Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RL 16

I saw that Midway has RL 16 in stock. Has anyone used this powder in 30-06, 7-08 or 7x57 ? And what results did you see ? I have used RL 19 quite a bit in the past but have not loaded any of this RL 16.

It’s my favorite powder for the .30-06. I have loads worked up several different rifles for the 180NP, 180 Accubond, and 168 TTSX. Used a T3 with 180 Partitions to take 5 different critters in Africa last year. I did my load development before Covid, and now the stuff has become much more expensive and virtually unobtainable.

RL-16 is a great powder. It's very consistent, has a de-coppering agent added. Ive used several pounds and really like it in my 7-08 with 139 gr SST's or 140 gr Sierra GameKings but it became unobtainable for many, many months. Since it has finally became available, albeit in limited quantities the price has went sky high.

Even though I like the characteristics of the powder I simply will not pay what it's selling for. Midway USA has it right now, Sunday 2-4-24, for 69.99 per pound. Simply incredulous. I have other powders that I will use before I pay that.

RL16 is very close to H4350

Way too [bleep] high for me....I still have 9 lbs but I'll find a replacement.

Seen a big jug of RL 16 here in AK at $563 at that price it will sit on my 4# of RL 16, going to save it for hunting loads and use H 4350 for play.

Great in my 7-08, hunting load it’s quite accurate with a 139 btsp, getting 2840.

I’ve just started playing with 130s in my 270 and it looks promising there too.

Exceptional performance in 6CM and 270.......

One of my hunting buds uses it in 7-08, says it is great for that.

Great powder. I've used it in the 6.5 CM, .280 and .300 Win Mag with excellent results. I'm planning to use it in the 30-06 but haven't gotten around to it yet.

That same jug was like $589 the first few days it was there. I went back a few days and noticed it was a little over $20 cheaper.

I bought a couple pounds to work up a load in my .338 WM Sako Carbine. Last fall it was @52.00/#. I had a gift card, so I held my nose and bought some. I’ve also seen these unbelievable high prices. 75.00/#.

Why? Is it also canister grade powder for 155 mm on down?

I recall the years post-sandyhook. My son was in 4-H and people were hoarding .22lr. Our county shooting sports club had to go to CMP to get ammo. Are we in another rationing type scenario? It used to be the one could save substantial finances by reloading. I dont think that’s the case any longer. (Pun not intended)

Got one 8 pounder, but I bought that when it first came out and was actually pretty cheap. Bought it before it got discovered by others....Haven't burnt up much of it. Its pretty interchangeable with H 4350. I don't shoot a lot of calibers that require that slow of a burn rate, any more.

8# Jug here in Chugiak AK for $563.99 may be there for a while!

Bought 2 # at $60 a pound, ouch!

Shot up an 8# jug in the last couple years in my 6.5CM. Excellent results. Bought that jug for $289 - just saw an 8#'er at a local shop for $499. Ouch. I like it, but not that much. Will be using up my H4350 & IMR4064 in the '06 instead.

RE15.5 ??????

Are we cutting hairs here ?


https://alliantpowder.com/products/powder/reloderts15-5.aspx

Cost aside, between H4350 and RL-16, which would ya'll prefer for running 180 TTSX or 178 ELD-X in 30-06 and why? I'm somewhat new to reloading. I'll be shooting a Mod 70 Extreme for hunting and Rem 700 Long Range for target fun. I bought some H4350 but wonder if RL-16 is a better powder. If so why?

Both should work fine, but I think you are likely to get slightly more velocity from RL-16 as it's a double base powder. I've seen that trend in my 6.5 Creedmoor loads with those two powders. Both are relatively temperature insensitive, but RL-16 also has a decoppering agent which I think is a nice addition.

Going to give RL 16 a shot in my 30-06.

I saw IMR 4350 in a local shop Monday for $69.99 a pound. According to one of the guys working there, a price of a penny a grain will be the norm for powders in the future. I hope he’s wrong.