Has anyone used this powder in their 300 RUM with 200 Accubonds? Pros and cons please.
I have read it is temp. sensitive.

Don

Dan,
US869 is a surplus powder and I have heard nothing but good things about it.
I believe Antelope_Sniper has had good luck with US869 and will chime in.

JD338

101.1 US869 under the Berger 210 VLD shoots very well in my rifle. Velocity is right at 3,200 ft/sec.

As always - start low and work up.

Charlie,
What velocity deviations do you experience shooting your load from cold weather to hot weather with this powder? Is your gun a 26" barrel?

Thanks,
Don

Don,

I haven't used US869 with 200 grainers, but I did a workup with 185 grain Bergers using this powder. It gave me excellent velocities and accuracy, but RL25 was just a little better in that particular rifle.

Yes, I have a keg of WC869. It's a little warmer then my lot of WC860. In the Ultramag I'd use it with the lighter bullets, sticking to WC872 or WC860 (if you had them) for the 200 grainers.

Thanks for the input everyone. One last question. Which powder is cleaner burning comparing US869 TO RL-25?

Don

both are double based, so they'll run dirty unless your close to max pressure.
RR

I never did a comparison in hot & cold temperatures so I can't help you there.

Yes - 26" bbl.

RR,
Thanks for the reply. I'm currently at a max book charge with RL-25 and 200 AB. I really don't see what I would call excessive residue in the barrel. I'm not wanting any more build up to deal with either.

But I understand from others US869 has some benefits with increased velocity, accuracy and SD's.
I remember in past years shooting 100 grains of Ramshot Magnum powder with 180's, it really heat up the barrel pretty fast.

Don

Thanks Charlie,
I still may give it a try.

Don

Don, just asking, but why the switch up? More speed or is something wrong with RL25? Just wondering.

Scotty,
No switch up happening here. I'm sticking with RL-25 for sure. I'm always open to trying other powders as time will allow me. About 7-yrs ago I had purchased US869 but never tried it, had to move and gave it away. I may try it only to see what velocity and accuracy it could bring just to satisfy my curiousity. I hear people stating 3200 fps with excellent accuracy.

I shot ball powder previously using Ramshot Magnum. The problem I had with it was 100 grains is a lot of powder to ignite and burn, I was experiencing velocity issues losing 75-80 fps, which concerned me. Switched to IMR 7828, problem went away. Iv'e never had those issues with RL-25 or RL-22, as with IMR-7828 they are a different type of powder.

Don

Got ya. Makes sense. I am in LOVE with RL25 in my 264WM. It has been ultra consistent and accurate. I plan to try it in the 25-06 when I can as well. I really hadn't used it much up till the 264, but it really shines with the big overbores. I think RL33 will be worth waiting for for your 300 and my 264 maybe?

RL-25 and 22 have always done right by me in many calibers. I have seen the same thing said about US-869 but being new to the 300 rum I have yet top try it, hoping on a report from Don.


Bill