RL16/23 for 284 win

[savageshooter86]

Which powder would be better suited for 180/184 Hybrids out of a straight 284?

 

[Willow]

Which powder would be better suited for 180/184 Hybrids out of a straight 284?

How long is a piece of string? If you have both, I'd try both as you should be able find nodes with either one. I'm sure there are guys who will advocate for both. I currently run RL23 in a 280AI with 184s. Tried RL16 and it wouldn't group as tight and wasn't as good as H4350 either. Your results may differ.

 

[ShootDots]

Which powder would be better suited for 180/184 Hybrids out of a straight 284?

That is like saying "which is better in the .284 with 180 / 184s H4350 or H4831sc?" RL-16 is very close in burn rate to H4350 and RL-23 is very close to the burn rate of H4831sc. Unless and until you try both in your barrel, you won't know which is best for your rifle..

 

[savageshooter86]

Ok. Wasn’t aware of the comparisons to the H powders. I have R23 on hand. I’ll try that first. I have 4350 but wanting to try something different

 

[Mulligan]

My 284 will consistently shoot under 3” at 600 yards with either of the RL powders behind the 180’s. I have shot several groups under 2” and won an agg or two at 600 IBS matches with them.
I never made friends with the 184’s, so I am no help there.
CW

 

[rardoin]

I've had very good loads with RL-23, new cases, 184 Hybrids. With H4831 and RL-23 the loads favor higher neck tension than the faster powders in my gun. I was running the 184's just at/over 2800fps.

 

[gman47564]

havnt tried 16 in mine but it does well with 23 and the 184's at 2830 in a 28 inch barrel

 

[savageshooter86]

Start around 51 and work up with RL23?

 

[ShootDots]

Start around 51 and work up with RL23?

Start at 53.0 and work towards (depending on your barrel and freebore) 54.6grs (in that vicinity) with RL-23..

 

[savageshooter86]

How do the pockets hold up at the top end? I’ll use my 3x fired brass so I don’t potentially trash all my fresh prepped brass. I have fairly large freebore (235). 313 neck. 9 twist. 32” blake barrel

will give it a go and see how it stacks up against H4350

 

[ShootDots]

How do the pockets hold up at the top end? I’ll use my 3x fired brass so I don’t potentially trash all my fresh prepped brass. I have fairly large freebore (235). 313 neck. 9 twist. 32” blake barrel

will give it a go and see how it stacks up against H4350

I have found that up to 55.0grs (during load development) I had no bolt lift issues, no pressure signs and primer pockets were just as tight as down at 54.0grs. My load ended up at 54.4grs of RL-23 in my last .284 with 180 Hybrids. My neck and freebore were exactly the same as yours..

 

[1shot]

I did what @Willow did in my 284 Shehane and found the same thing. Also, with RL16, the recoil impulse was noticeably different. much faster or snappy the RL23. Bottom line, let you rifle tell you what it likes.

Lloyd

 

[Willow]

I have found that up to 55.0grs (during load development) I had no bolt lift issues, no pressure signs and primer pockets were just as tight as down at 54.0grs. My load ended up at 54.4grs of RL-23 in my last .284 with 180 Hybrids. My neck and freebore were exactly the same as yours..

Velocity node at that powder charge?

 

[ShootDots]

Velocity node at that powder charge?

If memory serves me correctly, I was at 2860f.p.s. I would have to go back 3 years in my notes to find out exactly what the velocity was>>>but it seems to me it was right at 2860..

 

[FeMan]

I am on my sixth 284 barrel. One, and only one loved H4350 with F210M primers at 2805 fps. All others have shot best with H4831sc and RL23. My H4831sc lodas tend to shoot best around 2825 and the RL23 shoots best in my rifle at 2860. As stated above, try them to find your rifles favorite.

I would start with H4831sc or RL23. All of my barrels shot well with those powders. While one was amazing with H4350, I have yet to find a repeat performance with other barrels using H4350.

 

[savageshooter86]

Well that was interesting test. 100 yard EC method test. 180 hybrid. BR2. RL23. Slight bolt click at 53.8. As you can see 54.7 open up bad. So I stopped there 54F outside today.

 

[ShootDots]

Well that was interesting test. 100 yard EC method test. 180 hybrid. BR2. RL23. Slight bolt click at 53.8. As you can see 54.7 open up bad. So I stopped there 54F outside today.

Your targets look to me like at that 2850-2865 (same velocity node as mine) shoots very well. You are just doing it with about 1+ grains less. My bet is, is that your barrel is about 1 thou "tighter" than mine was>>>>well within SAAMI spec, just a bit tighter than mine. That is my bet why your barrel is shooting at a higher velocity>>>> but your velocity node is the same..

 

[savageshooter86]

Your targets look to me like at that 2850-2865 (same velocity node as mine) shoots very well. You are just doing it with about 1+ grains less. My bet is, is that your barrel is about 1 thou "tighter" than mine was>>>>well within SAAMI spec, just a bit tighter than mine. That is my bet why your barrel is shooting at a higher velocity>>>> but your velocity node is the same..

I’m using Norma brass. Hope pockets don’t get toasted

 

[ShootDots]

I’m using Norma brass. Hope pockets don’t get toasted

Stay at the 2850-2865 node and you will be fine>>>worry not!

 

[savageshooter86]

That must be the high node(2850ish)?

My new rifle is running the 2770 ish node. But it’s at smith being chambered for a big 30 cal and this is my back up rifle. So figured I’d play with different powder on this barrel Has right at 200 rds. So plenty of life to shoot it and see