Hi guys,

I'm loading for the 338 Federal and with some internet work found a link from a Charlie Sisk rifle using RL7 with 180gr bullets. This load did work well for me but now I'm experimenting with the 185gr TSX bullets.

I like RL7 but I often wonder if there is a better powder in its class. Since all load data on powder and bullet sites are using a slower powders with less velocity I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong?

I was thinking about H4198 or H322 since they're close to RL7. I don't know how much to use to start without getting into trouble.

Why would a manufacturer use a slower powder and achieve less speed?

thanks,

I don't know if this will help but check out Steve's pages. He has a burn rate chart and recommended chart for many different Cart.
http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

Try calling the powder manufacture(s) or dropping them an e-mail. Hodgdon lists 3031, H332, Benchmark and another powder or two close to R7 in burn rate. Thet may be your best bet for data.

quote:

Originally posted by beretta96:
...Why would a manufacturer use a slower powder and achieve less speed?...

That is an extremely interesting question at this moment. I just got off the phone with a buddy in Califoney who was saying he got some 300WSM data from Mr. Sisk and it was all skewed toward the Faster Burn Rate Powders. None of the data the guy in Califoney talked about could be found as having been Lab Tested by a Powder or Bullet manufacturer. All the data he saw from the actual manufacturers used typically Slower Burning Powders. He did not mention Velocity, because it doesn't concern me.

A year or so ago Mr. Sisk was posting about blowing a Muzzle Brake off a rifle right here on AR. He had an HSGS stuck on the rifle and seemed to be getting Secondary Pressure Spikes as indicated by his HSGS. The discussion went down-hill quickly with rampant speculation and guessing. The worst part about it is that (to my knowledge) Mr. Sisk never posted here again.

Not having been part of the discussion concerning Mr. Sisk's recommendations concerning RL-7 in your 338FED, it would be foolish for me to comment on it, so I won't. What I will do is recommend you trust your "cautious instinct" and go with Loads provided by the Powder and Bullet manufacturers. If they result in slower speeds, that is just the way the cookie crumbles. After many years of reloading, you will come to the realization that it is far better to Develop Loads for the best accuracy and not concern yourself with whatever the velocity happens to be. And for darn sure if the manufacturers thought using Faster Powders was a good idea to achieve a SAFE MAX, they would have them listed.

Best of luck to you.

thanks for the help,

One more question, I use my chronograph a lot to tell me what's going on with a certain cartridge, is it possible for the average guy to get a strain gauge?

beretta96,

www.omega.com

They have just about every flavor of strain gage you would ever want! They also sell all the other relevant equipment you will need.

I would recommend using rosettes myself instead of single arms.