Seeking .375 Ruger 250 grain RL15 loads and chrono expectations

USMA84DAB

USMA84DAB

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Have started with 72 grains of RL15 and Barnes 250 grainers. 20" Ruger Alaskan barrel length. CCI 250 primers. Lee crimp die into top cannelure.

What should this be moving at?
 
My Barnes #4 manual lists the following:

235 gr. TSX, 69-76 gr. of RL 15: 2988 fps.
270 gr. TSX, 66.5-73.5 gr. of RL 15: 2772 fps.
300 gr. TSX, 63-70 gr. of RL 15: 2580 fps.

Best guess on my part would be 2850 fps with a 250 gr. TSX. Your best bet is to call or email Barnes though.
 
Thanks for the starting data - yes, I will e-mail them/call.

I assume the FPS figures were from 24" test barrels?
 
Just spoke with the tech at Barnes - here is what he gave me:

250 Grain TTSX, RL15

67.5 grains to 74.5grains as max

Velocity at max is 2930 with 24" test barrel

Need 1800 FPS for reliable expansion
 
A typical velocity reduction you can roughly guesstimate at 40 fps per 1 inch of barrel. Just a “swag” number.
 
Swift reloading manual #2 for 250 gr Swift A-Frame shows the following for RL15 powder:

Starting load of 68.8 grs gives 2602 fps from a 24" test barrel.

Max load 74.0 give 2799 fps and is a 83% load density.

My Hornady manual has data for a Ruger rifle w/ 20" barrel

For a 250 gr GMX bullet and using RL17 powder:

70.7 gr gives 2400 fps
73.8 gr gives 2500 fps
76.9 gr gives 2600 fps and this is a max load.
 
Last edited:
USMA84DAB said:
Just spoke with the tech at Barnes - here is what he gave me:

250 Grain TTSX, RL15

67.5 grains to 74.5grains as max

Velocity at max is 2930 with 24" test barrel

Need 1800 FPS for reliable expansion
Click to expand...

I can only compare to my .375H&H, so not quite apples to apples. But I get roughly 2850fps with H4895 and a 250gr North Fork. Got the same with the Barnes when I ran it. 2930fps may be attainable, but seems a little high. Only one way to tell and that's to load them and give them a go in your rifle.

As mentioned I used H4895 in the 250s. I did however try Varget and got a good load with it, and it's similar to RL15. If you don't get the accuracy at the velocity you're wanting, you might give the H4895 a try.
 
Thanks, Guys, for the help.

Also had Shootist43 put it into Quickload and the software spits out that if I load 72.4 grains with the 20" barrel and 250 Barnes, I will be striking very near to a harmonic node, so should get good groups with 4,006 ft/lbs of energy, and something like 2686 FPS. This also strikes the 60,000 pressure line.

69.3 grains was the next node, but it dropped to 3698 ft/lbs and 2581 FPS, and 54,500 for pressure.
 
USMA84DAB said:
Thanks, Guys, for the help.

Also had Shootist43 put it into Quickload and the software spits out that if I load 72.4 grains with the 20" barrel and 250 Barnes, I will be striking very near to a harmonic node, so should get good groups with 4,006 ft/lbs of energy, and something like 2686 FPS. This also strikes the 60,000 pressure line.

69.3 grains was the next node, but it dropped to 3698 ft/lbs and 2581 FPS, and 54,500 for pressure.
Click to expand...

upload_2019-9-16_19-11-26.png
 
I missed the 20” barrel part. That would motivate me that much more to give the quicker burning H4895 a go, I think you’d be closer to the velocity you want with it.

Then again that’s how I ended up with a lot of powder I don’t use now ...... (y)
 
Just be aware of RL15 if you are near max pressure, it varies quite a bit with temperature.

Varget and H4895 are much less sensitive to temp changes.

I ran RL15 in my 375 H&H and hunted with it in 100 degree temps but I backed a few grains off max to be safe.
 
Yep - my Alaskan has the 20" barrel - all $750 worth of it!

I am using RL15 in my .35WAI also, so wanted to try and stick with one powder, but this is just a starting point. Will see how this goes and determine if I get into a warm and fuzzy spot, or if a powder change is needed.

Appreciate the heads-up on temp sensitivity in warmer temps - however - JUN in South Africa should be the other end of the spectrum in that regard, so should be OK. Maybe a reason to eventually change to H4895 though?
 
USMA84DAB said:
Yep - my Alaskan has the 20" barrel - all $750 worth of it!

I am using RL15 in my .35WAI also, so wanted to try and stick with one powder, but this is just a starting point. Will see how this goes and determine if I get into a warm and fuzzy spot, or if a powder change is needed.

Appreciate the heads-up on temp sensitivity in warmer temps - however - JUN in South Africa should be the other end of the spectrum in that regard, so should be OK. Maybe a reason to eventually change to H4895 though?
Click to expand...

Definitely see how the RL15 goes first. I got a good load with Varget as far as accuracy goes, but H4895 gave me the same accuracy but faster.
 
Gents - just weighed a fired case - held 102.4 grains of water - what numbers are you getting with your .375 Ruger?
 
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