RCMs and newer powders

[Balthazar]

I jumped on the RCM bandwagon, when they first made the scene years ago, and have enjoyed both the 300 and 338,
especially the ease of handling with the 20" barrel inside a 4x4 box blind with its limited room and when worming my
way in the thick stuff. Reading some of the older posts, there seems to be a few advocates of the breed.....rightly so.

Since their introduction, quite a few newer powders have been added to the reloaders' bench, but not a lot of info in
their use in the RCMs. Dr. Mike was good enough to post QL data for 414, H4350 and IMR4350 in the 22" barrel for a
forum member back then, and I've used that in loading my RCM 300. Since Ruger and Hornady have more or less
abandoned the pair of cartridges, it's up to the reloader to fend for themselves.

Just wondering if some of the newer wizz-bang explosives can add a few more fps and what quick-load has to say about
using a 165 NosBoatTail for deer and a 180 E-Tip or CX for the bigger cousins...THX

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : .300 RCM
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler BalTip 30165
Useable Case Capaci: 65.136 grain H2O = 4.229 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.840 inch = 72.14 mm
Barrel Length      : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder             : Winchester 6,5 StaBall *T*C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   94    60.93   2579    2436   44120  10743     97.3    1.163
-09.0   95    61.61   2609    2494   45685  10858     97.7    1.144
-08.0   96    62.28   2639    2552   47314  10967     98.1    1.126
-07.0   97    62.96   2670    2611   49005  11070     98.4    1.107
-06.0   98    63.64   2700    2671   50765  11169     98.7    1.089
-05.0  100    64.32   2730    2731   52595  11261     99.0    1.072
-04.0  101    64.99   2760    2792   54477  11348     99.2    1.054  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  102    65.67   2791    2853   56482  11428     99.4    1.037  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  103    66.35   2821    2916   58548  11503     99.6    1.020  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  104    67.02   2851    2978   60701  11571     99.8    1.004  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  105    67.70   2881    3042   62945  11632     99.9    0.988  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  106    68.38   2912    3106   65286  11686    100.0    0.972  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  107    69.05   2942    3170   67729  11734    100.0    0.956  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  108    69.73   2972    3235   70282  11774    100.0    0.941  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  109    70.41   3002    3301   72944  11812    100.0    0.925  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  110    71.09   3031    3367   75731  11848    100.0    0.910  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    105    67.70   2947    3181   69108  11408    100.0    0.950  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    105    67.70   2802    2877   57122  11705     98.6    1.030  ! Near Maximum !

Cartridge          : .300 RCM
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler BalTip 30165
Useable Case Capaci: 65.136 grain H2O = 4.229 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.840 inch = 72.14 mm
Barrel Length      : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64000 psi, or 441 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

