, at what ever temperature happens to exist, then I shoot that load any time, or place I choose.
Loading and shooting is supposed to be fun and a hobby. One shouldn't have to worry about every miniscule condition. Load, shoot and have fun.
 
H4831 said:
Steve, I think this bit about temperature sensitivity is one of the many things about modern reloading instructions, that is greatly over rated.
Severe temperatures, hot or cold, will effect the powder in our cartridges and some powders are affected more than others.
But, for the most part, it is pretty minor, and not noticeable in the normal variations of temperature we usually shoot in.
Myself, I just load the powder of my choice, at what ever temperature happens to exist, then I shoot that load any time, or place I choose.
Loading and shooting is supposed to be fun and a hobby. One shouldn't have to worry about every miniscule condition. Load, shoot and have fun.
Click to expand...

Right on the button Bruce. I've used it hot and cold. Nothing to add.

If anyone has any documented proof of experiments that have been done that show this powder is much more sensitive to temperature extremes than any other, I'd really like to see it.

"My buddies uncle Bob had 12 misfires with his reloads using this powder" doesn't mean a thing to me.

Maybe it's time I started putting this one to bed since I use the stuff and have extreme temps here. This will take me 9 to 10 months, so don't hold your breath waiting for the results guys.
 
i use mag primers with any slow burning powder i may hunt with. i 'm thinking if the cold or hot caused a variance of a few feet it won't be noticed at hunting ranges.
 
In my earlier reloading days I had worked up a load for a 264 win mag with RL-22 in spring weather with no problems, I used it again on a hot summer day and needed a piece of lumber to open the bolt again. Needless to said I was already on the ragged edge but let this be food for though as far RL-22's temperature sensitivity.

That being said I still use that power in a few cartridges.....Im just a little smarter about it.

I read that Norma's MRP powder has the same burn rate of RL-22 but it is temperature insensitive.
 
Every powder is temperature sensitive but RL 22 and many other Reloder powders are less sensitive to temperature variations. H4831 and some others are better as well. Best advice is to develop your load for the temps you'll be hunting at and practice with it throughout the season so you know how your round is performing.
 
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One thing to consider as far as performance is air density changes due to temperature. I found that one out the hard way during a match. Did my sighting in and drops when it was 0C outside. A week later during a long range shoot, it was +20C. My rounds were hitting 5" higher at 600 meters. The day of the match isn't the time to be learning this. :redface:
 
re22 is a great powder, I generally start with it in magnums. I'm a bit surprised it ended up being the powder of choice for an 06 though, I thought it was a bit slow.

If it doesn't work out a great powder to use in the 30-06 in 165 and 180 gr bullet weights is H4350 and it is temp sensitive.

I wouldn't buy it or not use re22 for that reason though.
 
It's a little different with every cartridge/bullet/primer combination. There's only one way to find out if YOUR combination is particularily temp sensitive or not...
 
Pathfinder said:
I read that Norma's MRP powder has the same burn rate of RL-22 but it is temperature insensitive.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:

RL22 has the exact same burn rate as MRP because it IS the same powder. Made by Bofors in Sweden.

I read a thread on a American forum talking about RL22. One chap cronied his reloads in the summer then did the same on a cold winters day. His winter velocity average was a bit faster then his summer test results.

In other words, if the Swedes can't make a powder that works in the cold, then no one can.

Sticker
 
Sticker said:
:rolleyes:

RL22 has the exact same burn rate as MRP because it IS the same powder. Made by Bofors in Sweden.

I read a thread on a American forum talking about RL22. One chap cronied his reloads in the summer then did the same on a cold winters day. His winter velocity average was a bit faster then his summer test results.

In other words, if the Swedes can't make a powder that works in the cold, then no one can.

Sticker
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Im glad some guy on an american forum was able to share his chrony results with you....but when I finally managed to open the bolt on my rifle and the primer fell out of the case I decided that RL-22 was "slightly sensitive" :rolleyes:

If MRP and RL-22 are the same powder why are they two different items on burn rate charts ? (mrp being a bit faster than rl-22 on this chart) http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/pdfs/Burning-Rate-Chart.pdf

Also MRP has a different coating and the kernels are of a smaller diameter.
 
Sticker said:
:rolleyes:

RL22 has the exact same burn rate as MRP because it IS the same powder. Made by Bofors in Sweden.

I read a thread on a American forum talking about RL22. One chap cronied his reloads in the summer then did the same on a cold winters day. His winter velocity average was a bit faster then his summer test results.

In other words, if the Swedes can't make a powder that works in the cold, then no one can.

