Thinking of reworking my 130 grain hunting load. I have been running Reloder 17 @ 3100 fps with the Nosler Ballistic tips and getting just under 1moa. Nice easy every day working load in full length resized 1-2x Remington brass. But not exactly fully temperature stabilized.
Now I'm thinking I want to reboot as I'm looking for a reliable point of impact all tempature load. Thinking of using Reloder 16 or possibly Ramshot Hunter. This will be used on Black bear, Pronghorn, Mule deer, Whitetails & other targets of opportunity in west/east Montana September thru November, so the temperatures will be all over the map. Was planning on using a standard Federal 210 primer.
Thoughts?
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Have had excellent luck with RL-16 and 130s in the .270. Best load tried so far is 54.5 grains with the 130 Nosler E-Tip, for right around 3100 from a 22-inch barrel.
It's a little fast-burning for heavier bullets, but still does pretty well with 140s.
If 17 has been working for you in MT I couldn’t see changing. If you’re having problems with sensitivity during the seasonal temp shifts then sure, if you can secure enough 16 to be stocked up.
RL16 works well, RL17 works well, If using Alliant powders my choice is RL26
If you are saying "temperatures will be all over the map" my choice would be H4831sc and always with a Fed 210.
Brownells has reloader 15, 15.5, 16, 17, 19 and other alliant powders right now... expensive as hell though after haz and taxes.
Kent
I have had fantastic results with RL-16 in my 7mm-08, used RL-26 in my 270's. Both are great powders for accuracy and velocity. The problem I see is getting the damn stuff....I haven't seen RL-26 in about two years. RL-16 is almost as scarce around here. Will definitely try that load in my 270 with RL-16. Thanks for posting!!!!!
RL16 works well, RL17 works well, If using Alliant powders my choice is RL26
If you are saying "temperatures will be all over the map" my choice would be H4831sc and always with a Fed 210.
Have tried RL-66 in my primary .270, and while accuracy and, especially, velocity were great, when I ran my normal temperature test of group-shooting and chronographing at both 70 and zero Fahrenheit, there was over 50 fps difference in velocity and a 1-1/2" shift in point-of-impact at 100 yards.
This is exactly the short of thing I'm trying to avoid when using truly temp-resistant powders, such as RL-16 or H4831SC.
RL16 works well, RL17 works well, If using Alliant powders my choice is RL26
If you are saying "temperatures will be all over the map" my choice would be H4831sc and always with a Fed 210.
Have tried RL-16 in my primary .270, and while accuracy and, especially, velocity were great, when I ran my normal temperature test of group-shooting and chronographing at both 70 and zero Fahrenheit, there was over 50 fps difference in velocity and a 1-1/2" shift in point-of-impact at 100 yards.
This is exactly the short of thing I'm trying to avoid when using truly temp-resistant powders, such as RL-16 or H4831SC.
No kidding. I would have guessed it would’ve worked better for you. Not much different than 17 or 26 if that’s the case. Or enough different to matter. 16 has been an easy powder for accuracy in a few I’ve tried though.
I would have too, but when RL-26 appeared Alliant claimed that while it wasn't developed as a temp-stable powder, it worked fairly well that way.
Today their website says RL-26 has "Controlled temperature stability." Dunno whether they made some changes or not--but my supply was purchased within a year or so after 26 was introduced.
Have tried RL-16 in my primary .270, and while accuracy and, especially, velocity were great, when I ran my normal temperature test of group-shooting and chronographing at both 70 and zero Fahrenheit, there was over 50 fps difference in velocity and a 1-1/2" shift in point-of-impact at 100 yards.
This is exactly the short of thing I'm trying to avoid when using truly temp-resistant powders, such as RL-16 or H4831SC.
Ok I see your were talking about Reloder 26, so I'm still a go on working up a RL 16 load
I tried rl-16 with 130 nosler partitions in kimber 84 classic select with 24” barrel last year. Velocities matched published loads which was a hair over 3200 fps at max published charge. Since I often hunt in hot weather I dropped down a grain and was still at 3140 avg for 3 shots. Accuracy was around 3/4” for 3 shots. So very good powder for 130s to me especially since temp stable
Lou
RL16 works well, RL17 works well, If using Alliant powders my choice is RL26
If you are saying "temperatures will be all over the map" my choice would be H4831sc and always with a Fed 210.
