Working on some loads for a friend.

Have a # of bullets, but focused on Hornady 200 and 225 gr Interlocks and Sierra 225 gr SP.

Any load recommendations? Looking at available data and trying to convert to RL-16, appears 71 gr maybe max load on the 225 gr and 74 gr on 200 gr.

Going to start lower and work up.

Will be interested in your results with RL-16. From all of the data I've seen it is generally a tad slower than RL-17 despite the numbering sequence. But the two powders do seem to have significantly different burning characteristics, so it is hard to directly compare them other than on a case-by-case basis. I have had good luck with RL-17 in a .30-06, but RL-16 appears to have its advantages in such calibers.

That out-of-order numbering also occurs at least once in our ADI powders, too. Original numbers were chosen with spaces approximating differences in burning rates but later powders did not fit well in the gaps available. However, the number 18 seemed vacant in the Alliant series, making us think they really believe 16 is faster than 17.

Is RL-16 a newish powder? Though my 2018 Alliant guide shows a picture of it and says it is good for medium rifles and OK for short magnums, I found nary a mention in the tables, at least in the 338WM and WSMs.

As you've doubtless discovered, Alliant do have a table for it online, though, and while they claim it is slightly faster than Reloader 17, the numbers suggest Stonecreek is correct.

AH is wise to wonder about loads with different projectiles. Alliant's 2018 book was quite particular about components used. While using RL-19, I tried to find the 225gr Speer BTSP because of its high velocity possibility but finished up with Deep Curls - such a scary proposition I've never loaded them.

I will be at the range 8 AM January 1st. And it's an hour away. No partying the night before!!!! Will let folks know the results.

I didn't top out at 71 gr on the 225 gr since the loads where compressed at 70 gr.

Hard to beat RL-19 in a .338 WM or RL-22 for that matter..Have not tried RL-16 and its not available locally or anywhere else it seems..If I find some locally, I will definitely give it a shot!

Here are my RL-16 results today. 26" Remington Sendero. Winchester Brass. Hornady's were crimped in cannelure. Sierra's were not. Going to crimp Sierra' in next load test.

Bottom are new set of loads to dial in a 200 gr, 225 gr, and 250 gr load.



Bullet Powder Load Seating Depth Status Primer FPS SD Group Hot Load Comments
225 Gr Sierra RL-16 68.0 3.309 T FED 215 2,791 10.5 2"+
225 Gr Sierra RL-16 69.0 3.309 T FED 215 2,823 6.0 1"
225 Gr Sierra RL-16 70.0 3.309 T FED 215 2,869 2.8 .75"
200 Gr Hornady RL-16 72.0 3.326 T FED 215 2,986 0.5 .5"
200 Gr Hornady RL-16 73.0 3.326 T FED 215 3,050 4.7 N/A
200 Gr Hornady RL-16 74.0 3.326 T FED 215 3,087 14.7 1.25"
225 Gr Hornady RL-16 68.0 3.310 T FED 215 2,777 12.2 N/A
225 Gr Hornady RL-16 69.0 3.310 T FED 215 2,801 N/A .625"
225 Gr Hornady RL-16 70.0 3.220 T FED 215 2,866 3.6 N/A
250 Gr Hornady RL-16 67.0 3.290 T CCI 250 2,666 2.0 1"
250 gr Part;n RL-16 68.0 3.290 T CCI 250 3,739 6.5 N/A



225 gr Sierra RL-16 68.7 3.309 FED 215 Crimped
225 gr Sierra RL-16 69.0 3.309 FED 215 Crimped
225 gr Sierra RL-16 69.3 3.309 FED 215 Crimped
225 gr Sierra RL-16 69.6 3.309 FED 215 Crimped

200 gr Hornady RL-16 71.5 3.326 FED 215 Crimped
200 gr Hornady RL-16 71.8 3.326 FED 215 Crimped
200 gr Hornady RL-16 72.1 3.326 FED 215 Crimped
200 gr Hornady RL-16 72.3 3.326 FED 215 Crimped

250 gr Hornady RL-16 67.5 3.29 FED 215 Crimped

tODAY I FOUND AND BOUGHT 5 LBS OF RL-16..

GOT ANY DATA ON ITS USE IN 270, 30-06, 9.3x62, 250 Savage, 7x57

Ive got my work cut out for me!!any help would be appreaciated ...

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
tODAY I FOUND AND BOUGHT 5 LBS OF RL-16..

GOT ANY DATA ON ITS USE IN 270, 30-06, 9.3x62, 250 Savage, 7x57

Ive got my work cut out for me!!any help would be appreaciated ...

Ray, here's a link to Alliant's data by cartridge for RL16. It should work well in any of the cartridges you list, although the Alliant site may not have data for all of them right now.
https://alliantpowder.com/relo...der.aspx?powderid=41

Got it and thanks, its pretty impressive and about covered what I needed.

270 WCF: 130 gr Nosler; FC BRASS; FC 210 PRIMERS; 55.3 grs of RL-16= 3244 FPS IN MY GUN, 3202 FPS in the book.

30-06: 150 gr. ww 210 59.6 3041 fps
180 gr. ww 210 55.7 2791 fps
Nosler partition ww 210 56. 2824 fps

Using the listed loads in the Alliant list all seemed to be accurate and very good velocity and get the feeling at less pressure than anything else Ive tried..and I have enough 16 to last a good while with the o6 and 270.