Sticker
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What information do you have that RL22 and Norma MRP are the same?
I found this:

Posted - Feb 23 2007 : 01:05:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one powder I never got around to trying out in my rifles and I regret not having done so....I have been reading the reviews of such men as Clay Harvey, Bob Hagel, and Ken Waters...and they all concur on the excellent results they obtained using Norma MRP in a wide variety of cartridges....All three agreed it was the best of the slow burners in the .338 Win Mag when using bullets of 225 to 275 grains...giving the highest velocities within safe pressure limits....The .270 Win and MRP combined to give velocities equal to or better than when using the old reliable H4831 with medium to heavy bullets in this cartridge....Ken Waters documented his findings in his Pet Loads....The 30-06 with 180 grain bullets and up turned in the fastest velocities as well, according to his tables and loads....Accuracy was consistently splendid across a wide range of cartridges....Today, powders such as RL-19, RL-22, and Ramshot Magnum may do a better job for a particular cartridge and bullet weight, but Norma MRP was a standout on a much wider scale.....Perhaps if all our sins are forgiven, maybe one day in the future we will see Norma MRP back on the shelf at your local reloading supply retailer...


Curly
 
From the A-Square Handloading and rifle manual, titled "Any Shot you want,"

Starting at the bottom of page 274:

"Reloader-22 is exactly the same thing as Norma-MRP. Reloader-19 is exactly the same thing as Norma-204. Reloader-15 is exactly the same thing as Norma-203. These powders come from exactly the same plant and are made at exactly the same time. The powder from that plant is simply shipped to a different place and is put into a different consumer pack."

Don't agree, take it up with A-Square.

Sticker
 
Sticker said:
From the A-Square Handloading and rifle manual, titled "Any Shot you want,"

Starting at the bottom of page 274:

"Reloader-22 is exactly the same thing as Norma-MRP. Reloader-19 is exactly the same thing as Norma-204. Reloader-15 is exactly the same thing as Norma-203. These powders come from exactly the same plant and are made at exactly the same time. The powder from that plant is simply shipped to a different place and is put into a different consumer pack."

Don't agree, take it up with A-Square.

Sticker
Click to expand...

Whoever from A-Square that wrote this up is full of hooey!! I actually phoned Sweden on this one about 4 years ago. Norma 205, Norma MRP and RP-5 Bofors are basically the same powder.
Reloder 22 is Not the exact same. Quite close but not exactly. Reloder 19 is noticeably slower burning than is Norma 204. I ran out of 203 years ago, but suspect that Reloder 15 is not the same as it either. However, since I cannot compare, I cannot dogmatically say one way or other.
As far as temp sensitivity goes, I'm with H4831 on this one. Load it up, make sure it works fine in lower and higher temps, and quit worrying about it!
If you are a long range competitor, then you may want to pay a bit more attention. For the average hunter, it is a non-issue IMHO. Eagleye.
 
R22 is very good powder, outstanding in the 6.5/55 cartridge, as well as quite a few others.
My experience has indicated a tendency of this power to show it's best accuracy at max. pressures. Loads developed in winter to max., will go moderately overpressure at +- 80F in my swedes. No biggy if you know it's coming, my summer load holds 6 tenth's of a grain less powder than the winter loads, and all is good.

You could, of course, just load down a bit and chug merrily along year round, nice and simple, but then that clear accuracy and speed advantage diminishes as well.

The 30/06 runs very sporty with this powder, seems less temp sensitive in the larger bore too. With only 2-3 hundred rounds tested over 3 years, that cal. is still a work in progress here in vviking land.

That temperature will affect all powders, is a given, IMHO.
Full auto 'cook-off's' just mangle the case.
A round left in a very hot chamber before firing will show more pressure signs than the other empties from that string.
 
It's not like temperature sensitivity is an on/off switch. All powders are affected by temperature changes to some degree, some more than others, and in some cartridge/bullet/powder combinations more than others.
 
vviking said:
R22 is very good powder, outstanding in the 6.5/55 cartridge, as well as quite a few others.
My experience has indicated a tendency of this power to show it's best accuracy at max. pressures. Loads developed in winter to max., will go moderately overpressure at +- 80F in my swedes. No biggy if you know it's coming, my summer load holds 6 tenth's of a grain less powder than the winter loads, and all is good.

You could, of course, just load down a bit and chug merrily along year round, nice and simple, but then that clear accuracy and speed advantage diminishes as well.

The 30/06 runs very sporty with this powder, seems less temp sensitive in the larger bore too. With only 2-3 hundred rounds tested over 3 years, that cal. is still a work in progress here in vviking land.

That temperature will affect all powders, is a given, IMHO.
Full auto 'cook-off's' just mangle the case.
A round left in a very hot chamber before firing will show more pressure signs than the other empties from that string.
Click to expand...

A "cook-off" can mangle more than just the case:D We had a 30. cal gpmg cook off during TQ3 in Shilo; cover pieces everywhere. That was on a hot Aug. day. We also had a M109 round ground out about 100m down range during direct fire in the same course. We were real lucky no one was killed never mind hurt in either one.

The loads I'm looking at are 61.5grs and 62.5grs (Load 11582, Load 10438 from Reloaders Nest). Both loads call for Nosler partitions 165grs is there any dangers in switching up bullets, say to a Barnes TSX of equal weight? Would this cause a drastic pressure change?
Thanks again
Steve
 
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