Norma gunpowder?

[RUMLUVER]

Just looking for some objective opinions on the powder from Norma in particular thier MRP powder. Has anyone used it and to what avail is it providing any edge over Alliant or IMR for instance? Let me hear about your results!

[Rocky Raab]

Never used any Norma, mostly because it's been so hard to get over the years.

If I recall correctly, MRP was discontinued years ago.

[Jack]

Rocky, dip into your memory banks
I have the vague recollection that Alliant bought their rifle powder from the same plant that made Norma powder. MRP was marketed when Norma also made 204, 203, 202, and 201 powders. Seems to me that Norma MRP corresponded to Reloder 22, and 204 to Reloder 19.
Norma 201 was similar to Reloder 7, and Norma 202 similar to Reloder 11.
I'm not sure if 203 was Reloder 15, and Reloder 15's been reformulated lately, anyway, so that might be way off.
Can't say I've used Norma powder, either, for the same reason Rocky stated- Norma powder has always been very difficult to get in my area.
Anyway, Rumlover, if I'm remembering right, Norma MRP won't be significantly better or worse than Alliant powder.

[Paul5388]

Jack is right about Alliant powders being the same as Norma (also RWS powders). The only exception is the coating, but MRP data is pretty close to RL-22 (which isn't too far off of N205 data but it won't generate the velocity N205 would generate).

Somewhere, I have a copy of a letter from Hercules that comfirms the correlation between the RL series and N series.

My impression is there isn't much difference between the performance compared to H4831, AA 3100 and IMR 4831.

BTW, if you look on the bottom of the RL-22 bottle lable, it says "Made in Sweden".

I don't know how to upload a file here, but if you're interested in the letter I can attach it to an email. File size is about 32K.

I suppose I should have mentioned the RL series is double based and may show some temperature sensativity due to the nitroglycerin content. Nitroglycerin gets less sensative the colder it gets. The Extreme powders available are single based (no nitroglycerin), which would explain somewhat the insensativity to temperature changes.

[Cal Sibley]

At one time it was known as Norma 205, then they changed it to Norma MRP. Heaven only knows what it is known as now. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[royinidaho]

Paul5388 is pretty much on the mark with the relationships between N and RL powders.

The N powders 'may' have a few more steps in the process and definitely way more quality control.

Compared to MRP, RL-22 is floor sweepings Though it is the 'same' powder. The RLs, I think, are way less quality controlled. Kind of like factory seconds.

However, they are GREAT for velocity and accuracy. Norma powders are difinitely better but Grafs is about the only supplier and its a once a year order.

Velocity/pressure variations from lot to lot of RLs is pretty extreem some time.

"The" load for my 338 Win was RL-22 w/250 gr bullet @ 2800 FPS. It was right up there in pressure. Bought another can of RL-22 and didn't "rework up" the load, just loaded and fired. Velocity went to 2930 Shot great, showed no pressure signs over my standard load. Can't find any more of that lot.

Thus designated a new cartridge: 338Win/WUM. I then rebarreled to 338 RUM just to see the difference.

[RUMLUVER]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

[Cal Sibley]

I could be wrong here because this may have changed, but Norma only shipped to the US once a year, their entire supply for the year. It's supposed to be shipped in shallow draught vessels, but something went amiss some years back and a ship containing their powder blew up in harbor. I'm not sure what canges were made to their shipping as a result. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal