Rl-33

[gm9658]

Anyone using this in the 338 Lapua or 338RUM? Any data for 250gr bullets?

 

[J.J. Kelly]

I was planning on using a 250 gr bullet, federal 215m primer, retumbo, lapua cases. Ended up using Hornady factory 250 gr
and then reloaded the brass. My best groups with 250 gr bullets was 100.5 grs of RL-33. CCI-250 primer, I got 1" at 300 yards.
My Armalite AR-30a1 likes 300 gr. bullets better. I recently got 12 lb of Retumbo and want to stay with that.

 

[gm9658]

TTT bumpity

 

[milo 2.0]

Though not the same, I have a friend who shoots a 300 Norma mag, started out using VV N 570, he no longer wants to pay the price and looked into RL 33. I really don't have data for you, but don't see why you couldn't split the diff between N570 and 24N41 VV powders, using your head of course, and find something.

Link- Products - Lapua

 

[Enough Said]

I've got 8 pounds but have not used it yet.

Hope that helps!!! LOL

Sorry. Can't wait to give it a try, but not until I run low on Vv N570.

 

[Tango down]

I've got 8 pounds but have not used it yet.

Hope that helps!!! LOL

Sorry. Can't wait to give it a try, but not until I run low on Vv N570.

Betcha the OP is thrilled with that one...Let's make it worst, got 8 lbs too but did not use it either...
Actually, it is not totally true, thinking about it, did use it once and I think it was with 300 SMK. If I recall properly, it gave a nice couple of 3 shots groups at 100 yards with 94.5 gr, no FPS, didn't have the chronograph on that day. Didn't use it again since, as I have been experimenting with H1000 but I do remember shooting it up to 97.5 gr (also with 300 SMK) with no pressure signs whatsoever. Rifle was a TRG 42 .338LM 1:10 twist.
gm9658, if you end up using RL33, let us know how it works for you.
Good shooting.

 

[kaseyfield]

I have been doing load workup with RL.33.. rifle specs are as followed
26 inch 1/9.5 twist rock creek 5c
stiller tac 338
seekins box man coal
mcmillian stock.
night force scope


I started at 91 grains to b safe but that low IMO.. they say max is 97.5 with their published fps at 2750 with 300smk and 24 inch bbl.. I find that hard to believe.. I have my rounds seated to 3.050 to ogive not bullet tip.. 300g otms.. I did 1 grain increments to just get a baseline.. I went up to 103 grains which was compressed for my seating depth.. had a little bolt lift at 103.. but no other pressure signs like flat primers.. loose primer pockets or ejector marks.. I did the test at 200.. the low end started with 2450 fps. and 103 for my rifle and chrono told me 2840.. drop chart will confirm. all loads shot into a 2 inch cluster at 200 with 99-102 shooting into 1 rag hole.. I loaded up 5 at 100.. 5 at 100.5 and so on and went to 500.. 100.5 got me 2770 average.. with an es of 9.. and shot 1.8 inches.. the others did almost as well.. yes was a little higher in the teens.. I would b happy with any of those loads they shot under 1/3 moa easy!!!! I have also done testing from 30 degrees to 70 and so far barley any spike in fps.. this powder is GTG in my opinion.. hope this helps.. oh and the berger bullets are around .050 longer than the smk's.. I tried those and had no bolt lift at 103.. but love what the bergers do on elk!!!! again hope this helps.. oh and testing was done at:
altittude- 500ft
temp: 50 degrees
inhg-29.4

Kasey field

 

[gm9658]

Thanks for a lot of good info

 

[gm9658]

To The Top

 

[gm9658]

To the top

 

[Straight Shooter]

RL33 and 300 grain Berger quick test last night.

Straight Shooter Custom Rifle
30" PacNor 5 groove 1:9.5 twist

Elevation 200
Temp 50
4pm
Lapua Brass
Fed 215
Berger 300 OTM
OAL 3.900"

Highest load tested was 99 grains ave 2865 with MagnitoSpeed. No pressure. Bolt nearly drops shut on fired brass. Interesting note that there was no muzzle flash despite very low light level.

Base load Retumbo 93 grains 2830 fps.

Next time out will prep 5 each from 100 to 105 in 1/2 grain steps. If it fit's.

No accuracy info. Was shooting 980 yards into dirt bank in severe coastal wind. All shots were within 24" of aiming point with chrono attached. Getting a lot of wind lift.


The Berger 300 worked great on elk last weekend. 630 yards into chest. Exited left side taking lung with it. Very little bloodshot. 1 shot game over.

 

[azsugarbear]

There is a good thread on RL33 and the 338 Lapua over on LRH.

 

[Straight Shooter]

I looked at a couple over there but do not see anything as good as this one. There is one called reloader 33 in 338 Lapua but it started on the 250 grain bullet and went off track quick. Any others with info specific to the 300 grain Berger with RL33?

 

[Tango down]

I looked at a couple over there but do not see anything as good as this one. There is one called reloader 33 in 338 Lapua but it started on the 250 grain bullet and went off track quick. Any others with info specific to the 300 grain Berger with RL33?

