Couple of RE15 Questions

[AR Shooter]

Been shooting RE15 for a number of years. First in SR and now in F-Class.
It has always been my understanding that, as a double-base powder, it is relatively insensitive to temperature. Is this incorrect? Is RE15 more temperature sensitive then Varget, for instance?
Also, I just picked a couple of 1# plastic bottles of RE15. I'm able to pour them together into one of the single plastic bottles and save space in my powder storage. Is this safe or is all that air/empty volume in the RE15 bottles for a reason?

 

[WyleWD]

I've been using R-15 in several rifles now for about 7 years. I use it in a couple hunting rifles, and a couple competition rifles. I've not had any issues with it being temperature sensitive. Granted, I don't have a bunch of scientific long winded data on it, but I've shot it from temps in the 40's to the low 90's and no trouble. Maybe I'm the odd man out, but I had more times that Varget gave me trouble in warm weather than R-15.

And I routinely keep a bottle filled as you describe. I'm not sure why they use such a big bottle for a pound of it other than perhaps to save on packaging inventory and filling change overs in production. ??? WD

 

[halfmoanut]

I have noticed that r15 is much more stabile in warmer temps,60-90. Have had trouble maintaining tune in colder temps.

 

[mgx1138]

I cannot comment on whether single base vs. double base has an effect on temperature sensitivity, but RL-15 is a pretty temperature sensitive powder. It is much more temperature sensitive than Varget for example... at least in my hands. That's shooting it in the Service Rifle (.223) and in my match rifle (6mmAR).

My long line loads are pretty hot, and I've got to watch out if I'm shooting someplace where the temps soar by the end of the day. I have had to drop the charge a couple of tenths on my 600 yd ammo when I know it's likely to be hot late in the match day (I've had a blown primer or two). This is not nearly so true for Varget.

I am not sure if there is a "measure" for temperature sensitivity. I'd be curious to know if anyone has a way to gauge powder temperature sensitivity.

 

[ShootDots]

MGX, if you run ANY powder, "extreme" or not, to the ragged edge, you are going to find large disparities in velocity and possibly accuracy derived from large temperature variations. RL-15 may or may not be as temp sensitive as Varget, however, NONE will be very stable when pushed to the edge..

 

[Shynloco]

I've been using R-15 in several rifles now for about 7 years. I use it in a couple hunting rifles, and a couple competition rifles. I've not had any issues with it being temperature sensitive. Granted, I don't have a bunch of scientific long winded data on it, but I've shot it from temps in the 40's to the low 90's and no trouble. Maybe I'm the odd man out, but I had more times that Varget gave me trouble in warm weather than R-15.

And I routinely keep a bottle filled as you describe. I'm not sure why they use such a big bottle for a pound of it other than perhaps to save on packaging inventory and filling change overs in production. ??? WD

I can second that comment. I've found Varget can get squirrely above 90 degrees whereas RE 15 provides the same consistent groups.

Alex

 

[mgx1138]

I've been using R-15 for about 6 years. I use it in a couple hunting rifles, and a couple competition rifles. I've not had any issues with it being temperature sensitive. Granted, I don't have a bunch of scientific long winded data on it, but I've shot it from temps in the 40's to the low 90's and no trouble. Maybe I'm the odd man out, but I had more times that Varget gave me trouble in warm weather than R-15.

I second that finding. I've found Varget to get squirrely above 90 degrees, but RE15 remain stable and provided same consistent groups.

Alex

You guys have no data right? In my hands, anecdotally, Varget seemed less temperature than RL-15. I like and use them both, but I also see more POI change with RL-15 than with Varget.I was hoping that someone might actually have some data on temperature sensitivity...