Norma powders?
- Thread starter Sniper338
- Start date
http://www.norma.cc/en/Ammunition-Academy/Loading-Data/
I've used it in my 26" 308 AR with good results, $/# is about the same as V V N and there is more published data for V V N powders.
There was an article in the "Bulletin" a while back about RL-15 saying that it is the same as Norma 203-B.
Norma says, N F W !! although Norma makes both they each have their own "recipe"
Some claim that Lack City used RL-15 to load M118 LR ammo , but changed when the RL-15 loaded ammo was damaging M-14's due to the heat in the "sand box"
My $0.02
I've used it in my 26" 308 AR with good results, $/# is about the same as V V N and there is more published data for V V N powders.
There was an article in the "Bulletin" a while back about RL-15 saying that it is the same as Norma 203-B.
Norma says, N F W !! although Norma makes both they each have their own "recipe"
Some claim that Lack City used RL-15 to load M118 LR ammo , but changed when the RL-15 loaded ammo was damaging M-14's due to the heat in the "sand box"
My $0.02
One of the issues besides data is (very) sporadic availability. Years ago one of THE MOST ACCURATE 308 loads I ever shot was 42 grains of Norma 203 ( NOT 203B) and a Benchrest 168 grain bullet. I wish I still had some.
LA50SHOOTER
Sworn To Protect The Constitution.
Norma 217 in the 30-378 Weatherby does well with the 200 through 215 gr. bullets. - I have some regular MRP and 204 that I still need to try. When Wideners in Tenn. was quitting sales of smokeless powders I picked some up at a pretty good price.
I think MRP should do okay in the 300 Win-Mag. and 204 in the 30-06
I think MRP should do okay in the 300 Win-Mag. and 204 in the 30-06
203B is an excellent mild load powder in 22-250 & 220 Swift with 55gr bullets. Not sure what application you're interested in.
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
In the 60s N205 was the best for 300 and 340 wby. Then they discontinued it and brought out MRP. Best load I ever used in a custom 338 ultra was with MRP. MRP 2 was too slow. Many times it had to be ordered but it is a very good powder. Way ahead in the 60s but there are other equal alternatives now.
46gr of MRP in my .243win match gun with Shilen bbl (MidwayUSA) prefit shoot sub half MOA. I also use 201 for light (125gr-130gr) .308win hunting loads that shoot bugholes and nearly 3k out of a 16” bbl Shilen like above. I also have 202 but with a burn rate so similar to 8208 xbr, I will just stick with XBR once my stash of 202 runs out. I snagged the Norma stuff years ago on Midway when they had a clearance but with prices the way they are, the only one I’m likely to get again will be N-201.
What are US prices like for Norma? We used to have them in the UK when I started handloading in the 1980s, but they were much more expensive than locally manufactured ICI Nobel grades or the then newly arrived Vihtavuori N140 and N160. As a result, they couldn't have sold well and were eventually withdrawn sometime in the 90s.
Our RUAG/Norma importer/distributor RUAG Ammotec UK is trying its hand with them again right now presumably hoping to fill some of the gap caused by the loss of all Hodgdon / ADI Australian powders, most Hodgdon 'sphericals', and all of the Canadian IMR ex-Dupont legacy grades thanks to EU health & environment regulations. It looks like Norma is again being given premium prices, and whilst they are excellent powders there are few if any situations where they do things that other cheaper products can't achieve.
Our RUAG/Norma importer/distributor RUAG Ammotec UK is trying its hand with them again right now presumably hoping to fill some of the gap caused by the loss of all Hodgdon / ADI Australian powders, most Hodgdon 'sphericals', and all of the Canadian IMR ex-Dupont legacy grades thanks to EU health & environment regulations. It looks like Norma is again being given premium prices, and whilst they are excellent powders there are few if any situations where they do things that other cheaper products can't achieve.
They generally run $30-$40 more per 8lbs container that your typical premium IMR or Hodgdon powders run.
Places like Powder Valley list them for $30 per pound. Retail stores typically sell them for $35 to $40. Regular Hodgdon/IMR/Alliant typically run $24/$30-$34 respectively. So Norma has a 25-30% premium. Whether they’re worth that premium is a question for the ages perhaps.
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