Norma powder load data for .308

[drjjl]

I stumbled across some Norma 202 and 203b powder that I'd like to try in my 308 with some 155 scenars..the usual powders are hard to come by for me. I've searched the 308 load post, the forums, and the Internet in general with little success. Has anyone used these powders with the 155 scenar that has any load data available? Thanks in advance.

 

[milo 2.0]

Here's some data from Norma, though they're not going to list the scenar!

308 Winchester - Norma

 

[drjjl]

Thank you for the reply. I did see that chart. I guess I could start with the minimum load for the 155smk and work up from there...even though the scenar is a longer bullet.

 

[milo 2.0]

Here would be another way to go by comparing burn rate charts??

Products - Lapua
203B is close to N140-N540

 

[Advokaten]

The 202 is a very forgiving powder, even though the 155 Scenar is a lot longer than the 155 Sierra that is listed with Norma I would go with about 42,0-42,5 grains 202, standard primer and a COL that is longer than in the loading data here: 308 Winchester - Norma

My experience with the 203-b is that it is a lot less forgiving, pressure will spike hard when the loads get to hot, however the load data above states that a 168 SMK can be loaded with 44,8 grains of 203-B and that with a WMLRP, so in my perspective I would not hesitate to start with the 155 Scenar at around 43-44 grains, standard primer and a COL that is longer than suggested.

Note the last time I shot the 155 Sierra Palma and Scenar I just substituted the two and used the load I had from the Palma to the Scenar at the same COL the Scenar load was to hot however given the same lenght to ogive and the same seating depth as the Palma it worked out fine, even though it was a single feed ordeal to shoot the Scenar. That bit speaks volymes about the freebore I had in my old sako 308 Win barrel.

Out of the two powders the 203-b will give better velocities still some people here just can not seem to make it shoot well enough, the 202 is designed for the 308 Win case and a load of 42,5 grains is a lot like that 43 ish grain load of Varget that I usually read about here, producing great accuracy with a great number of bullets.

Well that is my 2c worth /Chris

 

[drjjl]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with norma powder.

The 202 is a very forgiving powder, even though the 155 Scenar is a lot longer than the 155 Sierra that is listed with Norma I would go with about 42,0-42,5 grains 202, standard primer and a COL that is longer than in the loading data here: 308 Winchester - Norma

My experience with the 203-b is that it is a lot less forgiving, pressure will spike hard when the loads get to hot, however the load data above states that a 168 SMK can be loaded with 44,8 grains of 203-B and that with a WMLRP, so in my perspective I would not hesitate to start with the 155 Scenar at around 43-44 grains, standard primer and a COL that is longer than suggested.

Note the last time I shot the 155 Sierra Palma and Scenar I just substituted the two and used the load I had from the Palma to the Scenar at the same COL the Scenar load was to hot however given the same lenght to ogive and the same seating depth as the Palma it worked out fine, even though it was a single feed ordeal to shoot the Scenar. That bit speaks volymes about the freebore I had in my old sako 308 Win barrel.

Out of the two powders the 203-b will give better velocities still some people here just can not seem to make it shoot well enough, the 202 is designed for the 308 Win case and a load of 42,5 grains is a lot like that 43 ish grain load of Varget that I usually read about here, producing great accuracy with a great number of bullets.

Well that is my 2c worth /Chris

 

[BobinNC]

Norma Powders were re badged and imported by Hercules as the Reloader Series. Hercules was then taken over by Alliant Powder:

Thus the same formulations are used by both:

Norma MRP is = RL-22
N204 is = RL-19
N203B is = RL-15
N202 is = RL-12
N201 is = RL-7

The usual cautions apply, work up from below, but the load data for Norma Powders and the Reloader Series noted above are the same.

 

[Advokaten]

Norma Powders were re badged and imported by Hercules as the Reloader Series. Hercules was then taken over by Alliant Powder:

Thus the same formulations are used by both:

Norma MRP is = RL-22
N204 is = RL-19
N203B is = RL-15
N202 is = RL-12
N201 is = RL-7

The usual cautions apply, work up from below, but the load data for Norma Powders and the Reloader Series noted above are the same.

