Tried out a few rounds of Norma 203B in the 450/400 3 inch today. Supposedly Norma's RL-15. I loaded the same weight load as RL-15 and used a foam filler. The load shot dead on at 50 yards, a bit slower than QuickLoad said it would, but very accurate. I'll bump it up a bit to see how that effects regulation in a couple of weeks.
My load is usually 62 grains of RL-15, foam plug and a 400 grain Hornady DGX drawn to .408 through a Corbin die. I just substituted 203B for the powder.

The Norma 203B dispenses uniformly and thrown weights were consistent. As with RL-15 the velocities were very close shot to shot.

Rusty, any discernable difference in felt recoil? Missed you, I was out this morning too. Too pretty to stay inside.

Mike, I thought the recoil was just the same.
I have an extra pound if you'd like to try it out.

Yeah, I had to do the early news today, or I would have been out there with ya.

Sure, bring it to the hoot and shoot and I will buy it from you. I might 'speriment a little in the .500 and see what it does. I love RL15 but it inconsistency lot-to-lot is a pain in the back side.

I am told that the Norma 203B is supposed to be more consistent lot to lot. We'll see.

How about lunch next week with Bob?

Sounds good but the only day that works for me is Friday. Tuesday or Wednesday the following week work too. Let me know what works for you and Bob.

Hey guys, beautiful day! Thought I might go out tomorrow to try the tar paper buff, but not sure of plans yet. I will be away Wed thru Sun of coming week, but in town Mon thru Thurs of the following.

quote:

Originally posted by bobc:
Hey guys, beautiful day! Thought I might go out tomorrow to try the tar paper buff, but not sure of plans yet. I will be away Wed thru Sun of coming week, but in town Mon thru Thurs of the following.

Bob
I am planning to go out tomorrow and should arrive around 1 PM. Planning to test some .375 loads...Cliff

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Supposedly Norma's RL-15.

The Norma 203B dispenses uniformly and thrown weights were consistent. As with RL-15 the
velocities were very close shot to shot.

From what Ive heard:
Same manufacturer. the powder is made by Bofors in Sweden, then shipped in bulk to Norma. They then pressure tests it and sort it by consistency. The most consistent powder is poured into the familiar Norma boxes and the rest is used in their own ammo production.

Bofors also ships this powder in bulk to Alliant where its sold as RL15.
Its also sold in Europe as Rhino 15

That is what I am told by Norma that RL-15 is just another Lot of 203B. Norma uses it in the factory and we buy it as RL-15 here.

Thats also true for a lot of other Norma/Alliant powders.
like MRP/RL22, MRP2/RL25

Though I would not recommend using a max load in one of them as a starting load on in the other. Start a little lower and work your way back up.

Rhino 15 and N203B is supposed to be the same yet when I loaded them in my AR15 with 77gr Lapua Scenar, the R15 maxed out with less powder than 203B.
With the same load (23gr) R15 gave 50fps more.
So there are some pressure differences.

I agree completely. Caution is paramount, every time!

Rusty,
Thanks for the info on the Norma/Alliant powder issues, it's good to have other options. Especially when you can't find the R-15 the Norma 203B might be on the shelf.