RL-26: Tell me how you like it for heavy .270 Win. and 6.5x55 loads.

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Garandimal

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Have Loaded .270 Win./ 150 gr./ IMR 4831 for decades.

Outstanding load.

Have recently acquired a 24" RUGER 6.5x55, and will be needing to tool up and reload for it, too.

Already got a pile of 140 gr. Speer GS bullets.

Was figurin' to use the IMR 4831 for this cartridge as well, seein' as how the case/bore ratios are similar, and have it on hand.

But as my powder stock is low, and would be using it for both, was planning on getting another keg of powder.

Have been impressed by the published data on RL-26.

So, what say all y'all?

TIA




GR
 
I haven't gotten there yet, but I am looking to try RL26 in a .260 Rem and .260 Ackley. There is a long running and very informative thread on RL26 in the 6.5 Creedmoor over on Long Range Hunting. I have been collecting data and running numbers through QuickLoad, and the data are impressive. The only caution I have seen, which is significant given where I live, is that RL26 may get spiky north of 85°, but others have reported no issues.

I'll be watching responses here.
 
I use it in my 6.5-06 with 140gr bullets and getting 3015fps with accuracy

Does it appear to be Bbl length sensitive?


I haven't gotten there yet, but I am looking to try RL26 in a .260 Rem and .260 Ackley. There is a long running and very informative thread on RL26 in the 6.5 Creedmoor over on Long Range Hunting. I have been collecting data and running numbers through QuickLoad, and the data are impressive. The only caution I have seen, which is significant given where I live, is that RL26 may get spiky north of 85°, but others have reported no issues.

I'll be watching responses here.

> 85° would be a problem out West.

Will check out the 6.5 Creedmoor thread.

Thx.




GR
 
I'm not completely sure, but it is a slower burning powder so I assume barrel length will affect it
 
Since your in a area where the temp can swing alot, I would suggest you stick to a IMR Enduron powder or Hodgdon's Extreme powders. These are the newer generation of powder that gives you temp stability.
 
Since your in a area where the temp can swing alot, I would suggest you stick to a IMR Enduron powder or Hodgdon's Extreme powders. These are the newer generation of powder that gives you temp stability.

Found this over at the Long Range Hunting site.

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IMR 4831 - has a 1.10 fps/°F stability rating.

That would be ~ a 50 fps delta from Winter/Summer out West.

Probably not a game-changer w/in 400 yards.
(and guess it hasn't been, although site-in is usually at the winter camp)




GR
 
Found this over at the Long Range Hunting site.

IMR 4831 - has a 1.10 fps/°F stability rating.

That would be ~ a 50 fps delta from Winter/Summer out West.

Probably not a game-changer w/in 400 yards.
(and guess it hasn't been, although site-in is usually at the winter camp)




GR

All can work but you do need to have the mind set to make the velocity and atmosphere density changes too. The denser air can really slow a bullet down more than you would think. When you go past 300 yrds everything comers into play.

Look at Hodgon's 4350 and Varget supper low, the reason competition shooters use them. If you go Hodgdon's 4831SC it's a lot less.
 
All can work but you do need to have the mind set to make the velocity and atmosphere density changes too. The denser air can really slow a bullet down more than you would think. When you go past 300 yrds everything comers into play.

Look at Hodgon's 4350 and Varget supper low, the reason competition shooters use them. If you go Hodgdon's 4831SC it's a lot less.

On that note:

Hunting - is usually cold and high.
Off-season shooting - is usually warm/hot and low.

Could be a wash w/ IMR 4831.

Have never really noticed the difference, though I shoot from field positions unless sighting in.




GR
 
My neighbor got burned by temp change last year. He had a opportunity to hunt in a area that changed from 80F to 25F in the mornings. He was using a powder that had 2 fps/deg and most of the shooting was done at the 400+ yrds range. He had never even though about how the temp changed the velocity. He does now, and want buy a powder that's not stable.
 
My neighbor got burned by temp change last year. He had a opportunity to hunt in a area that changed from 80F to 25F in the mornings. He was using a powder that had 2 fps/deg and most of the shooting was done at the 400+ yrds range. He had never even though about how the temp changed the velocity. He does now, and want buy a powder that's not stable.

In my envelope, that powder would have ~ 100 fps delta.

Not good.

But, w/ the IMR 4831 at 1.10 fps/deg, even if the temp. delta was all one-sided, the drop delta at 400 yards would be ~ 2".

So, a drop delta at 400 yards of (+/-)1" for a hunting round doesn't keep me awake at night.




GR
 
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From the chart it looks like H4831 is a lot less temp sensitive than IMR4831 .36 vs 1.10 (H4831SC is even better) .08 vs 1.10
Might be worth a try if you like IMR 4831 and have to deal with temp swings.

Note: H4831 load data is different than the IMR 4831 flavor.
Never used the SC version but H4831 is good stuff IMO.

If the .08 # for H4831SC is right that is 8fps for 100 degrees if I did the math right:)
 
From the chart it looks like H4831 is a lot less temp sensitive than IMR4831 .36 vs 1.10 (H4831SC is even better) .08 vs 1.10
Might be worth a try if you like IMR 4831 and have to deal with temp swings.

Note: H4831 load data is different than the IMR 4831 flavor.
Never used the SC version but H4831 is good stuff IMO.

If the .08 # for H4831SC is right that is 8fps for 100 degrees if I did the math right:)

Thanks.

Will give it a look.

Have gotten extremely accurate and consistant .270 loads w/ IMR 4831 over the years, and never looked anywhere else. Being a little quicker, think it may do a little better out of a 22" Bbl.


Having some concerns RE: throat erosion w/ the RL-26.

Hear anything about that?




GR
 
I have tried RL 26 several time with Barnes bullets in my Creedmoors and never could get good groups. I didn’t check velocities. Your Swede may do better.

I use 4831 in my 270 and have a great load and never bothered with anything else.
 
I’m a member of the 65Creedmoor forum, and don’t recall any concerns with RL26 and throat erosion in that chamber.
 
I have tried RL 26 several time with Barnes bullets in my Creedmoors and never could get good groups. I didn’t check velocities. Your Swede may do better.

I use 4831 in my 270 and have a great load and never bothered with anything else.

Same here.

Also read an article that was a few years old that said that Hodgdon Hybrid 100V and IMR 4831 were the top choices for the 6.5x55/ 140 gr..


I’m a member of the 65Creedmoor forum, and don’t recall any concerns with RL26 and throat erosion in that chamber.

Good to know.

THX.




GR
 
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