H-1000 & R-26 Temperature Testing

[dakor]

I did some warm and cold velocity testing with my 7mm STW and the Berger 180 VLD hunting. The powders used were H-1000 and R-26 and I have tested H-1000 before but I wanted to see how R-26 would hold up as the rifle shoots that load a little better. Chronograph used was magneto speed V3.

The rifle and ammo were started at 60 degrees and the rifle was allowed to cool back down to 60 degrees before testing R-26.

Than the rifle and ammo were moved outside were it was -6 and sat for 3 hours before testing started. After the first test the rifle was allowed 2 hours to cool back down before testing again.

H-1000 test with rifle and ammo at 60 degrees.


H-1000 test with rifle and ammo at -6 degrees.



H-1000 lost 13 FPS at the -6 temp but but went down to a single digit ES.


R-26 test with rifle and ammo at 60 degrees.




R-26 test with rifle and ammo at -6 degrees.



R-26 lost 34FPS at -6 and the ES went up to 10.2.

Overall H-1000 is the better of the two for stability but I will still use the R-26 load as I don't feel losing 34 FPS will hurt me that much even at long range. I was pretty impressed with R-26 and how it did. I have done this same test years ago with R-22 and lost as much as 150FPS in my 6-284 when going to -23.

 

[jimbires]

I did a little temp testing with RL26 . I seem to be right with your findings . I got about 1/2 fps change per 1 degree F .

 

[JBT47]

Good post dakor...thanks for sharing. It is quite amazing to me that an Alliant Reloader powder is that stable. I would have no problem using R26. I just wonder how it will do on the opposite end of the spectrum at around 90 degrees.

 

[kyreloader]

Good post dakor...thanks for sharing. It is quite amazing to me that an Alliant Reloader powder is that stable. I would have no problem using R26. I just wonder how it will do on the opposite end of the spectrum at around 90 degrees.

I agree with this question, as higher temperatures is where I have found RL26 to struggle.

57.4g of RL26 with 180g Hybrid in .284 Win shot well at 2962 avg fps at 75 degrees. Shot the same load at 92 degrees and it shot 3009 avg fps.

 

[dminn1]

I agree with this question, as higher temperatures is where I have found RL26 to struggle.

57.4g of RL26 with 180g Hybrid in .284 Win shot well at 2962 avg fps at 75 degrees. Shot the same load at 92 degrees and it shot 3009 avg fps.

This mirrors my experience in the .243 Win with 105 Berger Hybrids. When the temps climb much above 70 degrees in the summer it is almost impossible to keep RL 26 on the velocity node sweet spot. It is fast, but hot weather keeps me shooting H 4350.

 

[bbarber25]

@Mulligan I don’t think it gets any better than H1000 for my needs

 

[Zero333]

When you say "Rifle and ammo shot at 60 degrees" do you mean you shot that load on a day that had 60 degree ambient air temp ? And then put some of the rounds away until the weather got cold and re-chronoed it on a day where the ambient air temp was - 6 ???

 

[dakor]

When you say "Rifle and ammo shot at 60 degrees" do you mean you shot that load on a day that had 60 degree ambient air temp ? And then put some of the rounds away until the weather got cold and re-chronoed it on a day where the ambient air temp was - 6 ???

The test was all done the same day. The rifle and ammo are stored where it is 60 degrees the air temp that day was -6 outside.

 

[Mulligan]

@Mulligan I don’t think it gets any better than H1000 for my needs

I agree, however you have to admit we live in a world with some darn fine components.
I can tell you this, i would not discount rl26 because of a few FPS difference in one test. To me this demonstrates both are pretty darn temp stable. We know from our own testing H1000 is rock solid. I believe rl26 has already upped the game in hunting rifles. I shot it in one match in my 284, after some initial load development. I will say is its a bit speedy out of a 32” barrel, reaching 3k with the 180’s was not an issue. I never finished load development with it as rl23 was a bit better at initial load development. I got lazy and hung with rl23.
CW

Edit to include photo
As much as i like load development, I just wanted to go shooting and have fun with the new rl23 load. This was shot at 600 no hold for wind.
CW

 

[rhovee]

I did a test very similar to yours a few weeks ago. It was 31 degrees out and i was testing N570 and RL 26. I left the in the cold for 20 min in between groups. I left (5) shots of each in the truck for 30 minutes at 78 degrees. Both powder's were very stable in between the 72-31 degree difference in which i tested. 11FPS was the difference in velocity for a 5 shot group.