Have tried RL-16 in my primary .270, and while accuracy and, especially, velocity were great, when I ran my normal temperature test of group-shooting and chronographing at both 70 and zero Fahrenheit, there was over 50 fps difference in velocity and a 1-1/2" shift in point-of-impact at 100 yards.
This is exactly the short of thing I'm trying to avoid when using truly temp-resistant powders, such as RL-16 or H4831SC.
Did you mean to say you have tried RL-26 in your primary .270? Or maybe RL-17?
Judging from the context of boatanchor's post and your last sentence, it seems like there may have been a typo?
I'm lucky in that where I predominately hunt, temp stability is not much of an issue. I try to develop loads in temps around 60* or so, which is very close to the average temps I hunt here in the desert.
Have used 4.5 lbs of rl-16.
338 rcm, 9.3x62, 416 ruger, 416 Rigby, 308 win.
Extremely clean burning, and held zero to -37 below zero Temps in my winter rifle.
Here in Alaska, a rifle can be thawing out near wood stove after a spill on the snow shoes, heat soaked to 100 degrees.
Or cold soaked to 40-50 below zero somewhere on the winter trail.
In either instant, a herd of caribou pops out, 300-400 yards out, I need the gun holding zero.
RL 16 has been the most temp-stable powder I've used.
For my extreme temp swings here in interior alaska, it's my favorite powder. I've never had an inaccurate load across 5 rifles, very consistent.
With 130 gr bullets in .270 Win, I found RL16 gave better velocity, but less accuracy than IMR4451 in my rifles.
Your mileage may vary....
H4831SC is the answer which you seek.
H4831SC is the answer which you seek.
That's what I said earlier in this thread.....but somehow got twisted sideways
Have used 4.5 lbs of rl-16. In a 338 rcm, 9.3x62, 416 ruger, 416 Rigby, 308 win. Extremely clean burning, and held zero to -37 below zero Temps in my winter rifle.
Here in Alaska, a rifle can be thawing out near wood stove after a spill on the snow shoes, heat soaked to 100 degrees, or cold soaked to 40-50 below zero somewhere on the winter trail. In either instant, a herd of caribou pops out, 300-400 yards out, I need the gun holding zero. RL 16 has been the most temp-stable powder I've used. For my extreme temp swings here in interior alaska, it's my favorite powder. I've never had an inaccurate load across 5 rifles, very consistent.
I think this sums it up perfectly. Thanks for that post.
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H4831SC is the answer which you seek.
That's what I said earlier in this thread.....but somehow got twisted sideways
Under normal circumstances I would agree completely, and in fact that's the primary answer I provide in the .270 Winchester chapter in my upcoming book, RIFLE HANDLOADS THAT WORK.
But aside from the fact that's not what the OP asked, one of the powders that's often hard to get during these so-called shortages is H4831SC. We don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if he asked about RL-16 because he has a good supply.
But aside from the fact that's not what the OP asked, one of the powders that's often hard to get during these so-called shortages is H4831SC. We don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if he asked about RL-16 because he has a good supply.
Bingo.
But aside from that I was truly impressed with the Reloder 23 load I worked up for a 270 Weatherby magnum. That loading with 130 grain Barnes TTSX just flat out works, and it was very temperature insensitive as it held perfect zero down to -15° on a nearly 300 yard shot on a big Montana Muley back in November 2019.
After that performance I wanted to try its faster burning cousin in my smaller cased 270 WCF.
I tried rl-16 with 130 nosler partitions in kimber 84 classic select with 24” barrel last year. Velocities matched published loads which was a hair over 3200 fps at max published charge. Since I often hunt in hot weather I dropped down a grain and was still at 3140 avg for 3 shots. Accuracy was around 3/4” for 3 shots. So very good powder for 130s to me especially since temp stable
Lou
Lou, thanks for the response.
I'd be perfectly content with 3140-3200 fps & 3/4" moa running RL16. My barrel is 25" so getting a flat shooting velocity won't be an issue, my 130 grain Ballistic tips should track like your Partitions pressure wise.
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I used RL23 in my Tikka 270 with 150 BT, PT, Berger 150’s and Hornady IBs. All the Hornadys shot amazing. Nothing but an exorcism would make those Interbonds shoot in that rifle. In my 270 WSM with 26 they’re absolutely awesome.