About what Mr Bobin states, I know that there are info stating that the powders are the same, and they ought to have the same load data, however there are two things I feel need to be further developed around this.

First, the Norma powders are made in Sweden ( at least that is the information we are given), and I do believe that the Reloader are made else were (Germany or Polen according to info, still within the RUAG company), the 202 powder is really consistent from year to year and lot to lot, but the 203-b is not, on the contrary it varies a lot, that is something to consider.

Second we do get both Reloader series here and another powder called Rhino, they are all sold as "being the same as" and then there is the list that Mr Bobin made above presented, however knowledgable reloaders that frequent the same Swedish forums as I do assures me that there are differences and like always it´s the foreign stuff that is the best, they state that Re-25 is a lot better than MRP and URP the two powders that are close in burning rate to the RE-powder.

I really cannot say what to make of all that other than the caution that was given above is very valid.

As a last note, the 202 powders is a really nice semishort stick powder, it meters well making it easier to work with unlike MRP/URP and 204 all though I guess that was never part of the question./CHris

 

[BobinNC]

About what Mr Bobin states, I know that there are info stating that the powders are the same, and they ought to have the same load data, however there are two things I feel need to be further developed around this.

First, the Norma powders are made in Sweden ( at least that is the information we are given), and I do believe that the Reloader are made else were (Germany or Polen according to info, still within the RUAG company), the 202 powder is really consistent from year to year and lot to lot, but the 203-b is not, on the contrary it varies a lot, that is something to consider.

Second we do get both Reloader series here and another powder called Rhino, they are all sold as "being the same as" and then there is the list that Mr Bobin made above presented, however knowledgable reloaders that frequent the same Swedish forums as I do assures me that there are differences and like always it´s the foreign stuff that is the best, they state that Re-25 is a lot better than MRP and URP the two powders that are close in burning rate to the RE-powder.

I really cannot say what to make of all that other than the caution that was given above is very valid.

As a last note, the 202 powders is a really nice semishort stick powder, it meters well making it easier to work with unlike MRP/URP and 204 all though I guess that was never part of the question./CHris

Advokaten,

Somehow I missed your post way back in June. But I have some information that I obtained back in 2010 that might be of interest to you. It says that Bofors is the manufacturer of the following powders and how they are re-badged/renamed:

RWS Rhino Name Alliant Name
Rhino 10 (RP10) Rl-10x
Rhino 15 (RP15) Rl-15
Rhino 19 (RP19) Rl-19
Rhino 22 (RP22) RL-22
Rhino 25 (RP25) Rl-25

RWS Rhino Name Norma Name
RP9 Norma 200
RP11 Norma 201
RP14 Norma 202
RP15 Norma 203b
RP18 Norma 204
RP22 Norma MRP
RP30 Norma MRP-2


Norma Name Alliant Name
Norma 202 RL-12
Norma 203b RL-15
Norma 204 RL-19
Norma MRP Rl-22

Winchester Name Alliant Name
WXR Rl-22

The usual cautions apply, work up from below, when substituting one powder for another, as powder lots can and do change and this data is at least 3 years old.

 

[Enough Said]

TAG. Good cross reference of powder.

 

[Ultraman550]

Pulling up an old thread but since I have an 8lb' er of 203-B I wanted to add to this thread. If any of you had the perfect load with RL-15 and had to switch because of this BS going on this might be what you need if you haven't found the same type of load for your rifle.


Alliant Reloder 15 Vs. Norma 203B ? The Numbers Tell All « Daily Bulletin

 

[Chickentoast]

Back from the dead... anyone know if URP = RL16? And generally, RL16 takes approx 1 grain more than RL17 for similar velocity?
RL17 load for this 308 is 45 grains w/ 208 eld-m COAL 3.043. I saw slight pressure beginning at 46.5. Planning on starting RL16 test @ 44 grains. Also have 8lbs URP and wondering if it will be identical to the RL16 load, once found.

 

[Chickentoast]

Tested the URP, found 2 nice nodes for my rifle, a 24" 700 5R. My COAL is 3.043. 5-shot groups @ 100 yds.