Reloader 15 Powder Production Ending?

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22 April 2012, 06:16

subsailor74

Reloader 15 Powder Production Ending?

When I was out at the rifle range this morning, the gentleman running the small range store told me RL-15 is being phased out and will no longer be made.

Has anyone else out there heard this? I hope it is not true as I use RL-15 for quite a few loads for my big bore double rifles.
Mangwana

22 April 2012, 06:38

Smokin Joe

Ask Alliant:

alliant.reloading@atk.com

http://www.alliantpowder.com/questions/default.aspx

22 April 2012, 06:40

pagosawingnut

I'm with you Dave. I use a lot of RL15 for several different cartridges. If you email them, let me know or I will email them also. If that is the case, I will stock up on it for the future. I only have about 18 lbs on hand.

22 April 2012, 07:14

subsailor74

quote:
Originally posted by Smokin Joe:
Ask Alliant:

alliant.reloading@atk.com

http://www.alliantpowder.com/questions/default.aspx

Good idea - I just did (waiting for a response)

22 April 2012, 07:22

mstarling

That would be a TERRIBLE thing!

I use RL-15 in a number of chamberings: 5.56 match loads, .338-06, 9,3x62, .375 H&H, and .470 NE!

23 April 2012, 22:20

pagosawingnut

I also sent them an email concerning this. I use quite a bit of RL15 and would miss it dearly.

24 April 2012, 00:18

adamhunter

I agree this would be very bad. I use it in my 270, 280, 338-06 and 404.

24 April 2012, 05:00

mstarling

I wrote them a note but have not gotten a reply!

24 April 2012, 06:12

kidd

Boy if they stop producing Reloader 15 get ready to load up the car with it. That will start a stampede to buy it. Lets hope somebody is wrong.
Kidd

24 April 2012, 07:16

Zephyr

Alliant has a new powder called AR Comp, when you read the reviews and speak with Alliant they will tell you that it is a new and improved RL

24 April 2012, 07:16

Rusty

As long as Norma still makes 203B you will still have plenty of powder. RL-15 is just another batch of 203B and sold by Alliant. If Norma quits making 203B then we have problems. I've written Don Heath of Norma. Perhaps he can shed some light?

Rusty
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24 April 2012, 11:30

kacole

i would like to hear something as soon as one you ya'll hear something. i'm currently working up a load for a custom built 308. sure would hate to see it go away. being able to use 203b would be fine but rl-15 can be picked up around here just about anywhere.

24 April 2012, 14:35

subsailor74

quote:
Originally posted by mstarling:
I wrote them a note but have not gotten a reply!

I am still waiting for a reply as well. I will post it as soon as I get it!

25 April 2012, 15:44

Rusty

I got this reply form Don Heath at Norma.

quote:
Yes 203b is a standard production item – no idea what reloader are doing- they usually buy our seconds and repackage them but perhaps with Western powders taking over the distribution of regular Norma powder in the USA they cannot compete? Don’t know but we are noot dropping 203B and Western Powders should have received their first shipment by now (ships are slower than we think but still) and it should be hitting the market soon

Yours faithfully

Don

So it looks like Western will be distributing Norma. Our RL-15 loads will still be OK as long as 203B is available.
I use RL-15/203B in most of my loads from 223, 257Roberts, some 308, 404 Jeffery, and 450/400 3 inch. Very versatile!

25 April 2012, 16:06

BNagel

Good work, Rusty! I'd hate to be stranded without RL-15/203B.

25 April 2012, 16:43

mstarling

Is a bit of a relief ... though a source for purchase is not yet defined.

Powdervalley does show 1 pound containers but is not in stock. More expensive than RL-15.

Loss of RL-15/203B ould really screw up my reloading planning as it is the propellant I rely on for the largest number of chamberings. Figures ... I try to reduce the number of powders I stock and one of those gets difficult!

Thanks Rusty!

26 April 2012, 04:50

kidd

Makes you wonder what Norma considers 2nds in production. Norma's powders are considerably more expensive. Rusty,do you see any difference shooting one from the other. I use R15 exclusively for some of my guns and I shoot quite abit. Business is business I guess. We'll see.
Kidd

26 April 2012, 06:29

Rusty

I find less change between batches of Norma 203B than I do with RL-15. Both are good versatile powders, I still use RL-15 using up my stock. I prefer to use 203B.

Maybe we'll see a price reduction with Western being the new US distributor?

26 April 2012, 08:28

aliveincc

Powder Valley has RL15 in 5lb cans. It's also cheaper than everywhere else I checked, by quite a bit. I also ask if they had any info on it being discontinued. They have not heard anything.

02 May 2012, 21:02

larrys

Has anyone actually heard from the Alliant people yet?

03 May 2012, 07:58

mstarling

I sent an information request to Alliant and have never received a response. Discouraging!

03 May 2012, 09:06

BaxterB

I just picked up a pound and it actually had a new design on the package as compared to the one most guys are used to. I asked the person who owned the store if she had heard of RL 15 going away and she said no and that she couldn't imagine it because she sells lots of it.

03 May 2012, 14:44

Rusty

Mike, I did too! No answer! What's that old saw. . "The silence is deafening? Changes must be afoot??

