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What is it about the H line of powders that makes them popular?

None of them say those exact words, but OK thats fine. Now what do all these statements mean to everyone else? Almost every bottle has a different statement.

- RL15 says "consistent at all temperatures". That's a pretty plain statement that means to me it is resistant to any changes in the load regardless of the temperature. But according to the rep it's not one of those powders...umm ok o_O

- RL17 says "consistent max velocity in extreme weather conditions". What the heck does 'weather' and 'max velocity' mean??? :eek: I can't change the speed of bullets coming out of my barrel unless I change my load. Does it keep the same speed regardless of humidity and barometric pressure??? Does it mean it wont slow down in cold temps but will speed up in warmer temps? Every rifle can have a different max velocity too. The statement makes no sense whatsoever.

- RL 16 and 23 state "consistent across temperature extremes". Sounds like the same statement as RL15 with different wording to me.

- RL26 states "excellent temperature stability". Ok, what's stability? Ignition? Speed? Accuracy? I would assume they mean speed. But again, the rep says this isn't a temp resistant powder.


I know how they all act because I have used them all extensively in testing and all temperatures. I just don't understand why they have all these different statements on the bottles. It's ridiculous. When you see a can of Hodgdon, if it has the "Extreme" logo on the label you know it is a temp resistant powder. Plain and simple. The new IMR powders, you just look for the "Enduron Technology" logo on the label (and the screwy numbers that nobody knows by heart yet). With Allant, the only "logo" they have is the "TZ technology" on RL16. That I KNOW is a very temp stable powder. I've tested it a lot and use it in one of my hunting rifles. Why doesn't 23 have that logo?

I know they have multiple factories making their powders and that may be the issue. Can't lock down onto one good temp stability technology when the other factory can't or won't make it the same way for them.

Again, I really like Alliant powders and I know exactly how each one will act in many different calibers. I know I can only test loads with certain Alliant powders in the temps the rifles will be shooting or I risk a change in accuracy. But for people new to using them, the labeling can be very misleading. They may think they're buying a temperature stable or resistant powder when in fact they are not.
Plain ol' marketing
 
Here's how I look at it powders.
*This is only my personal experience*

If you want the highest velocity in a round, use Alliant powders. Hands down faster than any equivalent Hodgdon/IMR powders.

Alliant can give you just as good accuracy as other powders, but they may need to be tweaked a little after large temp changes with the exception being RL16. RL16 is very stable and forgiving if you can find the accuracy node. (RL23 may be the same, but I haven't found anything that really likes it for accuracy yet.) The old Alliant powders, RL19, RL22, RL25 are very temp sensitive so beware. I also found that Alliant powders seem to be more forgiving on neck tension and seating depth which make it pretty easy for me to find and maintain good loads as long as the temperatures aren't drastically different.

Hodgdon Extreme powders give me respectable speeds and good accuracy, just seems I have to fight to find it a little more by playing with primers, seating depths, and neck tension. But once I find it, they are very stable in moderate temp swings. Makes them good for long strings of fire at the range.

I have two of the new IMR Enduron powders, 4451 and 7977, but haven't tested them yet. The old IMR powders are sensitive to temp changes.

I don't mess around with Vitavhouri or Norma powders because they aren't easily found in my local sporting goods stores. I don't like having powder shipped if I can avoid it.
 
Exactly right. Tell the people what they want to hear. Doesn't matter if it's right or wrong.

That's one way of saying it...still another might be: "if you cant dazzle 'em with brilliance then baffle 'em with bull $hit!!!" The great American word games we all like to play. If you really want to see just how stupid people can get over words go on the scope forum and post about how well your scope "gathers" light, then sit back and read all the posts about that comment. Good god y'all!!!! Lets not forget shoulders that don't move and datum lines......
All that said, the "H" line of powders have never been popular with me....everyone seems to be getting high just breathing the fumes of fresh Varget...I have never been able to get Varget to impress me in anything. Not that it's bad powder at all, it has to be the most versatile there is, but versatile and small tight groups are two different things. Now, Reloder 26 and heavy bullets....that's like cocaine for your rifle!!!
 
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Sir
Forgive me interrupting the thread.
Do you recommend RL-15 for 6 br i see some shooters have had good luck and others seem to believe it's temp sensitive.
I tried it once in my 308 vs Varget with mixed results- my opinion was it was hotter or sharper by recoil although grouped fairly well I've just not gotten back to it.
Regards
Jim
It is possibly the most accurate powder in any of the BR variants. It worth about .1gn per 10 degrees in my experience. I shot it in a dasher in 2014 and in March the load was 33, by August I was at 32.5 to stay in tune. More work, but for me it was worth it.
 
I shoot alot of alliant powders also, I have for years. I still have the 1st pound of H4350 I ever bought for load development in a 30-06.
As for Rl26, it's like magic. Good accuracy, better velocity, seems like softer recoil not as sharp. IMO
 
Maybe they are but don't look now. The new Alliant powders are making a strong bid to not only outsell but outperform the "H" powders.
IMHO, the only thing Alliant doesn't have right now is a temp stable powder to go up against Varget. They do have, IMO, H4350 covered.

They say that they do right on the container ( AR Comp )
 
I shoot F and Steel Varmint. In Northern California and Nevada we shoot in temps from the low 20's to 105+. I've been shooting RL16 since it came out. In the cartridges I shoot it holds X ring nicely from winter to summer with the same load. I've burned a lot of H powders over the years but the new Alliant powders are VERY good and well worth a try.
 
Ledd Slinger,
The only three powders we currently have on the market that are designed to deliver temp stability are AR-Comp, Reloder(R) 16 and Reloder 23. We don't claim temp stability by design with Reloder 26 and Reloder 33. Reloder 26 can be quite good at temps in many applications, but the design effect of those EI(TM) process products is outstanding P/V efficiency and high bulk density.
Shoot well,
Paul

Is there any chance our seeing this trio in Europe Paul?
 
Sir
Forgive me interrupting the thread.
Do you recommend RL-15 for 6 br i see some shooters have had good luck and others seem to believe it's temp sensitive.
I tried it once in my 308 vs Varget with mixed results- my opinion was it was hotter or sharper by recoil although grouped fairly well I've just not gotten back to it.
Regards
Jim
Alex Wheeler does a lot of testing, I don't personally know him but he is always in the winners circle, IMHO his word is good on R15
 
The H line is terrible.. specially Varget, 4895 and H4350... don’t buy any of these ever again.. ;)
I've never been to a local gun shop which didn't have more than enough of these in stock to keep everyone happy. I wish I could find more RE16 though.
 
I've never been to a local gun shop which didn't have more than enough of these in stock to keep everyone happy. I wish I could find more RE16 though.[/QUOT
Supply has been good for last few years, but we’ve had our fair share of powder shortage in WA in recent years... Reloader is virtually non existent here.
 
I had AR Comp on my mind when I typed that. It did not (at least in my small amount of experience with it) keep me from making my comments.
I too have little experience with AR Comp but do believe the canisters statement and testing showed excellent accuracy with less powder, same bullet, primer, case etc. as Varget.
 
RL15 in my 6 Dasher is all I have used for years, it just flat works, RL17 in my newly rebarreled 257AI is magic powder. Barlow
 

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