Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Reloader 15 in the 7mm-08

I keep hearing great things about RL 15 in the 7mm-08. I tried the search but got no results.

I'm using 140 grain Partitions and Accubonds, getting 2880 and 2840 MV, respectively, from my T3 with Big Game. RL 15 is plenty available so I'm contemplating a switch.

What loads work well for you and what are the corresponding velocities?

Thanks,



P

Pharmseller,

I have been reading the same good reports. Wish I could help but my 7-08's are fed a steady diet of 140 gr NAB's and Varget with pretty good results. However after just trying out the NBT 120's (with Varget) and reading about some of the R15 results I am going to pick up a pound. Interested in the feedback you receive. By the way I cannot find BG so why not give the Alliant powder a try...

The two best powders for accuracy in my 7mm-08 Tikka T3 for 140, 145 grain and 150 grain bullets (Barnes, TTSX, Speer Grand Slam and Nosler Partition) has been RL 17 and Varget. I would be hard pressed to pick between the two for accuracy, although RL 17 seems to be just a bit hotter. One of my favorite loads (for accuracy and velocity) is the factory loaded 156 grain Norma Oryx that I bought on sale primarily for deer hunting and for the brass. The Norma Oryx factory loads also very accurate in my 9.3x62.

The 7mm08 I have worked with seems to shoot about anything very well.. I have used I4350, Varget, Re15, I think 4895..
I never checked the speed, but they were all very accurate with 100's to 160's and 168's.. Right now I am shooting 120 gr. BTBT, and some 168 Berger.. It just seems to want to shoot everything very well..

Several powders work really well, but since your question is about RL 15, I'll stick to what works for me in 7mm-08. 120 gr. BT's and TTSX's both shoot less than an inch with a velocity of about 3100 fps pushed by 44.0 grains with a Federal 210 primer. Same accuracy with 140 gr. Partitions with the only change being to reduce the powder charge to 42.0 gr. for 2800 fps. All loading has been in Remington brass, but I've got 100 new Lapua sitting on the shelf to try. Hope that my loads work equally well for you......

My experience is similar to Lastround's.

42 grs of Re15 gives right around 2800 fps in two 7-08s I have while pushing either 140 gr Nos ABs or BTs.

R-P cases
2.8" OAL
CCI 200

150 BT
41.5 gr R15
Necked down RP .308 Win brass
Fed 210m primers

Very accurate in my Tikkas.

Thanks for the responses.


P

I talked to Reliant this morning and got some info for RL 17. Starting load 44 grains, max at 48.7 grains, for 2926 ft/sec from a 24" barrel.

17 is on the shelf, I'm going to pick some up today.



P

Let us know how it goes. R17 is the powder I use in 7-08 loads with 150 BTs.

The 2 powders I've used with good results are Varget and one of the 4350's. I've used them with 140-160 gr. bullets; haven't chronoed in quite a while but was getting about 2800 with either powder with the 140's. Can't imagine Re15 being much different than Varget.

RL15 with 145 Speers and 140NBT in mine is doing very well.

RL-15 is not only very good in the 7-08 but the Ackley Improved version.

Have found 15 noticeably more temperature resistant than 17, if that's a concern.

It doesn't get any better.

MM

Agreed. 120's with 44-45grs gets "me" ~3000 in a 22" barrel.
It's like cheatin...42grs with a 150BT is almost as good at 2800....

I get a little more velocity from Big Game, but RL15 has been consistently accurate with 120s and 140s in this cartridge. The above mentioned 44-45 grains of RL15 with a 120 Nosler is a great game load with minimal recoil.

Yep its like 4350 in the 30-06 the majority of the time it just works.

Mr Mule Deer
Temp resistant I do my velocity checks at hunting temps do I have go worry about velocity change ? Reloader 17 is the powder I'm using in my 30-06 and 7mm rem mag

I'm gonna try that 150 BT/42g RL 15 load when it cools down some. I've only tried 150BT's with H414 so far. It was Ok at 1.25", but nothing to write home about.

byd,

If your hunting temperatures don't vary much, then you're good to go.

Here in Montana I can end up hunting in temperatures varying over 100 degrees throughout the year, so tend to be a little more demanding of powders than hunters from other parts of the country.