Reloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters SupplyLoad DataInline Fabrication
Lee PrecisionTitan ReloadingRotoMetals2Repackbox
Wideners
Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: IMR red any experience for cast boolits

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    leebuilder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    1,029

    IMR red any experience for cast boolits

    Just at a local gun show. Picked up 2lbs of the new IMR red. The dealer said it is equivalent to Red dot. Just curious if any one has used it. I will be using it in the normal milsurp lower velocity cast boolits.
    Thanks in advance.
    Be well
    When you read the fine print you get an education
    when you ignore the fine print you get experience

  2. #2
    Boolit Master waco's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Springfield, Oregon
    Posts
    3,186
    I just opened an eight pounder of RD. This will last me a long time. I'm curious to hear how the IMR Red compares.....
    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
    Proverbs 1:7

  3. #3
    Banned

    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    soda springs Id.
    Posts
    28,088
    it doesn't have the same volume to weight measurement.
    the burn rate is close enough to use red-dot data just like promo.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master tazman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    west central Illinois
    Posts
    7,699
    There is some handgun data(38 special and 45ACP) on the Hodgdon site. You may be able to use that as a comparison.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Posts
    1,091
    Now I am curious as how it compares to the real stuff, so if I have time after my son's soccer game, I will try some of each.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Posts
    1,091
    I shot some 30-06 at 200 yards with a star-gage 1903 w-receiver sights. All charges were weighed , not measured, and IMR RED is noticeably denser than Red Dot. Another factor to consider, the Red Dot is probably 25years old, so I should by a new sample for a proper test.

    Red Dot, 12grs. , Saeco 315 bullet @ 176 grs., ten shots with nine measuring 4.75 in.

    IMR RED, 12grs., same bullet, ten shots, with nine measuring 3.35 in., good enough to clean a MR-52 target. The center of this group was 2inches higher than the Red Dot target, with the same sight setting, so IMR RED's velocity must be a bit higher with the same charge.

    I guess you can say I'm impressed with this powder, I think it's my new favorite load for this rifle.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

    leebuilder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    1,029
    Thanks GGuy and all that chimed in. I can't wait to try some of the new red. The left over red dot I will use to do a similar test as you did and post my results. 13gr is my go to light load for 7.62x54r and 4.5 to 7gr in 303.
    Thanks again!!!!
    Be well
    When you read the fine print you get an education
    when you ignore the fine print you get experience

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    sargenv's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Bay Area, California
    Posts
    1,452
    I just tried to measure 3 gr of it into light 38 spl loads and it didn't go through my RCBS measure very well. It might have gone through a lil dandy, but I don't have one of those and I wasn't loading on my Dillon 650 where it would have likely measured fine in the Dillon xtra small measure. The powder charge would hang up the dropper when I went to charge it.. couldn't get under about 4 grains... which was too much for the load I wanted to develop..

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

    leebuilder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    1,029
    I finally got to testing some IMR red. It has a different density, but I have been using lee measures so far. I tried some cat sneeze loads in 303, 3 to 4.5 gr in two different rifles. So far I have found its a great alternative to red dot. No difference in accuracy or clean up. Gonna try 10 and 13 gr soon.
    Be well
    When you read the fine print you get an education
    when you ignore the fine print you get experience

  10. #10
    Boolit Master

    TCLouis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Middle TN
    Posts
    4,404
    G-G if you impact was higher, then it is possible that the velocity was actually lower.

    Counter intuitive I know, but likely the cause.

    Only the chrono knows
    Amendments
    The Second there to protect the First!

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    861
    Loaded some in the 45 colt and the brother in law said they shot to the same point of aim as those loaded with red dot.

    Thing is i used 3 grains less red.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    central arkansas
    Posts
    1,363
    I can't wait to try some myself, cause my supply of RD is drying up.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

    leebuilder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    1,029
    Got out the other week. After looking at my notes I decided to try a good previous Red dot load with imr red in 303.
    6.5, 7.0 and 7.5gr with 316202 sized to .314 in the same rifle, same boolits from the same batch.
    Using ten rounds of each load. Out of the ten rounds I got a nice 1.5 to 2 inch groups with 8 of the ten shots, then the 2 ubiquitous fliers. I am quite impressed with the results so far. It don't like being metered that's for sure, charges must be weighed.
    Conclusion, imr red is a bit better and good fun!!!
    Be well
    When you read the fine print you get an education
    when you ignore the fine print you get experience

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check