Since there has been a bit of 500 Jeff discussion lately, I'll add to the questions. The AR Reloading pages list 110 gr of RL 15 behind a 535 gr Woodleigh for 2406 fps. I'm interested in more like 2250 fps for the same bullet. Anybody loaded the 535/RL15 combo to that level?...or is a different powder called for in these "reduced" loads. I have A BUNCH of RL15 so if you have some loadings with that...all the better. I'm assuming that the lessor loads wouldn't require a filler?
As usual, thanks for the input.

Gary
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NRA Lifer
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Gary:

If you have a chronograph, I would think you would be fine reducing the load by 5% and then making minor adjustments. I suspect that you would still be above 80% load density with a load that produces 2250 fps, and that no filler would be necessary or advisable. Reloader 15 is not that slow, and 110-grains fills Jamison and Horneber .500 Jeffery brass to just below the base of the neck.

I load for a friend, and in his 24-inch barreled rifle Woodleigh softs backed by 111-grains of RL-15 average 2316 fps and Woodleigh solids backed by 108-grains of RL-15 average 2303 fps as measured 15-feet from the muzzle.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. Yes I do have a chrono. I was concerned by exactly what you said by dropping down below that "threshold". I was actually thinking about starting at "normal" loads and working down to my target speed. Thanks for the help...you confirmed my thoughts.

Gary
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When you run out of RL-15, you might want to try Varget. Nearly same speed/burnrate and powder charges involved, and temperature insensitivity as good as it gets.

Here is a good load by lb404, I shot on a hot day in Oklahoma. Just starting to zero his open sights, this target shows:
A) that Leonard had a very accurate rifle, and
B) no filler is absolutely necessary.

I might try 100 grains of Varget or RL-15 with 5 grains of Dacron fluff as a close starting point to what you want. Fine tune it to the chronograph.

The filler will get you more speed per grain of powder, less recoil for velocity achieved, and it does not hurt accuracy. It will prevent powder shaking from grinding the granules and altering the velocity over time.

RIP.....was waiting for you to weigh in as I knew you had messed with the 500 Jeff a bit. One of the reasons I mentioned the filler in my first post on this topic. Thanks for the info....I happen to have a bit of Varget to play with.

Thanks.

Gary
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NRA Lifer
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While we're at it, does anyone have any good loads for 570gr Tripleshocks and 600gr Woodleighs for the Jeffery.

In my 25" 500 Jeffrey with cast bullets 100 gr of RL-15 produced 2250 fps w/ 535 gr, and 2200 fps with 600 gr. One of these days I'll get around to testing the 570 gr XLC.

TSX bullets seem to print a lot different than the GS custom bullets. It is like two different loads. My final load for the Jeffery is 100 gr Varget with 5gr Dacron and a 540 gr GS custom. Prints about a .75" group at 50 yards at 2350-2365 f/s. The barrel rise makes it hard for a real quick second shot but if pressed I can do it. With its accuracy, and the animals I will be using it against It think it will do just fine. My barrel length is 24". I tried the 570 gr TSX and they print high and left of center aim. They almost printed a one hole group as close as I can aim with irons, and I used 98 gr. of varget with dacron to achieve 2250 f/s with extreme spread of 5 f/s. You just need to decide what bullet to use as in my experience onece you file in your sights you are stuck with that load.

lb 404:

Did you really need the filler with the Varget load? I was hoping not to mess with a filler for my bolt rifle.....although I happily accept it with my doubles.

Thanks.

Gary
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NRA Lifer
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DSC

As RIP said the filler was unnecessary, however the accuracy was better and the extreme spread decreased to less than 20 f/s. I got higher speed with less powder when using the dacron. If I recall, I had to up the charge by nearly 3 gr. to equal the velocity WITH dacron. I think it was a much better balanced load overall. Another thing, with the heavier bullets especially the monometal bullets, there is less need for space occupying buffer but dacron does improve the quality of the load in my rifle.