Straight Shooter

100.5 gr RL 33 in TRG 42, 1-10 twist .338LM, bullets 300 Scenar, no pressure signs whatsoever, Scenars were loaded .02 off lands Don't have OTB length in memory, elevation, humidity, DA or FPS, away from data book but Temp was around 44 . Also shot Berger 300 OTM with 100 gr, no pressure signs there too.
Still working on finding an accurate load, thought I had it at 100 gr with 300 Scenar but what worked one day did not the next, could be something off with my my reloads, as after checking, everything was tight on the rifle, aluminum frame included; or I sucked on that day
Will go back for more soon; keep us posted on how it works for you.
Congrats for the elk; did you use the 300 OTM, or the 300 Elite Hunter?

 

[Straight Shooter]

Brady shot the Elk. We were still using our tried and proven older Berger 300 grain Hybrid. PN 33401. That was the 93 grain Retumbo load that has worked so well for us. Two years, two dead elk. No bullets recovered. One end to end and then this years semi quartering head on shot. We didn't want to make any changes right before Elk season. We are now working up the OTM with the RL 33 looking for more speed. We have three really nice 338 Lapuas coming up. The one is semi custom in the lathe getting chambered today is a 26" rifle. The other two are 30" barrels. We want to have some solid load data for them. I'm really itching to try out the new March 5-50 scopes. If all goes well we will be testing again this weekend or early next week.

 

[Tango down]

Brady shot the Elk. We were still using our tried and proven older Berger 300 grain Hybrid. PN 33401. That was the 93 grain Retumbo load that has worked so well for us. Two years, two dead elk. No bullets recovered. One end to end and then this years semi quartering head on shot. We didn't want to make any changes right before Elk season. We are now working up the OTM with the RL 33 looking for more speed. We have three really nice 338 Lapuas coming up. The one is semi custom in the lathe getting chambered today is a 26" rifle. The other two are 30" barrels. We want to have some solid load data for them. I'm really itching to try out the new March 5-50 scopes. If all goes well we will be testing again this weekend or early next week.

Looking forward to see the next .338 sticks, as well as the results with RL 33.
Keep up the good work and good shooting

 

[lte82]

I'm shooting an extremely mild load of 92gr RL33 and 300gr scenars in lapua brass, but it makes ~2590 fps and is lights out accurate. COAL of 3.68". I'm pretty sure my brass would last forever with this load, which is partially why I don't want to go any higher ha!

I know there is supposedly a node around 98-100gr RL33 according to the OBT, but I haven't played that high yet. Seeing you all shoot 100+ gr with no pressure signs makes me a lot more comfortable though now.

 

[Tango down]

I'm shooting an extremely mild load of 92gr RL33 and 300gr scenars in lapua brass, but it makes ~2590 fps and is lights out accurate. COAL of 3.68". I'm pretty sure my brass would last forever with this load, which is partially why I don't want to go any higher ha!

I know there is supposedly a node around 98-100gr RL33 according to the OBT, but I haven't played that high yet. Seeing you all shoot 100+ gr with no pressure signs makes me a lot more comfortable though now.

Lights out accurate is good also had good results with 94.5 gr of RL 33 with 300 SMK, so not so hot either; did not have a chrony handy at the time but it was very accurate in my TRG. I guess we sometimes get caught in the horsepower game for these far and away shots but the hottest loads are not necessarily the most accurate ones, or should I say "rarely".

 

[Alaska]

RL 33 my go to powder in my lapua

Use Alliant recommendations very good load

Most have 26" tubes

My rem 700 I hunt with it and use the 250 Part Gold and 98.0 of RL 33 for 2950 FPS.

 

[jkonzal]

I'm sorry this is not about RL-33, but reading thru this thread made me take note of the MV that people are getting with RL-33. I use 91gr of RL-25 with 300gr SMK's thru a 30" tube and get 2951fps. Gun shoots 1/2moa and I have shot it out to 1900 yards.

 

[Sako man]

I'm shooting an extremely mild load

Better have the doctor check that out.

Ok, jokes aside. I am having a hard time finding more Retumbo or H1000 and am thinking of getting some RL33 which is more available at the moment. Do you find your cleaning a lot of carbon out of the barrel after shooting with RL33?

Thanks

 

[Straight Shooter]

With max loads ours is running pretty clean. At starting loads it made a lot of smoke and left a pretty good mess. 99 grains up to 101.5 runs really clean in the Lapua with 300 grain Bergers. 2945fps at 101 grains off hand. I don't have my notes handy. Minimal smoke and no muzzle flash with 30" barrel shooting at last light. It seems every bit as clean running as the Retumbo.

 

[lte82]

Better have the doctor check that out.

Ok, jokes aside. I am having a hard time finding more Retumbo or H1000 and am thinking of getting some RL33 which is more available at the moment. Do you find your cleaning a lot of carbon out of the barrel after shooting with RL33?

Thanks

My barrel does get dirty pretty quick, but it's not too bad really. I say try it out, it's a very good powder accuracy and velocity wise.