Hey 350 Rem Mag Guys: RL-15 and 250s

C

Chuck R

Beginner
Aug 13, 2025
26
62
BLUF: Gearing up for a JAN bison hunt in SD

I've got a solid load for Nosler 225 PTs, but want to get back into 250s for this hunt. Last time I played with Speer 250 HotCors I got up to 2500 in my 20" Rem M7 using IMR3031. I've read some good stuff (great stuff) here about RL-15:

https://bigborefan.wordpress.com/20...idges-that-punch-above-their-weight-class-p4/

I could only have wished that my first Rem 7 “Classic” could have had the gun powders available that I used in this new model: notably RL-15 and NOTHING ELSE! It was that powder and the correction of a factory fault that turned the model 673 into the powerhouse I’d drempt of with accuracy to boot! The last group of three that I’d fired from that rifle before it was sold went into 3/8-inch at 100 yds at an average of 2734 fps from the 250gr Speer GS. And that was over 62 grains of RL-15 compressed to 2.82″ COL!
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Just so happens I have a pound of it on hand. Have any of you guys tried RL15 with 250s??

I've also got; IMR4320, TAC, IMR3031, H4198 and Varget, on hand, but I'm really curious about RL-15.

Thanks,

Chuck
 
I tested RL with Hornady 250 SP, achieving 2565 fps. I also tested W748 with Woodleigh 250 RN to deliver 2524 fps. My hunting loads were built around either 200 grain TSX or 225 grain Nosler PT. Powerhouse loads, all.
 
DrMike said:
I tested RL with Hornady 250 SP, achieving 2565 fps. I also tested W748 with Woodleigh 250 RN to deliver 2524 fps. My hunting loads were built around either 200 grain TSX or 225 grain Nosler PT. Powerhouse loads, all.
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Cool, that's about what I'm looking for with the 250s! Couple of quick questions;

Barrel length?
OAL?

My normal hunting loads are the 200 grn Interlock and the 225PTs. I've got 100 of the 200 TSX, but haven't tried them yet.
 
RL15 will achieve 2600 with a 24” barrel pretty easily in a Whelen so I’ll take a stab it will do at least that well in a similar 350 if you’re not constrained to 2.8 in the mag. That was written before Leverevolution, cfe223, pp2000 and a few others were released so you have some more options. I’d say with a 2.8 restriction any of the old standbys like 4064, 3031 and similar will work to get a solid 2500 as !ike showed.

200 TTSX in the Whelen at 2850-2900 is sure a heckuva combo for a normal heavy hunting gun. Matter of fact, I think it’s very good and haven’t loaded 250’s in quite a spell.
 
Twenty-two inch barrel. I kept all OAL at 2.80 inches to fit magazine. My loads worked quite well on moose, elk, and black bear. I never used the cartridge on grizzly, but I had no doubt it would work quite well if the need were to arise.
 
DrMike said:
Twenty-two inch barrel. I kept all OAL at 2.80 inches to fit magazine. My loads worked quite well on moose, elk, and black bear. I never used the cartridge on grizzly, but I had no doubt it would work quite well if the need were to arise.
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For sure Mike. I wouldn’t think twice. I use the 180 TTSX in my 600 350 REM. Even with the short barrel I get 2850 and accuracy is excellent.
 
This is with TAC under the Hornady 200 Interlock @2846Fps:

EF9G0brm.jpg


Zero signs of pressure, so I can go a little higher, but it's shooting well now. I'm using this for deer and pigs.

I'll load up some pressure test loads for the 250s and RL15 today and work my way up. I've already got a 2500 FPS load for 3031 and 250s, really just trying to find a use for the RL15 I was given and seeing IF I can eek a little more out of it.
 
That's a great load you have for the 200 gr bullet and should flatten deer right now. I got 2580 fps with RL15 and the 250 gr PT in my 35 Whelen 22" 1:16 twist barrel and sub MOA accuracy. I would think you would get similar results.

JD338
 
JD338 said:
That's a great load you have for the 200 gr bullet and should flatten deer right now. I got 2580 fps with RL15 and the 250 gr PT in my 35 Whelen 22" 1:16 twist barrel and sub MOA accuracy. I would think you would get similar results.

JD338
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Thanks!

It's another bullet that has surprised me. Initially I was worried about it being more suitable for the 35 Rem, then I saw that they load it in their 35 Whelen ammo. I've shot deer quartering and hogs with it and yet to recover one. When sighted in at 200, it only drops 7" at 300yds, so it's still got some decent range to it.

I built some pressure test loads yesterday, so we'll see.

Thanks for the info!
 
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