I tried it in the 7x57 and found H414 and ww 760 both out perform any other powder by a bunch and at beyond book listings in my Renner custom Ruger Lwt wt. RL-19 is a distant second.

Got great accuracy with these listed loads, see no reason to continue testing with either the 270 or 30-06 caliber..

but if my newly aquired Newton rifle turns out to be a 280 I will be back at the drawing board with RL-16.

Give it a try, you wont be disapointed..

quote:

270 WCF: 130 gr Nosler; FC BRASS; FC 210 PRIMERS; 55.3 grs of RL-16= 3244 FPS IN MY GUN, 3202 FPS in the book.

Impressive. Most people think that the original Winchester "factory ballistics" for the .270/130 at 3140 fps was stretching it. But my Sako .270 (24.4" bbl) has always turned in a chrongraphed 3200 fps with a 130 Nosler using original surplus 4831 -- and less of it than most load references call for. I have no doubt that you're getting 3200+ with RL-16, which is apparently a somewhat higher-energy powder than the typical IMR single-base fuel.

I have a lifetime supply of that old world h-4831, and it gets me there or close enough and does it at less pressure than any other powder, BUT H4831 is bad about cutting grains and that a pet peeve of mine as it requires weighing each charge IMO and slows up the reloading process, soooooo! I like a stiff load of RL-19 in the 338 and RL-22 in the 270 and 06! and that good H4831 sits and waits or maybe I will sell it one of these days to some deserving gent..

I have designs for working up some loads for my Sako AV carbine .338 using this powder. Alliant had a lot of load data online. Found and bought some locally, but certainly winced at the price. I’m planning to take it Moose hunting this fall. Do you hear me license draw gods?!

Headed South to the snowies. Ive got 225 gr. Partions being pushed by 70grs of RL-16. 3 more days of archery, then rifle season. Im also taking my Shiloh Sharps .45-70 with the same 440 LBT hardcast buffalo loads that my BIL used on his bull, That ought to work on a moose. I haven’t shot the sharps in several years, I’ve now got a detached vitreous humor, a large floater and my eyes are a little dimmer than they were 30 years ago.

Wow, all I can say is "squint!"

I just realized I never followed up.

Here's where I ended up; all crimped.

200 gr Hornady Interlock
2,986 fps (26” Barrel)
FED #215 Primers Winchester Case
COL 3.326” 72.0 gr Reloader 16

225 gr Hornady Interlock
2,844 fps (26” Barrel)
FED #215 Primers Remington Case
COL 3.310” 69.3 gr Reloader 16

225 gr Sierra Pro-Hunter
2,855 fps (26” Barrel)
FED #215 Primers Remington Case
COL 3.309” 69.5 gr Reloader 16

250 gr Hornady Interlock
2,665 fps (26” Barrel)
CCI #250 Primers Remington Case
COL 3.290” Datum 2.630”
67.0 gr Reloader 16

Well got my Rl-16 and had Plenty of Rl-17..TOO CLOSE TO CALL SO FAR. Even charge weights are close, Rl-19 beats them both so for but its too close to call, RL-19 by 100 fps give or take 25, so call it a three way tie..let your gun talk to you on which to g0 with. It sure is one of the three, all else is way behind..A 338 I recently sold performed best with RL-22, WHO KNOWS!

Three reasons to NOT use Reloader powders

#1 NOT AVAILABLE

#2 NOT AVAILABLE

#3 NOT AVAILABLE

Hip

Well, the floater wasn’t an issue. The 225 gr partitions did their jobs. My first round went through the shoulders exactly where I placed it so he wouldn’t tumble off the mountain side. He dropped at the shot, after a moment, he did gather his hind end, but the follow up shot angled through his right side Ribs ended up stuck in the skin in his neck. 240 yds. So this load w/ RE-16 is at least Minute of moose


My once in my lifetime Shiras bull

I used RL-17 in my .338 Win. and the 225 Accubond on two elk both in the 300 yard range, one a broadside hit taking out the heart and exiting and dead on the spot after a flip and a roll, the other took two in her side and went 50 yards and humped up, huge cow. one more shot in the shoulder and she flipped.perfect bullet expansion bullet. Exactly what I have come to expect from the 225 Nosler partition but the Accubond cost considerbly less money.

Soo far no elk this year.

I noticed in my 250-3000 loading you can load the same grainage with RL-16 and 17..????????? dont know about other calibers but Maybe????It seems to me they may be as equal as 760 and H414, in other words, the same powder???

Interesting with the .250, I’ll have to check that out. Hope you had a great Christmas, Ray.

Christmas was world war 3 with grandkids,and great grand kids, I feel like a old punching bag!!! Love those little rascals..I trying to put together a whitetail hunt on a friends ranch in Texas over News Years..

Went by the LGS today, they had several bottles of reloader 16 on the rack and at $73/#, they can eat it.

quote:

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Hmmmm, I dont recall what I paid but its marked $35.00, so guess thats what I paid..RL-19 and 22 sold for $45. Guess I should have bought it all.

the 338 is easy to load for and lots of powders work well enough..