3 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              110.0     71.0     4.60    3046    99.5    62025   14349   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T               101.3     63.8     4.13    3028   100.0    64000   12922   0.969  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C               104.0     66.5     4.31    3012    99.5    64000   13448   0.970  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                           100.4     63.2     4.10    3006   100.0    64000   12849   0.975  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T              100.4     63.2     4.10    3006   100.0    64000   12849   0.975  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T               105.5     61.7     4.00    2993    99.9    64000   12844   0.971  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T           105.5     61.7     4.00    2993    99.9    64000   12844   0.971  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       110.0     68.9     4.47    2987    97.3    60726   14062   0.997  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       107.6     64.3     4.16    2980   100.0    64000   12280   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                  103.9     65.4     4.24    2972    99.5    64000   12927   0.992  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                105.9     65.7     4.26    2964    98.4    64000   13055   0.982  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                101.8     65.1     4.22    2963    98.7    64000   13001   0.983  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     105.1     65.2     4.22    2961    98.7    64000   12981   0.983  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      99.3     63.1     4.09    2956    98.0    64000   12959   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        99.3     63.1     4.09    2956    98.0    64000   12959   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              109.7     65.9     4.27    2954    96.4    64000   13127   0.979  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       110.0     67.8     4.40    2950    94.0    61780   13537   0.985  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        108.8     64.9     4.21    2949    96.2    64000   13000   0.973  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      110.0     65.5     4.25    2948    96.5    63639   13036   0.985  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                       104.7     62.2     4.03    2948    99.6    64000   12573   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation         104.7     62.2     4.03    2948    99.6    64000   12569   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T               101.7     62.4     4.04    2946    99.5    64000   12702   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                      104.0     62.4     4.04    2945    99.6    64000   12568   1.003  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                        102.0     61.2     3.97    2941    99.3    64000   12508   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         110.0     66.0     4.28    2934    96.2    63131   12975   0.985  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           109.9     63.2     4.09    2931    99.7    64000   12322   0.997  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                       103.8     64.4     4.17    2927    96.1    64000   12741   0.980  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        107.2     64.4     4.17    2927    96.1    64000   12741   0.980  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          107.2     64.4     4.17    2927    96.1    64000   12741   0.980  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       109.9     66.7     4.32    2921    97.3    64000   12644   0.996  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                107.5     62.4     4.05    2917   100.0    64000   11639   0.987  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation    104.7     63.8     4.14    2911    97.7    64000   12430   0.991  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               110.0     64.8     4.20    2910    99.6    58338   12916   1.040  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 110.0     67.5     4.37    2910    92.6    57635   13736   1.022  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        110.0     66.8     4.33    2907    93.4    60160   13247   0.997  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                 101.5     62.2     4.03    2906    99.6    64000   11910   0.991  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                       97.0     58.9     3.82    2901   100.0    64000   11712   1.009  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             107.6     68.1     4.41    2901    96.0    64000   12375   0.981  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        96.5     59.2     3.83    2901    99.4    64000   12075   1.000  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                110.0     66.8     4.33    2901    93.6    63147   12634   0.983  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350              104.0     61.8     4.00    2897    98.1    64000   12272   1.001  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                         104.0     61.8     4.00    2897    98.1    64000   12272   1.001  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              110.0     66.8     4.33    2890    95.0    56850   13401   1.031  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    110.0     70.2     4.55    2882    90.4    56730   13603   1.033  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     110.0     71.9     4.66    2881    95.7    58737   12924   1.011  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                         102.7     60.3     3.91    2878    98.9    64000   11885   1.001  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle          102.7     60.3     3.91    2878    98.9    64000   11885   1.001  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Match Rifle          92.0     56.9     3.69    2871   100.0    64000   11009   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.6                        92.0     56.9     3.69    2871   100.0    64000   11009   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        98.1     59.7     3.87    2871    97.4    64000   11965   0.997  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                       96.8     56.8     3.68    2867   100.0    64000   10998   1.028  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495                       91.1     53.5     3.47    2842   100.0    64000   10575   1.034  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T              110.0     64.3     4.16    2835    93.5    61007   12118   1.006  ! Near Maximum !

 

[Balthazar]

Thank you Dr. Mike. I was hoping for a 3k load and it looks like RL-17, with its non-compressed load & 100% burn rate
is the ticket, especially since RL-26 is still unobtainium. In actuality, the difference between 3k and 2.9k, obtained with
414 etc., is a non issue, but we'll see which one prints the best on paper.

 

[SJB358]

Mike was reading my mind again. SB6.5 has been real good in my 300 WSM. 17 has always been a great powder in almost all of the WSMs. If you can find it, I think you’ll like it. SB6.5 is a good back up though.

