Ramshot Hunter 1lb/454kg Bottles

With a picture of a coyote on the front of the powder drum and a name like X-TERMINATOR, you would probably reckon that this brand of Ramshot propellant is aimed more at the varmint and small game hunter and in the main you would be correct! However, investigation shows a bit more general usage across a broader range of calibres.

Like all their products, it’s a double-base spherical powder and in this case designed more for the high volume 223 varmint hunter. Ramshot says this about it: “it’s for the reloader who demands a clean burning, and accurate product. Excellent flow characteristics and small grain size allow trouble-free loading in small diameter case necks. It performs extremely well with light to medium weight bullets in 223 Remington. It is also an excellent choice for 17 Remington, 20 caliber cartridges, 222 Remington and the 45-70 Government.“

Made in belgium

Like all the range, it’s made in Belgium, although marketed and branded in the USA and is REACH -compliant, as all modern powders must be these days. This acronym stands for ‘Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and is a European Union regulation, dating from 18 December 2006. It addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. Put simply, it identifies chemicals that could be harmful as described. This legislation has had a massive effect on the world-wide propellant business, at both manufactures and end-user levels, causing many familiar brands to be discontinued.

To comply, powder manufactures have had to re-evaluate what they do, and the end result is probably better, safer and more efficient propellants. Being very fine, X-TERMINATOR meters exceedingly well as described, so charge weight consistency is good, even through volume-type dispensers, making the process faster, with minimal variation. Plus, it fills small necked and capacity cases easily too.

 

17 to 45

Suitable calibres include; 17 Remington and Fireball version, 20 Vartag and Turbo version, 204 Ruger, 222 Remington, 223 Remington and the long throat version, 6mm PPC, 6mm X 45, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, 30 Remington AR, 30 T/C (Thompson Center), 308 Marlin Express, 338 Federal, 444 Marlin, 45-70 Government in both standard (less than 28,000 PSI rifles like the classic black powder cartridge rifles (BPCRs) and the higher pressure makes like the Ruger No.1 sub 40,000 PSI, 458 Winchester Magnum and the 550 Magnum. In these big bore calibres it is capable of pushing bullets from 200 to 500-grains.

In many ways, it’s not dissimilar to Ramshot’s TAC, though and depending on loading and calibres, top pressures will fluctuate between these two brands. I’ve used it in 204 Ruger, 222/223 Rem, 6.5 Grendel and 45-70 with good success. But I mainly see it as another good bet for the aforementioned .224” centrefires using lighter to medium weight bullets and similar.