The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

icl nobel number 3 rifle powder any one know of it ? load data ,?

Yes I've got the old ICI Nobel reloading manual.
You are aware that they stopped making this powder about 25 years ago. What quantity do you have, what cartridge do you want to reload for and how has your powder been stored?

Hi load for 357 and 223 .
3 unopened tins .been stored in spare bedroom
20170505_213429

ICI Nobel were fine powders I still have a stash that I am working my way through.

What bullet weight for the 223? As Rifle No2 and Rifle No3 have data listed for this calibre.

In the two ICI manuals I have none of the rifle powders are recommended for pistol cartridges, they had a line of pistol powders for these.

Rifle No3 is a touch slower burning than Vihtavuori N120 and Rifle No2 is between Vihtavuori N130 and N135.

As Dromia has already stated neither Rifle number 2 or Rifle number 3 is suitable for reloading .357magnum however ICI Nobel do list the following loads for .223 rem using these powders.

45grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 2 maximum weight 27.0 grns (3330fps) start weight 25.0 (3120fps).
45grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 3 maximum weight 24.5 grns (3290fps) start weight 22.5 (2880fps).


50grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 2 maximum weight 26.0 grns (3253fps) start weight 24.0 (2853fps).
50grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 3 maximum weight 23.5 grns (3178fps) start weight 21.5 (2780fps).

55grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 2 maximum weight 25.5 grns (3140fps) start weight 23.5 (2760fps).
55grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 3 maximum weight 23.0 grns (3050fps) start weight 21.0 (2680fps).

63grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 2 maximum weight 24.5 grns (2929fps) start weight 22.5 (2520fps).
63grn jacketed bullet. Rifle 3 maximum weight 22.5 grns (2886fps) start weight 20.5 (2480fps).

not sure yet on bullet weight, be looking for accruate load for 100 and200yds what would you recommend
also if i wanted to use lower power and cast bullets at them ranges is that doable??
will this powder be safe as its so old ,
is there any online link to the data for all the 223 loads guys

The bullet weights mentioned above were really all that was available when this powder was made and on sale, tight twist barrels were not in vogue in those days. Your rifle and its use should dictate what will be the best bullet weight and load for you.

Nobel do list cast bullet loads but these use pistol powders and not Rifle number 2 or Rifle number 3.

The age of the powder is of little concern provided that it has been stored correctly, have a look at a previous recent posting by ColinR. As for data on the internet, the internet wasn't even a glint in the inventers eye when these powders were the go to powders.

thank you guys for your help info,

Don't throw the tins away when they're empty, they're probably worth more than the power they contain.

prob ,
there from 1958 i am told