 

[Rtheurer]

I have burned up 24lbs of R26 since it has been released here in the USA from Nitrochemie via Alliant. I have shot it in my 6SLR primarily and more recently the 6.5X284. Both I have been able to get Excellent accuracy and as always noted higher velocity. not saying I know all... but I have noticed a huge trend that once R26 gets to that 90* area it can go bat shit crazy with pressure. A perfectly safe and accurate load that shoots lights out at 30* to 80* can blow primers at 90*. Using the upper node of accuracy and getting up in that 60,000 PSI pressure has proven to me that its not that stable at the upper limit. Below that.. No problems. In fact I have reduced to the next node down which shot just as well just a little slower ( but still fast) and those erratic pressure spikes have gone away.
Again this is just the trend I have witnessed and I encourage you to do your own testing. Best of luck and good shooting.
Russel​

 

[FatBoy]

I have burned up 24lbs of R26 since it has been released here in the USA from Nitrochemie via Alliant. I have shot it in my 6SLR primarily and more recently the 6.5X284. Both I have been able to get Excellent accuracy and as always noted higher velocity. not saying I know all... but I have noticed a huge trend that once R26 gets to that 90* area it can go bat shit crazy with pressure. A perfectly safe and accurate load that shoots lights out at 30* to 80* can blow primers at 90*. Using the upper node of accuracy and getting up in that 60,000 PSI pressure has proven to me that its not that stable at the upper limit. Below that.. No problems. In fact I have reduced to the next node down which shot just as well just a little slower ( but still fast) and those erratic pressure spikes have gone away.
Again this is just the trend I have witnessed and I encourage you to do your own testing. Best of luck and good shooting.
Russel​

Russ,

so if you were shooting the 6.5x284 at ORSA this September, what node would you looking to hit? 2950? 3050? 3100? and where do you tune your load for the season? i.e. Would you use a different load than you would for AEDC in July?

Chris

 

[Mike402]

I have burned up 24lbs of R26 since it has been released here in the USA from Nitrochemie via Alliant. I have shot it in my 6SLR primarily and more recently the 6.5X284. Both I have been able to get Excellent accuracy and as always noted higher velocity. not saying I know all... but I have noticed a huge trend that once R26 gets to that 90* area it can go bat shit crazy with pressure. A perfectly safe and accurate load that shoots lights out at 30* to 80* can blow primers at 90*. Using the upper node of accuracy and getting up in that 60,000 PSI pressure has proven to me that its not that stable at the upper limit. Below that.. No problems. In fact I have reduced to the next node down which shot just as well just a little slower ( but still fast) and those erratic pressure spikes have gone away.
Again this is just the trend I have witnessed and I encourage you to do your own testing. Best of luck and good shooting.
Russel​

I found the EXACT same thing. I had a killer 243/115 DTAC load that was high velocity/low ES & SD and took it to a Precision Rifle Class where temps got to mid 90s. Blowing primers left & right where before had no pressure signs. Had to resort to storing ammo in a cooler on ice to get through the class.

That's where I made the decision to never chase velocity again & stick with a nice stable load through multiple temps

 

[wedgy]

I found the EXACT same thing. I had a killer 243/115 DTAC load that was high velocity/low ES & SD and took it to a Precision Rifle Class where temps got to mid 90s. Blowing primers left & right where before had no pressure signs. Had to resort to storing ammo in a cooler on ice to get through the class.

That's where I made the decision to never chase velocity again & stick with a nice stable load through multiple temps

Both Reloder 26 and Reloder 33 rise dramatically at about 83F, but if you can stay below that they are miracle powders.

 

[Rtheurer]

Both Reloder 26 and Reloder 33 rise dramatically at about 83F, but if you can stay below that they are miracle powders.

I agree 100% with this.

 

[Rtheurer]

Russ,

so if you were shooting the 6.5x284 at ORSA this September, what node would you looking to hit? 2950? 3050? 3100? and where do you tune your load for the season? i.e. Would you use a different load than you would for AEDC in July?

Chris

Well you saw what the results where in September at Oakridge in 2016...LOL..
I shot this summer and reduced it down to 3100fps ish and it shot great there. Even when it was hot out. I did pay more attention to leaving my ammo in the sun though....Made me a little gun shy I guess.

 

[JBT47]

Both Reloder 26 and Reloder 33 rise dramatically at about 83F, but if you can stay below that they are miracle powders.

That’s unfortunate for me then. I live in Mississippi and a good percentage of the year it is above 83 deg ambient temperature. I’ve gotten into problems with heat instability causing over pressure with various powders.

 

[FatBoy]

That’s unfortunate for me then. I live in Mississippi and a good percentage of the year it is above 83 deg ambient temperature. I’ve gotten into problems with heat instability causing over pressure with various powders.

You're actually lucky. you have a long hot season to find a good node and shoot the entire summer safely.

 

[archeratlrg]

I did a little temp testing with RL26 . I seem to be right with your findings . I got about 1/2 fps change per 1 degree F .

26 is actually rated at 1.42fps per degree if I'm not mistaken.

 

[105Coues]

2018 thread. Might not get a response. Merry Christmas!