Reloader 23 Survey

[rimfiremac]

Looking for your statistics on Reloader 23, for those who have given it a try-

Seeking the following:

Cartridge:
Bullet weight/ type:
Charge weight:
Barrel length:
Resultant velocity:
Ambient temperature during testing:

**Common disclaimers apply to charge weights for those reading- be careful and don't hurt yourself or damage your equipment by using someone else's data in your chamber**

Specific interest in the case of the straight 284 and 6.5 SKAN

Cheers and good groupings

 

[Bigguy1951]

I have just started using Reloder 23 in the 6.5x55. Using Lapua brass, Winchester primers, 142 gr SMK and 47 gr of powder gave me 2712 fps. This is just a test load and I worked up slowly to 47 gr. I did likewise with Reloder 22 and got 2807fps with the same charge weight. No signs of pressure of any kind with either load. I use Reloder 23 in my 22-250 with 80 and 90 gr SMK's with great success and accuracy.

 

[rimfiremac]

Thank you for the data-

What sort of velocity do you get in the 22-250 case?

 

[dragman]

Gun I set up for my friend.
300WIN
don't remember COAL (it was jammed though)
72 grains RL23
CCI250
Hornaday brass
Berger 210hvld
2925fps
load development was done at 40 degree's and found the load pretty stable take a few clicks off long in the summer and had to add a click when it was close to 20 for deer season.

 

[Bigguy1951]

The 22-250 has a 28 inch X-caliber barrel and is 8 twist. I get 3168 fps with 36.9 gr of 23 with the 80's and 3064 with the 90's and 36.5 grains of 23. I have no idea where the max is with either bullet. I worked all the way up to 38 grs with the 80SMK and still had no pressure signs. However I suspect that I was quite close and that I would have seen pressure signs had I continued to test. Also the case is getting fairly full at 38 grains of powder, 39 fits but not if the bullet is seated deeply in the case.

 

[rimfiremac]

Right on guys, this is great info- with any luck as this thread grows we'll begin to understand the capabilities and limitations of the powder

 

[Bigguy1951]

Shot yesterday working on a load for the 130 ELD-M. Tried 7 loads, none of which I would call stellar, but a good place to start chasing the Unicorn. The velocities I have are for just single shots and not necessarily reflective of the average for the load. I use just single shots at this stage just to find out what is going on. This is for Reloder 23 and of course you should work up slowly to any of these loads to determine if they are safe in your modern 6.5x55 firearm. Do not use any of these loads in older or military actions.

46.1 2726
46.4 2742
46.7 2774
47.0 2789
47.3 2829
47.6 2835
47.9 2871

I am using new Lapua brass and Winchester primers. There were absolutely no pressure signs detected. Bolt lift was easy, extraction easy, primers still exhibit almost full bevel, no cratering and no bolt face marks on the head.

 

[rimfiremac]

Please contribute if you have test data for RL23

I'm looking forward to getting out in the next two weeks to try it myself and will post results

 

[ShootDots]

One of the big information items you need to know is: Where does it fall on the powder burn rate chart? I have tried it and use it in my 7 SAUM. In my opinion it falls right on top of H4831SC. I spoke to a tech guy at Alliant and he told me that RL-23 is just a tad slower than RL-22. However, so far my experience tells me it is a bit faster than RL-22 and is right exactly on par with H4831SC.. One thing though is that it gives A LOT more velocity than H4831SC and I mean A LOT, at least in my SAUM..

 

[Nvreloader]

SD

FWIW
From QL, 3.9v

This might be of interest to you,

Burn Rate
Fast
IMR 4831= 0.4421
Hodgdon H4831 SC= 0.4301
Alliant Reloder 23= 0.4090
Alliant Reloder 22= 0.3860
IMR 7828 SSC= 0.3841
Alliant Reloder 25= 0.3840
Hodgdon H1000= 0.3660
Alliant Reloder 26= 0.3397
Hodgdon Retumbo= 0.3370
Slow

