RE 33 in 7mm

[Elkhunter1983]

Anyone tried this powder yet in a 7mm RM with a 180 or 168 Gr Bullet? I am contemplating trying it but not sure, i would like to hear your experience good or bad about this powder.

 

[marioq]

I am going to try it in my 7MM STW this week... I think if you have a 26-28 inch barrel you should be fine.. Especially behind a heavy pill

 

[highridge1]

I think RL25 will do better in the 7mm rem than RL33. I think the RL33 is going to do better in a 7 RUM ,STW. but I guess you never know until we get some results.

 

[AZShooter]

Yes I tried it in a 7 Rem mag.

Copied from my notes on RL-33:

"7 Rem Mag: 24" Rem barrel, moly coated 162 A-max seated .010" into rifling.

Original load: 72 gr of Retumbo 2975 fps

RL-33:
starting load 76 gr vel 2837
worked up to 79 gr for vel of 3000 for very small gain over Retumbo
80 grs showed a hint of lift and a small shiny spot on casehead.

I used a bullet seating comparator and noticed that even with the use of a 6" drop tube the powder was filling the case. 79 gr and up caused the OAL to lengthen over .010", enough so the cartride wouldn't fit into magazine.

I can see why Alliant only mentioned a load for the 175 gr bullet"


It might work with a 180 or heavier bullet but frankly it is not the best for this cartridge.

It did work well and had velocity gains over retumbo or RL-25 with these:

7mm/375 with 180 hybrid
6mm-284 105 hybrid,
257 weatherby 110 accubond
300 RUM 230 gr hybrid

 

[Elkhunter1983]

I actually stopped by a local shop yesterday and they had a pound so I picked up some. Going to try them out with a 180 gr bullet and see what happens. I use RE25 with a 168 and it shoots well just going to see what it does with this combo. Will hopefully have some results this weekend.

 

[marioq]

Yes I tried it in a 7 Rem mag.

Copied from my notes on RL-33:

"7 Rem Mag: 24" Rem barrel, moly coated 162 A-max seated .010" into rifling.

Original load: 72 gr of Retumbo 2975 fps

RL-33:
starting load 76 gr vel 2837
worked up to 79 gr for vel of 3000 for very small gain over Retumbo
80 grs showed a hint of lift and a small shiny spot on casehead.

I used a bullet seating comparator and noticed that even with the use of a 6" drop tube the powder was filling the case. 79 gr and up caused the OAL to lengthen over .010", enough so the cartride wouldn't fit into magazine.

I can see why Alliant only mentioned a load for the 175 gr bullet"


It might work with a 180 or heavier bullet but frankly it is not the best for this cartridge.

It did work well and had velocity gains over retumbo or RL-25 with these:

7mm/375 with 180 hybrid
6mm-284 105 hybrid,
257 weatherby 110 accubond
300 RUM 230 gr hybrid

If u don't mind, what were your loads for 257 and 6.5??

 

[AZShooter]

Don't have a 6.5

RL-33 loads:

257 Weatherby moly coated110 accubond. 28" 3 groove SS 1 in 10 Lilja, Norma brass, Fed 215 match:



83 3625 which slightly faster than old load with RL-25
83.5 3674 fps shot well two shots were same velocity
84 gr 3704 fps shot well two shots were same velocity
84.5 gr 3735 this is max case capacity with drop tube (this is current load )

This makes a 91 fps gain over a max load of RL-25

---------------------------------


6mm-284 non moly coated Berger 105 gr target hybrid. 28" Bartlein 5R SS 1 in 7.5"
used necked down unturned Lapua 6.5-284 brass, Fed 210 match



62.5 gr 3376
63 gr 3414
63.5 gr 3453
64 gr 3485 fps excellent accuracy (this is current load)
64.5 gr 3535 a bit warm max case capacity using drop tube


Old velocity with Retumbo was 3307 which was the highest charge of powder without pressure issues. RL-33 yielded a 178 fps increase!

 

[marioq]

Wow. Great. Thanks

Try my 257 in a few weeks I hope

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Hey, not to hijack, but what are you all paying for rl33 at present??
The local shop that stocks it went to $27 for alliant. I can get rl elsewhere cheaper, but not 33.

 

[barnesuser28]

Hey, not to hijack, but what are you all paying for rl33 at present??
The local shop that stocks it went to $27 for alliant. I can get rl elsewhere cheaper, but not 33.

I think i paid $25 for my 1 lb, at Gun City. I forgot i had it, i still need to test it in my 338 Lapua.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I think i paid $25 for my 1 lb, at Gun City. I forgot i had it, i still need to test it in my 338 Lapua.

that's the place that went up bud...

 

[Elkhunter1983]

$27 here

 

[barnesuser28]

that's the place that went up bud...

Thats what i figured, next time you are in there, can you check if they have any 210 GM primers? I found out my 284 win just loves them and i only have 1000 of them, that aint enough for two guns.

 

[Elkhunter1983]

Got out to the range this evening to do a little testing and the powder looks very promising.

Hot Load with Sticky Bolt and Ejector Marks
69.5 gr Retumbo 180 Gr Berger Hunting Bullet Jumping .065
Avg Velocity: 2944
Good Accuracy but will eat up brass in no time.

RE 33
74 Gr
2959 avg ES little higher than I would like but decent accuracy. Absolutely no pressure signs what so ever.

75 Gr
2966 avg ES 18 .6 MOA @ 100 and 200 yards. Still no pressure signs with room to go.

I think this may be the powder if a guy wants to step up his 7 to RE 33. More to come.