04 May 2012, 04:19

Smokin Joe

From Alliant:

"RL 15 is not being dropped. However, we are currently out of it and
hope to have some more soon. Thanks for your return note.

Ben Amonette
Technical Service Manager
Alliant Powder Company"

04 May 2012, 07:27

muygrande

Soooo, "the producer" is OUT! My 14 year old would respond with something like "come on" to that empty promise! I would respond with something like "yeah right"!

If it looks like a duck, etc!

04 May 2012, 07:47

BaxterB

It's made by Norma so Alliant in the US could for sure be out.

04 May 2012, 15:15

BNagel

quote:
Originally posted by Smokin Joe:
From Alliant:

"RL 15 is not being dropped. However, we are currently out of it and
hope to have some more soon. Thanks for your return note.

Ben Amonette
Technical Service Manager
Alliant Powder Company"

Thanks SJ

Pearland, TX Bass Pro had a bottle or two -- 30 bucks and tax is too high for me right now...

04 May 2012, 19:57

z1r

quote:
Originally posted by BNagel:
Pearland, TX Bass Pro had a bottle or two -- 30 bucks and tax is too high for me right now...

Ouch, that is pricey. I should get another lb or two since that is the powder I use most.

I find that my local shop has far better prices than Say, Bass Pro or Gander Mtn. If only they'd get some WW .22 Hornet brass back in.

05 May 2012, 03:02

Paul B

Guess I'd best run out and get some. My .35 Whelen thrives on that stuff.
Paul B.

05 May 2012, 03:43

Ackley Improved User

Guys,

I was talking to an Alliant "powder engineer" just the other day, asking about the Power Pro series. This is what he said...

"...We (Alliant) make Re15 in the good'ol USA at Alliant, and we just won the competition with other powder manufacturing companies to produce and supply Re15 to the US military for their sniper units - apparently 308 caliber...."

Alliant is likely "out of" Re15, because the US Military has snatched it all up, at least in the short term. You'll remember this happened with primers, which were in short supply during the Irag war.

Regards, AIU

05 May 2012, 09:24

whelenite

If you can't find RL-15, get some of Alliant's Power Pro 2000-MR. It's the same or slightly slower burning rate as RL-15, but is ball powder so much better loading density. Awesome in .308 and 35 Whelen with heavy bullets.

05 May 2012, 15:05

Nordic2

Both rl15 and 203b are made by Bofors.

05 May 2012, 17:54

steve4102

quote:
Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
Guys,

I was talking to an Alliant "powder engineer" just the other day, asking about the Power Pro series. This is what he said...

"... We (Alliant) make Re15 in the good'ol USA at Alliant, and we just won the competition with other powder manufacturing companies to produce and supply Re15 to the US military for their sniper units - apparently 308 caliber...."

Alliant is likely "out of" Re15, because the US Military has snatched it all up, at least in the short term. You'll remember this happened with primers, which were in short supply during the Irag war.

Regards, AIU

I think the guy you were talking to was an impostor or an idiot. Says right on the label, "Made in Sweden".

06 May 2012, 09:40

Ackley Improved User

Yes, you guys are CORRECT. I checked my cannister and it says MADE IN SWEDEN FOR ALLIANT. The guy was full of shit!! I should not have not believed him. He had some other things to say, but not worth repeating here. Why waste your time. Sorry, I apologize. Regard, AIU.

06 May 2012, 14:00

steve4102

quote:
Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
Yes, you guys are CORRECT. I checked my cannister and it says MADE IN SWEDEN FOR ALLIANT. The guy was full of shit!! I should not have not believed him. He had some other things to say, but not worth repeating here. Why waste your time. Sorry, I apologize. Regard, AIU.

Makes ya wonder who or what is other the other end of the line when you call for support, don't it.
Maybe it was this guy.

06 May 2012, 17:20

kidd

Let me add something more to this. This is probably my favorite powder. I buy it in five pound jugs and currently have three of them. Two of them have on the label made in the USA and the third most current one has made in Sweden. All the previous ones had made in Sweden on them. So go figure that. Maybe a quality control problem printing labels. Regardless I hope they continue
Keeping us supplied. With this terrific powder.
Kidd

06 May 2012, 18:43

Rusty

Label says it all!

06 May 2012, 19:33

mstarling

Guys,

I suspect that Alliant requires that its own production facilities compete with others (Bofors) to get production contracts or contracts with others if their own production facilities are busy at the moment. Would not be surprising ... and would tend to explain the production variances we see in this canister powder.

So, it is entirely possible RL-15 is made in BOTH places from time to time.

Is OK by me ... just so they keep making it because I use it in so many chamberings! (Including .308 where it has proven itself to be very accurate w 175 gr SMKs.)

06 May 2012, 21:31

Rusty

Mike, I'd be willing to bet that Alliant doesn't have a powder manufacturing facility in the USA. I imagine they out-source everything.

06 May 2012, 22:34

Ackley Improved User

Maybe I should call again for clarification. I'd like to see more of these powders made in the USA.

We need to start making more things in our country!

Our country needs to become more busness friendly, and on that note be sure to vote this fall!!

Regards, AIU