I've loaded some 260 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips in a friend's M70 classic. I was trying 69 grs. Varget, and 71 grs. RL15. I see there is a large variance in maximum charge weights for these two powders with 260 & 270 gr. bullets.

I was just wondering what you guys have decided is max in your 375 H&H with these 2 powders. I know that with 71 grs. RL15, I chrony'd it at 2680 fps.

I have been using 75 grains of RL-15 for many years now with the hornady 270 grain bullet. It's over 2800fps and matches exactly the speed and POI of the Hornady Heavy magnum factory loads.

I recieved a box of them as a gift and checked my handloads against them. The POI is 100% identical, the felt recoil is identical, and the velocity is identical. I did not pull a bullet and weigh the charge I wish I would have thought of that!

Browning .375 w/ 26" barrel - 270 Barnes "X":

Varget - 73 grains gives .5" @ 2,740 fps

RL-15 - 76 grains gives .7" @ 2,840 fps @ similar pressure.

With the shorter 260 Nosler Partition, you may end up with a slightly heavier charge.

[ 08-19-2003, 16:18: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

Todd,

Actually I don't see a huge variation in the data for that particular bullet, since the Nosler manual is the only one I can find that shows it.

For other 260-270-gr. bullets, low end in the manuals I have is 71 gr. in the Speer #13 manual, high is 76 in the Barnes 3d. Hornady, Nosler and Alliant are all in the 73-74 range. Not a huge difference if you take it as a percentage. In fact, differences in brass, throating, etc. could all account for it.

All data shows a maximum velocity from just below 2700 fps to just below 2800 (Nosler and Barnes). My .375 is very "middle of the road" and with the 270-gr. Hornady and 74.0 gr. of RL-15 it gets exactly the velocities that the Hornady and Alliant manuals suggest.

So I would let your Chrony and your targets be your guide. You're right in the ballpark now, it seems.

John

I use 73 gr RL15 with a 260 gr partition. Velocity is 2740 over my chronograph.

My reloading data shows that I have shot from 75 to 76.5 grs of RL-15 and mostly 76.5 grs, in several of the 375s I have owned with the 260 gr. Nosler for 2825 10 shot average, dropping the high and the low load....All max loads.

I shoot 72 grs. with the 300 gr. bullets for almost 2650 FPS, a max load in my gun....

However my present gun likes 70 grs of IMR-4064 with the Bridger FN solid for 2666 and 67 grs for the 300 for about 2495 FPS..I also like these loads and recoil is very mild and noise is subdued a bit and they kill as well as the faster more potent RL-15 loads.

I got to chrony a few more loads in the 375 today.

260 gr. NBT w/ 71 grs. RL15 - 2650 fps avg.

270 gr. X w/ unknown powder - 2706 fps

270 gr. Hornady SP w/ 75 grs. IMR 4350 - 2430 fps

The 270 X was shot with either 67 grs. 4064 or 75 grs. RL15, I'm thinking it was the RL15 load.