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : .300 RCM
Bullet             : .308, 180, Nosler E-Tip  59180
Useable Case Capaci: 61.717 grain H2O = 4.007 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.840 inch = 72.14 mm
Barrel Length      : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64000 psi, or 441 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

4 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              109.9     67.2     4.36    2935    99.9    64000   13615   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T               100.4     59.9     3.88    2884   100.0    64000   12161   1.011  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       110.0     65.3     4.23    2880    98.2    62748   13455   1.024  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C               103.1     62.5     4.05    2872    99.7    64000   12717   1.011  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               99.4     59.3     3.84    2862   100.0    64000   12088   1.017  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            99.4     59.3     3.84    2862   100.0    64000   12088   1.017  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T               104.5     57.9     3.75    2850   100.0    64000   12089   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T           104.5     57.9     3.75    2850   100.0    64000   12089   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       110.0     64.3     4.17    2843    95.2    63620   13005   1.013  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       106.5     60.3     3.91    2835   100.0    64000   11543   1.029  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                  102.9     61.4     3.98    2831    99.8    64000   12196   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                105.0     61.7     4.00    2825    98.8    64000   12372   1.025  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                100.9     61.1     3.96    2823    99.1    64000   12311   1.026  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     104.2     61.2     3.97    2822    99.1    64000   12293   1.026  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              108.8     61.9     4.01    2816    97.0    64000   12481   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      98.4     59.2     3.84    2815    98.5    64000   12268   1.029  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        98.4     59.2     3.84    2815    98.5    64000   12268   1.029  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      109.2     61.7     4.00    2814    97.1    64000   12393   1.026  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        107.9     61.1     3.96    2812    96.8    64000   12362   1.015  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         109.5     62.3     4.04    2809    96.9    64000   12384   1.022  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 110.0     63.9     4.14    2808    94.0    59504   13230   1.049  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                       103.7     58.4     3.78    2806    99.8    64000   11858   1.033  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation         103.8     58.4     3.78    2806    99.8    64000   11855   1.033  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T               100.7     58.6     3.79    2805    99.8    64000   11992   1.038  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               110.0     61.4     3.98    2803    99.9    60631   12232   1.066  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                      102.9     58.5     3.79    2803    99.8    64000   11834   1.047  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        110.0     63.3     4.10    2802    94.7    61925   12746   1.026  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                        101.0     57.5     3.73    2799    99.6    64000   11805   1.030  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           108.8     59.3     3.84    2790    99.9    64000   11614   1.041  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        106.3     60.5     3.92    2790    96.7    64000   12110   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          106.3     60.5     3.92    2790    96.7    64000   12110   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                       103.0     60.5     3.92    2790    96.7    64000   12110   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C                    110.0     63.3     4.10    2787    96.1    58772   12872   1.059  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              110.0     63.3     4.10    2787    96.1    58772   12872   1.059  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       110.0     63.3     4.10    2787    96.1    58772   12872   1.059  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       109.0     62.7     4.06    2783    97.8    64000   11998   1.039  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    110.0     66.5     4.31    2783    91.9    58661   13134   1.060  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     110.0     68.2     4.42    2780    96.8    60667   12402   1.037  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                109.6     63.0     4.08    2778    94.5    64000   12092   1.020  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                106.5     58.6     3.80    2774   100.0    64000   10938   1.031  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation    103.8     60.0     3.89    2773    98.2    64000   11787   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             106.8     64.1     4.15    2766    96.6    64000   11782   1.024  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                 100.6     58.4     3.79    2766    99.8    64000   11230   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        95.6     55.5     3.60    2759    99.7    64000   11391   1.045  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350              103.0     58.0     3.76    2758    98.6    64000   11619   1.045  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                         103.0     58.0     3.76    2758    98.6    64000   11619   1.045  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                       96.0     55.2     3.58    2758   100.0    64000   10998   1.054  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                          96.0     55.2     3.58    2758   100.0    64000   10998   1.054  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                      107.0     60.0     3.89    2755    95.6    64000   11723   1.027  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                       98.2     55.3     3.58    2752   100.0    64000   10915   1.054  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                        98.3     54.7     3.55    2747   100.0    64000   10919   1.049  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                         101.8     56.7     3.67    2739    99.3    64000   11237   1.046  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle          101.8     56.7     3.67    2739    99.3    64000   11237   1.046  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                      100.5     56.1     3.64    2734    97.9    64000   11352   1.041  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                         100.5     56.1     3.64    2734    97.9    64000   11352   1.041  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        97.3     56.1     3.64    2733    97.9    64000   11344   1.042  ! Near Maximum !