Ratio of specific Heat
Hot
Alliant Reloder 23= 1.2246
Alliant Reloder 25= 1.2290
Alliant Reloder 26= 1.2303
Alliant Reloder 22= 1.2310
Hodgdon Retumbo= 1.2310
Hodgdon H4831 SC= 1.2324
IMR 4831= 1.2390
Hodgdon H1000= 1.2410
IMR 7828 SSC= 1.2480
Cold

Heat of explosion
Hot
Alliant Reloder 22= 3990
Alliant Reloder 26= 3905
Hodgdon H4831 SC= 3870
IMR 7828 SSC= 3850
Alliant Reloder 25= 3810
Alliant Reloder 16= 3800
Alliant Reloder 23= 3770
IMR 4831= 3720
Hodgdon Retumbo= 3710
Hodgdon H1000= 3630
COLD

Tia,
Don

 

[rimfiremac]

Thank you Don, that's excellent to know

 

[rimfiremac]

Update for RL23 in 284 Win

Using 175 ELDx, Lapua brass, Murom primers; 28" 8 twist barrel, 284 GAP Match chamber, magnetospeed V2; temperature 1 degree C

52 2818
52.5 2860
53 2885
53.5 2876
54 2944

No critical pressure signs observed, even at 54gr, but I don't trust the velocity readout on that one

Good accuracy, at 300yd, this ladder held 2" of vertical with 2" of horizontal in turbulent conditions

Initial tests show the 53.0 gr node has a stable window 0.3gr up and down, 52.7, 53.0 and 53.3 all grouping at 1.5" at 300yd

Plot of data shows approx 54 fps change per 1 grain of powder in my barrel

 

[Yote Hunter]

I have been testing RL 23 in a 22-250 Ackley 7.5" twist 26" Criterion barrel using 80 gr amaxes and CCI 200 primers. I Have shot 2" (5) shot groups at 500 yards using 40.5-41.0 gr RL 23. Speeds were 3350 fps using 40.5 gr and ES were 16. Shot good groups also at 500 yards with 41.0 gr but ES was as high as 45 fps. Will try higher and lower charges also.

 

[L.Sherm]

Anybody got some data with 140's in a 280AI

 

[CTK]

Anybody got some data with 140's in a 280AI

I briefly tried it with 168's. Will check to see if tried with 140's. rl 26 did very well for me with the 168 vld. Only gave 23 a brief try.

 

[Gary O'Neal]

Are you guys using magnum primers with RL22 and 23?

 

[KMart]

6.5x55 in Mod 70 push feed. 28" barrel. Tula primer. 130 Berger Hyb
43.5 2589 fps
44.0 2604
44.5 2650
45.0 2691
45.5 2728
46.0 2772
46.5 2774
47.0 2805
47.5 2832
48.0 2883
48.5 2915
49.0 2947

no heavy bolt lift. primer shoulders still rounded.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

One of the big information items you need to know is: Where does it fall on the powder burn rate chart? I have tried it and use it in my 7 SAUM. In my opinion it falls right on top of H4831SC. I spoke to a tech guy at Alliant and he told me that RL-23 is just a tad slower than RL-22. However, so far my experience tells me it is a bit faster than RL-22 and is right exactly on par with H4831SC.. One thing though is that it gives A LOT more velocity than H4831SC and I mean A LOT, at least in my SAUM..

In my experience, ALL Alliant powders give much better velocities than Hodgdon powders of similar burn rates. RL15 beats out Varget every time, RL17 beats H4350 every time, RL19 and RL22 beats H4831 and Superformance, RL25 beats H1000 and Retumbo.

Seems to be holding true for the new Alliant 23 and 26 powders as well.

Of course accuracy is another matter that may favor any given powder tested. But for speed, Alliant powders is where it's at

 

[L.Sherm]

Are you guys using magnum primers with RL22 and 23?

Yes I use Fed 215 with RL 22

 

[dewey7271]

Alliant Reloder 26= 0.3397

Not sharpshooting you but after loading quite a few cartridges w 26, that burn is way off. Actual, depending on cartridge has ranged from .348-.362. Just for information purposes.
Haven't run 23 yet but it may be off also.
OP, excuse the temporary hijack please!