I tried out loads for my Namibia trip in July today at the range, a 1st try loading with RL 15. After best groups with W 760 at about an inch and a half, I couldn't be more pleased with the new loads: 260gr Accubonds with 70 gr RL 15 put 3 into quarter sized groups. And this is with rounds cobbled out of Speer nitrex nickel cases in which I pulled the 285 grand slams and powder and reloaded with the accubonds and RL. Neck tension was marginal so I put a Lee crimp on them. I wasn't expecting this level of accuracy in cases loaded this way, so what a great suprise. I think this is the load. Next will be to tune up the 7x57 for my son. We're starting to count the days till a July 8 departure.



I'm needing to do some finetuning on feeding in the Whitworth (see gunsmithing post) but otherwise the equipment is starting to come together. Bob

Mine very similar with the same group results. What primers did you use, magnum or non magnum? My best and most consistent come from the non magnum primers. POI w/300gr was almost the exact same as the 260's and 270's. Any idea of what your muzzle velocities are with those loads?

Thanks, Bob.
Dungbeetle

Hey fellas,

I'd like to work up a loading with 300gr Hornadys in the .375 H&H... can you give me a good RL15 load for that?

Thanks

Good to know. I have a .375 on order and never having owned one was wondering about loading for it. I will give RL15 a try. I would imagine that the Win powder would need a mag primer and the RL 15 wouldn't but this is just off the top of my head. Again, many years reloading experience but none with the .375....

RL-15 seems to be about the best powder for any big bore. I use it in my 375,416,470,9.3x62 and a host of lesser calibers, and on ocassion in my 404 Jefferys.

Looks like y'all are ready Bob! HOpe you have a great hunt!

Rusty

458 and Axter, right now, I'm 13 hours time zone and 1/2 a world away from my data - but - Ray has jumped in here and can give you that data (or do a search) as he posted it earlier and my loads are pretty much just clones of his, you cant go wrong. Not trying to direct you to another website and away from here but 24 hour campfire has some loads for the ole 375 posted by JJ Hack that fairly mirror Ray's loads and that's where I got the info to try 'lesser' primers and it worked for my gun, tightening the group even more, which were already great. They are sweet shooters and shoulder friendly allowing consistent followup shots (for me).

I've got some loads for the 260 gr that really hump them up to ~2800 + - '/sec (21" bbl) and they are flat by any definition. It makes the 375 a 350 yd gun and is an elk smacking, moose thumping sumbitch. Thumps you, too. Others here may can chime in and help with that should you want to shoot flatter loads, Africa plains or elsewhere.

Like many others here, I have a muzzle break but only use it at the range. I'd recommend that if you've not got one already. It allows me to shoot the gun right handed and practice left handed, too, without developing bad habits, flinching, etc.

Dungbeetle

The primers are whatever were loaded in the Speer Nitrex loads I broke down. Speer says they use magnum primers, so my guess would be CCI. I'll use Federal 215's.I need to chronograph this load. The Barsness article I found the load in suggested about 2650 fps. Bob

Using 71 gr of RL-15, Barnes 300 X and mag primers my average vel. was 2441 FPS out of a 19" bbl. Sako Trg s. Using the same load with the Barnes solid gave 2458 FPS and both shot to the same point of impact. I used this load on everything from Buffalo to Genet with good results.

Thanks for the info guys. The Hornady handbook also seems to like RL15. I will follow the guidelines and crono my results and post them here when I get everything ready and tested.....thanks again....Axter