SHOT Show: New Reloder 33 and Power Pro 1000 from Alliant
When Alliant’s Reloder 17 was introduced, it represented a real break-though in propellant technology. In some cartridges, Reloder 17 delivered significantly more velocity than any other propellant on the market. The secret was a new method of impregnating the powder kernels with burn-controlling compounds. This delayed the initial pressure spike, allowing a longer, more constant powder burn. This effectively delivered more energy over the powder’s full burn cycle, and the extra energy produced higher velocities than could be attained with conventional powders. READ Reloder 17 test report.
New Reloder 33 Delivers More Speed in Big Magnums
Now Alliant is introducing a new powder, Reloder 33, that uses the same kernel-impregnation technology first pioneered in Reloder 17. Alliant Reloder 33 is a new powder created by Rheinmetall Nitrochemie in Switzerland (Nitrochemie also makes Reloder 17). Like Reloder 17, Alliant’s new Reloder 33 powder employs a proprietary process by which the powder kernels are impregnated with burn-rate controlling elements. This delays the peak pressure spike and smooths out the pressure curve. Effectively, this allows the powder to deliver energy at a more constant rate, producing more overall velocity for the bullet — as much as 150 fps more than with any other powder. Reloder 33 was designed for the .338 Lapua Magnum but it is suitable for other large magnums and ultra-magnums.
In this video, Allliant’s Dick Quesenberry explains the properties of Reloder 33, noting that it should “raise the bar” of velocity for the .338 Lapua Magnum and other ultra-magnums. Outstanding velocities have been achieved in initial tests with the .338 LM. This has attracted the interest of the U.S. Military, which has already placed orders for Reloder 33 in bulk. Reloder 33 should hit the consumer market in mid-April to mid-May, the actual release date depending on DOT transport certification. Expect vendors to have the new powder in stock by the end of May, if not sooner.
Power Pro 1000 for High-Volume Reloaders
In addition to Reloder 33, Alliant is introducing Power Pro 1000. This is a new spherical (ball) powder with a burn rate similar to Alliant 10X. Power Pro 1000 is designs for varmint shooters and .223 Rem shooters who load large quantities of ammo on progressive presses. Power Pro 1000 meters exceptionally well through progressive press powder measures, and it should provide good load density in cartridges such as the .223 Remington. Alliant hopes to release Power Pro 1000 in early- to mid-April.
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Tags: .338, .338 Lapua Magnum, Alliant, ATK, Gun Powder, Nitrochemie, propellent, Quesenberry, Reloader 17, Reloader 33, Rheinmetall, RL17, RL33, Ultra-mag
So this is a extrusion impregnated (EI) deterred progressive-burning powder made by Rheinmetall Nitrochemie and imported by Alliant (ATK). The deterrent processes used allows the deterrent to penetrate deeply into the propellant grain, both deterring the burn and reducing the nitroglycerin (NG) loss over time. The effect of the deterrent during a propellant burn is to increase the burning rate later in ballistic cycle (further down the barrel), making the powder a progressive type. This will increase the average pressure in the barrel, widening the pressure vs time curve and increasing the area under the curve, not necessarily lowering the peak pressure. The area being the amount of energy (work) available to push the projectile out of the barrel.
If like EI-Niesen 145, marketed in the US as Reloader 17, this deterrent may be plasticiser like dibutylphthalate (DBP). Unfortunately the MSDS does not list the components of the propellant other than NG and nitrocellulose (NC).
Strangely, the only listed powder made by Nitrochemie for the .338 Lapua Magnum is WLP 250, which isn’t an EI propellant. I suppose it could be EI-Niesen 150 EA (listed for the .300 Win Mag) or a newly developed type just for the .338 Lapua.
EDITOR: Neil, your summary of how RL17 and RL33 work is the best I’ve seen so far. Thank you! As you correctly point out, the Peak pressure is not necessarily lower, but pressure doesn’t spike as quickly and there is more overall energy “under the curve” to push the bullet.
Thank you for your kind comments with regards to my reply.
I guess it’s down to years of testing the larger gun models (cannons, artillery and tankguns), reading rather too many ballistics papers/presentations and working for a certain defence publisher.
By the way, I’m taking it that the progressiveness of the propellant is purely due to the deterrent impregnation. As I’ve not seen the propellant kernels of either RL17 or RL33, I can’t say yay or nay to if they are multi-perforated or not? Multi-perforated grains would also give a progressive burning powder, though they work by increasing the surface area (hence gas production area) as they burn and not only on the deterrent layer. The initial geometry of the grain is the largest factor varying the burn rate of most propellants.
Looking forward to trying this powder in 338/378 weatherby mag. 28″ barrel. Any comments?
Any published dates yet? it should be out by now right? VV is a litle pricey for the 338 and I would really enjoy working some loads up for this..
Now if they would only make a powder implementing the same technology in the 4831 burn rate or slightly slower we would be set