AA2700 vs. Reloader 15

[dualsport]

I asked this on another forum but no responses. I was wondering if anyone is familiar with both powders? How do they compare? I know 2700 is a double base spherical but don't know anything about Reloader 15 except it's very close in the burn rate charts to 2700. I don't want to substitute data, plenty is available for both. It's just that I have a lot of 2700 and was wondering if I'm missing something not using Reloader 15. I read 15 is used in M118 sniper ammo, a high recomendation. They are both close to Win 760 on some charts, maybe different lots of mass produced military powder? I don't know, just wondering.

[wiljen]

AA2700 was imported from the Czech republic at one point and RL-15 is made by Bofors in sweden so not different lots of the same powder.

[GabbyM]

RX-15 is a short cut stick powder. It meters well but I haven't got it to yield good deviations in 223 or 243. Probalby need a different primer. Was using Federals. I tried RX-15 and the H-Varget and Varget shot great although a bit dirty. Now you can't find Varget for sale anywhere. So now I have four ohter powders to try out. Never ends.

ps:
with heavier bullets of 30 caliber ignition issues I had may be alleviated.

[Sanchez]

Can't offer much on the Re15, but 2700 is still one of my all-time favorites. Probably it's best feature was a native insensitivity to loading densities.

[spqrzilla]

Current June-July 2010 has a propellant profile on Reloder 15. Bofors manufactured as mentioned. Double-base extruded. Burn rate supposedly close to IMR 4320.

[Changeling]

I don't know about cast, but reloader 15 is the best powder I have ever found for the 220 swift and I tried them all, H380 is also good.

[RiverRider]

Re15 is temperature tolerant and will not produce wild velocity variations due to temperature extremes. It's also just an excellent powder for the .35 Whelen, and others I am sure.

[SkyKid]

I've had very good results with re-15 in my 308(rem bdl 700 5r ml spec)using 168gr match
imr 4064 looks promising also

[lumpocoal]

Dose any one have any info on using Reloader 15 to push cast boolits from a 8mm MAX lee mold? mine drop at 245-255 grains...I have a bunch of Reloader 15 but cant find any info on the 8mm max I even contacted LEE and they said google it but I cant find anything...unless using REL 15 is a moot point for these boolits, thanks

[429421Cowboy]

I only shoot Alliant powders, so RL-15 is my go-to .243 powder as well as the rare times we decide to load light bullets in the '06, .270 or 7mag. As has been mentioned it is a stick powder, I had never heard of it being used in M118 loads, but that don't mean it aint true! I have had good luck with it all around, i can reccomend it.

[madsenshooter]

I had a slow lot of 2700, Accurate called it DP85. It is hard to light, works best with magnum primers and it likes the pressure up. I've used regular 2700 in 30/06 with j-words. Even though it was the proper burn rate, magnum primers were necessary to stop the little balls that didn't light. They'd fall back into the chamber of my Garand and dent subsequently chambered rounds. Same thing with both 760 and H414, all took a magnum primer.

[xringshutr]

RL15 is the powder used in M118. Since you referred to that I am assuming you are shooting 308 Win?? Irregardless, RL15 is great powder in a lot of different cartridges. The majority that I have burned has been in the 223 in an AR-15 platform (thousands of rounds on the highpower rifle range). I shoot for one of the military rifle teams and we consistantly get our best groups with RL15 at 600 yds. Velocity is right up there too. We have done a lot of testing too. It does absolutely wonderful with heavier bullets. 69+ gr. We use 77's and 80's. It will do equally well in 308. The M118 load varies between powder lots, but averages around 43.5 gr with a 175 Sierra BTHP. Start lower than that for safety's sake. ;) It has been already mentioned, but for the 35 Whelen, I don't use any other powder. No need. It has the highest velocity for all 225gr+bullets and is excellent in the accuracy dept.
Now AA2700 I have dabbled with a bit, but it is a slower powder. No question. It should work ok in the 308, and other similar cases, but it really isn't a good choice in 223, even with heavy bullets. Very close to WW760/H414. I haven't done any temperature sensitivity testing, but ball powders are usually quirky in that department. My experience only....someone else may think otherwise. I like ball powders, but not on the highpower range. I've seen too many unexplained flyers in 95+ degree weather with ball powder to think it is anything else. One exception is some "secret squirrel" powder that we recieved from an unnamed source that was just exceptional in accuracy, velocity, and sensitivity. We got 35lbs of that ball powder, but unfortunately we shot it up quickly.
Ok, babbling is over. Keep trying RL15. I think you will find a good combo easily.

[helice]

Xring,
Its nice to see the Whelen mentioned. I have found great results using Re-15 in the 308 and the 350 Remington Magnum.