Reloader 15 ?
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
Only the target will tell......but in MY experience YES......temperature and humidity does change ambient air density. Chronograph readings also change with temperature/humidty(air density) changes.
Stay safe.
Last edited:
I never used Reloader 15 but in Sinclair's 2015 catalog write up, they claim, and I quote, "it is consistent at all temperatures".
However, there is more going on with large environment changes than just powder stability. Air density changes occur that can affect point of impact in my experience even with so called temperature stable powders. Even with extruded powders such as Varget, H 4895, and IMR 4895 / 4064, I have encountered some POI shifts, not severe enough to matter for big game hunting, but enough for the need to adjust scope settings for varmint / predator hunting.
While I do not use ball powder anymore in rifle reloads, this is where I have experienced the most dramatic changes, especially pressure surges in the 90+ days in the field. In other words, in my experience, ball powders seem to very sensitive to temperature changes.
I think it is always prudent to check your sight in when the seasons change. Since I shoot all year around, I found this to be necessary for precision shooting and maintaining consistent POI. If you shoot enough in different seasons with significant temperature differences, you will see for yourself the effect.
However, there is more going on with large environment changes than just powder stability. Air density changes occur that can affect point of impact in my experience even with so called temperature stable powders. Even with extruded powders such as Varget, H 4895, and IMR 4895 / 4064, I have encountered some POI shifts, not severe enough to matter for big game hunting, but enough for the need to adjust scope settings for varmint / predator hunting.
While I do not use ball powder anymore in rifle reloads, this is where I have experienced the most dramatic changes, especially pressure surges in the 90+ days in the field. In other words, in my experience, ball powders seem to very sensitive to temperature changes.
I think it is always prudent to check your sight in when the seasons change. Since I shoot all year around, I found this to be necessary for precision shooting and maintaining consistent POI. If you shoot enough in different seasons with significant temperature differences, you will see for yourself the effect.
RL-15 is decent powder but it is not the most stable. Loads will vary in temp. changes.
RL-15 and RL-22 suck when it comes to temp stability. Even a cold barrel and a hot barrel will have different points of impact in the same exact atmospheric conditions
At 100 yards you won't notice too much. But when you go beyond 300 yards RL-15 is not a good choice,.. unless they've changed it to make it more temp stable.
At 100 yards you won't notice too much. But when you go beyond 300 yards RL-15 is not a good choice,.. unless they've changed it to make it more temp stable.
In my 308Win, I just switched from RE15 to RE15.5. The accuracy was slightly better and the pressure was, presumably, slightly lower but I never even considered the temperature sensitivity issue. Hmmmm
Re TS 15.5 is a very different animal from the old Re15. 15.5 is one of Alliant/Bofors new 'TZ' temperature-stable grades with a very good reputation in this respect. It joins Re16 and 23 in the new-technology range. (Possibly AR-Comp too?)
Conversely, Re15 has long been known to be very temperature sensitive, hence the US Army telling Federal that the M118LR 7.62 sniper cartridge had to be reformulated after Re15 caused over-pressure problems in Iraq some years back. (Federal switched powders from Re15 to IMR-4064 at the time.)
Old Navy
Gold $$ Contributor
Varget works for me.
In an AR SERVICE rifle, not a bolt gun, I used 24-ish of RL15 for Highpower competition for nearly 20 years. Sierra 69, 77, 80 SMK. I say -ish because I fiddled with moly for a few years but for the most part 24.0 for the 77's & 24.5 for the 80 seated long. Same charge spring, summer, fall, rain or shine, hot or cold, the same charges every year for many years with my share of success. I could not notice any sensitivity in my loads that were weather related and the teams I shot with pretty much used the same or very similar loads. Any changes to my zeros were generally range specific. I suspect a .223 Palma load in a long barreled bolt gun for 1000 yards would be quite different as far as the pressures go. I was just a knuckle dragging service rifle shooter.
Yes, I used it successfully in a very hot 223 F/TR load with 90s at one time. It was the only powder I've ever seen affected by our much smaller range of temperatures in the British Isles. But, if you push loads to the limit, you get these things.
I've used Re15 in 308 and 223 for many, many years - and as in your experience, never noticed any untoward effects in milder loads. Unfortunately, Alliant powders are now in very short supply in the UK, and the importer has put ridiculous prices on them.
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
Alliant has many customers looking elsewhere due to pricing here in the US.
I don’t mind helping folks send the kids to college, however I’m not willing to spend an extra Benjamin on every jug.
CW
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Maybe one of the most temp unstable powders on the market.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Crazy temp sensitive in 223.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.