.260 AI and RL-23 Results

[smokinghole]

I have both loaded up at safe weights. I used some info from you in a PM to start my RL23 loads with 175s.

Berger does list it basically grain for grain with 4831SC in 7WSM loads. I'm sure there's a point of departure in the pressure similarity. I know it's a different case size but for comparison sake it's something to go off. Only is it listed with the 7WSM for some reason. In fact in the 150 Classic hunter load it has a higher max weight and a compressed load.

 

[josh shrum]

I have both loaded up at safe weights. I used some info from you in a PM to start my RL23 loads with 175s.

Berger does list it basically grain for grain with 4831SC in 7WSM loads. I'm sure there's a point of departure in the pressure similarity. I know it's a different case size but for comparison sake it's something to go off.

If I remember correctly, Alliant said that RL 23 most closely resembles 4831SC in terms of pressure, but provides more velocity. I have found this to be accurate in my 6.5-284, where loads of 4831SC and RL23 both maxed out at the same charge weight. That said, the RL23 was almost 175 fps faster than the 4831SC in the current load I am using, and shoots just plain bonkers from a sporter rifle.

Load and rifle info for those planning to try RL23:

Kelbly Atlas Tactical
Bartlein
McMillan Gamescout

Lapua 6.5-284 Brass
Wolf LR Magnum Primer
Berger 140 VLD Hunter
Reloder 23 (53.0 gr)

Josh

 

[rardoin]

If I remember correctly, Alliant said that RL 23 most closely resembles 4831SC in terms of pressure, but provides more velocity. I have found this to be accurate in my 6.5-284, where loads of 4831SC and RL23 both maxed out at the same charge weight.

I have found the same in a 6.5 x55 Imp. I use 49.4gr RL-23 to get 2950-60fps with a 142gr versus 50.8gr H4831sc. Precision is excellent with RL-23 and the brass is holding very well.

 

[josh shrum]

@JLT your velocities pretty much mimick the speed I am getting @53.0gr of RL23. I am looking forward to pushing those 150 SMK's to see what they can do!

Josh

 

[JLT]

@JLT your velocities pretty much mimick the speed I am getting @53.0gr of RL23. I am looking forward to pushing those 150 SMK's to see what they can do!

Josh

Josh, I'm with you! I look forward to working with the 150 Sierras and both of these Alliant powders in the larger 6.5-.284 case. I stopped at 54.0 of RL-26 behind a 140 because I got the accuracy I wanted and the node was pretty generous, but I don't think that load is anywhere near the top end. 3k with that 150 would be just the thing when the wind blows.

 

[Fast14riot]

Just checking in to see how this load is still holding up as weather warms up. I haven't got to shoot my ladder test yet due to some life getting in the way, but I managed to score an 8# keg of rl23 for $129 and couldn't pass it up, so I guess I'm committed to this powder now, lol!

 

[wboggs]

Josh, I'm with you! I look forward to working with the 150 Sierras and both of these Alliant powders in the larger 6.5-.284 case. I stopped at 54.0 of RL-26 behind a 140 because I got the accuracy I wanted and the node was pretty generous, but I don't think that load is anywhere near the top end. 3k with that 150 would be just the thing when the wind blows.

3k with the 150 smk is easily done with the PRC or saum. See alf's post on the PRC.

 

[JLT]

Just checking in to see how this load is still holding up as weather warms up. I haven't got to shoot my ladder test yet due to some life getting in the way, but I managed to score an 8# keg of rl23 for $129 and couldn't pass it up, so I guess I'm committed to this powder now, lol!

$129 for an 8 pounder is quite the deal!

I was hoping to get some range time this weekend but 'unforeseen projects' (fixing broken stuff) have reared their heads. I may get a chance mid-week to get some range time and I'll give the .260 AI and the 6.5-.284 some work with both powders and report back.

Expected temperatures won't give me much temp-related data for the RL-26 loads, though. Daytime highs are going to struggle to hit 60 degrees F this week in E. Texas. Heck, it was 39 degrees this morning! Had me wondering if I had somehow woken up back in central New York . . .

 

[ShaneG.]

I got the same deal on RL23 at Sportsmans Warehouse. Couldn't pass it up. My old barrel had 2 jugs of 2000MR and a lot of 4831sc. I have a new Krieger I need to get tuned in.

 

[Fast14riot]

Shot a couple velocity ladders today in my 260AI with H4831 and RL23... interesting results.

 

[JLT]

Did you run into pressure with the RL-23 ladder?

Interesting, indeed. Your barrel definitely prefers 4831.

 

[josh shrum]

What was the reason you stayed so low on your powder charge with the RL23? Did you get pressure si

Did you run into pressure with the RL-23 ladder?

Interesting, indeed. Your barrel definitely prefers 4831.

My thoughts as well, why did you stop at 47.6 with RL23?

 

[Fast14riot]

No pressure signs. The charge weights were simply a mirror of the ladder test done in the beginning of this thread. I will continue it up a bit more, possibly up to near 49gr. I was a bit surprised by the velocity of the H4831, honestly. Did run into pressure with the 4831 at the very top end.

 

[JLT]

I had a chance to shoot the RL-23 loads at 500 yards this past Wednesday. I'm pleased with how the 47.3 gr. load performed.

I put 12 into a practice target (x ring measures 3", 10 ring measures 6") after three foulers and it looked like this:



I shot vertical center point of hold for the first 11 (holding off for wind), and I adjusted my vertical hold trying to punch the X on the 12th shot. Ignoring that last shot, the vertical looks pretty good at just a little over an inch. I didn't dawdle much, shooting the 15 rounds in under 15 minutes. The 12 shot group is right around 2 inches.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I may fiddle with seating depth just a bit but I'm happy with this combination in my rifle.

 

[JLT]

No pressure signs. The charge weights were simply a mirror of the ladder test done in the beginning of this thread. I will continue it up a bit more, possibly up to near 49gr. I was a bit surprised by the velocity of the H4831, honestly. Did run into pressure with the 4831 at the very top end.

I was looking at your targets again and I'm assuming the 2.950 refers to your COAL with the 140 RDFs. Have you tried jumping them a good ways? The RDFs tend to like being seated a fair amount from the lands - 20 to 40 thousandths short of the lands tends to be where happiness lives.

 

[Fast14riot]

@JLT with my .140" free bore I'm jumping them .030". That's where my seating depth test seemed to produce best results.

 

[JLT]

@JLT with my .140" free bore I'm jumping them .030". That's where my seating depth test seemed to produce best results.

@Fast14riot , thanks for the clarification. That pretty much matches up with my experience with those pointy suckers . . .

 

[Ray in Houston]

Which 260 AI are you using....???? the 30deg shoulder or the 40deg shoulder...???

 

[Fast14riot]

I'm using the true Ackley design, 40° shoulder. 0.140" free bore, 0.298" neck.