Is RL 7 a good substitute for H4198?

[joshb]

I’ve been reading my reloading manual and seeing RL 7 listed for a bunch of my favorite cartridges where H4198 is also used. I spotted a couple 8 pounders at a new store, today.

 

[GLShooter]

I like 7 in the smaller capacity cases. Not a lot of experience with 4198.

 

[hogpatrol]

Josh, I tried it in 17 Fireballs but didn't get the velocity as with H4198. Last I heard, H4198 is unobtanium.

 

[joshb]

Josh, I tried it in 17 Fireballs but didn't get the velocity as with H4198. Last I heard, H4198 is unobtanium.

4198 IS unobtanium! Looking for a substitute.I was thinking for 45/70. Also, it’s listed for 7.62x39. That made me think of the 30br. Anyone use it in the 30br?

 

[hogpatrol]

VV 133 works in the small cases like the Fireballs and the 20 Practical. For the 30BR, AG lists H4198, AA2520, H4895, Benchmark, H322 and H335. RL7 may be to fast.

 

[Rick300]

In my 20 Vartargs one loves H4198 and the other RL7. Very similar charge weights and velocity. Don't know about larger cases.

 

[mike mccormick]

4198 IS unobtanium! Looking for a substitute.I was thinking for 45/70. Also, it’s listed for 7.62x39. That made me think of the 30br. Anyone use it in the 30br?

Might look at 1680 also.

 

[bozo699]

Might look at 1680 also.

I have used 1680 in a 45/70 but as I recall it’s only good for lighter bullets 250-300 grain bullets, better do some research
Wayne

 

[6MMsteve]

I use RE7 & 10 in 223 what bout the Re11

 

[TheCZKid]

What's your intended cartridge?
In my 20 Vartarg it likes RE7 and N120. I tried 1680 in my 17 Hornet, just couldn't get it to do as well as CFE BLK. I have been jonesing to try some H4198, but not available for at least 3 years or so.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Yes, rl7 is a very good alternative to h4198 in the 30br. Just try it. It loads very close to h4198 and shoots well. I've seen pretty big swings from lot to lot but just buy in bulk and work up with it. It or n130 would be my top alternatives when considering how well it shoots and how similarly it loads to 4198. Stepping outside of that a little, n120 is another very good alternative. It's a bit faster, regardless of what the burn rate charts say. Along the lines of 2 full grains faster in the 30br and 30 Major cases. I honestly have no idea how they come to the conclusion in some charts that it's actually slower than h4198. Never seen it, not once! Not in the small 30s.

 

[Zero333]

I think RL-7 might be only good for 250 gr bullets in the 45/70... Otherwise RL-10 & RL-12 and powders like Varget are a better choice. It's all due to the huge difference in bullet weight for the 45/70. One powder is not the best for all the bullet weights.

RL-7 in the 30 BR is a pretty good match load density wise for 115 gr bullets.

 

[451whitworth]

RL-7 is a great straight wall cartridge powder and one of my absolute favorites for cast bullets in 30-30, 32 Win Spl, 35 Rem, 375 Win, 38-55, 405 Win, 45-70, and 458 Win Mag. In my opinion there is no better powder for the 38-55 or 375 Winchester. I've used it in the 218 Bee, 221 Fireball, and 222 Rem with good results. I used to use a lot of Alliant Powder for shotgun, handgun, & rifle but I got away from them after Sandy Hook and the resulting constant shortages of their products. The one powder of theirs I don't want to do without is RL-7 and when I saw some in stock back in 2015, I laid into multiple 5# jugs.

 

[searcher]

I use Reloader 7 as a primary varmint load in a couple of my .223 Remington loads. In a 1-12" twist tube, I shoot 50 VMax 22.0 grns. and 55 V-Max 21.5 grns. These are "COLD WEATHER" loads. I'd work up to these for sure in your rifle. VERY acccurate in a few of my rifles.