Norma 202 powder

[tostado22]

Has anyone used Norma 202 powder for .308? I got ahold of a couple of pounds as it was the only powder I could find that was recommended for 308. I've read that it is the same mix as RL-12 but I still haven't found much info on how well RL-12 performs. Based on the little bit of info I've found, it seems like this would be better suited for lighter bullets.

I'll be loading it in FC brass with CCI primers and 175gr SMKs.

For some background, I have been reloading for a few years but almost all of that has been bulk .45 ACP. I'm pretty new to the precision reloading game so any advice is greatly appreciated! I've already learned a lot on this forum.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

I have not, but I would, according to a brief research.

 

[dmike]

I've used a few pounds for 308 over the last year, I'll pull up my data. What rifle are you using?

 

[tostado22]

Its out of a Rem 700 AAC, 20" in a Manners T6A. This thing shoots well with FGMM 175s but I wasn't sure on a good powder for the short barrel.

 

[dmike]

Okay got my data. By the way there's a post from last year that might help too:
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...epot/195405-norma-powder-load-data-308-a.html

I was scrounging powder so I did a survey in my GAP-10 as well as my 700 SPS 26" 1-12, all with 178AMAX. Following recipes are for the bolt gun with 178s:

Fed GMM brass
Fed 210 primer
39.8gr 202
2.85 COAL
This is a slower load, only about 2500fps in my 26.

It stayed sub-moa as I went up in weight from 39.8 to 40.4.

40.3 was 0.3 MOA at 2515 fps, seated at 2.88

PLEASE VERIFY YOUR MAX LOAD, these numbers are for my rifle and could exceed safe pressures in your weapon.

I also had good results from 41.4 through 42.0, seated long (2.85-2.90 COAL). All groups at 380 yards:

41.6 in was .1-.5 MOA at 380 yards, MV 2600ish...picture "C" is 3 shots at 380yds. I've never been able to repeat that group! But G1-G5 is 5 shots of the same load a month later. *I shot a match at 1000 with 41.6 at 2.90 COAL and the bullets were stable (better than my 175s with 4064).

41.7 at 2.85 was .54MOA, MV 2600 (pic G6-10)
41.9 at 2.89 was .72MOA, MV 2600 (pic E6-10)
41.9 at 2.85 was .65MOA, MV 2620 (pic 3A-E)

back around June I moved on to other powders but looking at these numbers I'm thinking I had it pretty good with the 202!

 

[tostado22]

Wow good info, thanks! I'm on my phone so I can't see the pics right now but those numbers make me feel better. I really appreciate the work, I haven't found that thread before either.

Sounds like I've got some work to do. As soon as my new expander die gets here I'll be ready to load. In the mean time I guess I'll start sorting brass since I'm a little new to that.

Those MVs make me feel better too. I've got a chrono but I wasn't sure how much velocity I would be getting with 175s and a 20" barrel.

As far as pressures go, how did your results compare to the load data from Norma? Seems like a small window they give you to work in.

 

[dmike]

As far as pressures go, how did your results compare to the load data from Norma? Seems like a small window they give you to work in.

I didn't have any issues but I would definitely start conservatively and go up slowly.