Lot to Lot Powder Variance

[D21ALASKA]

How much variance do you guys see between lots of the same type powder usually?

I ask because I just started a new lot of RL22 for my .257 Roberts. I loaded one round a full grain lighter than I had been on the previous, 47.5 vs. 48.5, to work back up and I could barely get the bolt open and the primer fell right out. I'm now at 46.5 with no pressure signs again and getting the same speeds I was a full 2 grains heavier...

Only other change in the equation is that I'm now using full sized, once fired brass. After sizing it's only .002" over new at the shoulder and I compensated bullet seating to maintain .01" off the lands.

I expected a little difference between lots but geeze.

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[DrMike]

RL22 appears to be notorious for the variations in burn rates encountered lot-to-lot. Usually, I've been able to work with the variations, but I do buy in five-pound lots just to avoid that problem.

 

[gerry]

Worst I have seen was with RL 15 back in the day with a similar experience like you just had. Had one hot lot of IMR 4350 years ago but for the most part the Hodgdon and IMR powders have been pretty good when it comes to consistency so far.

 

[ShadeTree]

Lots of examples of wonderful speed and accuracy with Alliant powders. Unfortunately it also seems to be at the top of the list for the amount of complaints about this very thing.

 

[D21ALASKA]

Thanks guys. At least now I know I'm not going crazy. Now to get a consistent load with this lot. It's all over the place now...

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[Guy Miner]

Ya, I've even had factory Winchester 308 rounds blow the primer and be hard to extract! I don't know what powder they were using but I truly wish I'd had a chronograph for that ammo...

Maybe they were trying to load it to 300 Win Mag velocity? :roll:

RL-22 is a staple of mine and I haven't seen huge variances, but some, yes. No - I can't give you numbers, none of the variations were anything nasty.

Guy

 

[D21ALASKA]

Just so happens I had the magneto speed on the rifle when I took that first shot Guy. 3063 fps. at 47.5 grains, which interestingly enough is exactly 100 fps. faster than my 48.5 grain average out of a a 20" barrel. Sucker still hit dead on though.

I'm getting the feeling that this rifle isn't picky and just plain shoots. Luckily I have 4lbs of this same lot so I think I may just keep it for this rifle and pick up another jug to use with the '06 when I need it. They're my only two rifles that seem to like it.

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[1Shot]

That is the reason that I never went with RL powders. The only RL powder I have ever used is some RL 7 and the reason for that was I bought two pounds with same lot number from a fellow CHEAP that was converting all his possessions into cash that his wife could not trace while going through a divorce. LOL Only thing I have tried it in is 223 Rem. and it really shoots with 55s.