Rl 16 vs h-4350

[Matt_3479]

Which powder tends to produce better velocity?

developing a new load for a new rifle. 25 creed 131’s and am very much hoping to use reloader 16 since I have 8lbs of it but it seems to be slower then I was hoping and hit pressures a little earlier then expected. It’s shooting good but just curious mainly?

 

[Ranger188]

In my case any many others, the RL16 will yield more FPS than H4350 before hitting pressure signs.
This is in more than one caliber.

 

[Matt_3479]

In my case any many others, the RL16 will yield more FPS than H4350 before hitting pressure signs.
This is in more than one caliber.

okay thank you. Just a slower barrel then hoped I guess. No biggy, it shoots.

 

[Ranger188]

Accuracy will always trump speed.
You could have the fastest barrel, but if you can't hit anything
with it, it's just a tomato stake.

 

[STOMP442]

Same for me. 16 always seems to be just a bit faster. Whats the specs on your build and load? What velocity are you getting?

 

[shoot4fun]

RL16 has provided the widest nodes and best velocities over H4350 in several calibers as well.
It does take up more case volume than H4350 but shouldn't be of any consequence in the Creedmoor case.
It can be a little problematic for the 6.5-47L, or at least I found so.

 

[Ranger188]

I'm running RL16 in my 6x47 and works great.
Could be using the lighter bullets of the 6mm helps.

 

[Matt_3479]

Same for me. 16 always seems to be just a bit faster. Whats the specs on your build and load? What velocity are you getting?

26” 1:7 twist 25 creed. 41.3grs of rl 16, alpha brass, cci 450, .005 thou off lands @ 2900fps with an sd 10.4 over 20rds which I’m hoping with some seating depth tests I can shrink that.

going To hopefully play with 41.4 and 41.5 today or tomorrow at 550 and 725 for loads to see there SD and groups at that range. Then whichever shoots the best, I will be testing seating depths on that load. It looks like my node is 41-41.6. 41.8 shot great but was outside of the node it seemed.

 

[STOMP442]

Sounds like you are right in the thick of things with what I have been reading with that caliber. My brother is running 42gr in his but he is shooting a 30" barrel and getting velocities just under 3000fps. Let the target tell you what the node is. If it shoots good, it shoots good no matter what the chrony says. As long as accuracy is repeatable and things hold together at longer ranges go for it.

 

[Matt_3479]

Sounds like you are right in the thick of things with what I have been reading with that caliber. My brother is running 42gr in his but he is shooting a 30" barrel and getting velocities just under 3000fps. Let the target tell you what the node is. If it shoots good, it shoots good no matter what the chrony says. As long as accuracy is repeatable and things hold together at longer ranges go for it.

well I really got to warm myself before shooting a ladder test. Shot one today to double check results and between the wind and me being a bit jittery I couldn’t find where a node would be to save my life lol. Luckily I had the magneto attached and it showed 2fps difference between 41.2-41.4 and then same velocities at 41.6-41.8 but a jump.

40.8 - 2868
41- 2886
41.2- 2899
41.4- 2901
41.6- 2932
41.8- 2932
42- 2962

barrel has sped up a touch from my last ladder tests that’s why I ran another. 264 rounds down barrel now.

tested 41.4grs at 3 different seating depths and got great SD’s. .005 thou 5.7, .020 thou 2.8, .040 thou 4.1. But from my ladder and my chrono the nodes are extremely narrow. .2 grs

 

[Hoot]

well I really got to warm myself before shooting a ladder test. Shot one today to double check results and between the wind and me being a bit jittery I couldn’t find where a node would be to save my life lol. Luckily I had the magneto attached and it showed 2fps difference between 41.2-41.4 and then same velocities at 41.6-41.8 but a jump.

40.8 - 2868
41- 2886
41.2- 2899
41.4- 2901
41.6- 2932
41.8- 2932
42- 2962

barrel has sped up a touch from my last ladder tests that’s why I ran another. 264 rounds down barrel now.

tested 41.4grs at 3 different seating depths and got great SD’s. .005 thou 5.7, .020 thou 2.8, .040 thou 4.1. But from my ladder and my chrono the nodes are extremely narrow. .2 grs

I may have just missed it but what bullet Matt? I'm getting ready to load some RL16 6XC-II ladder tests this evening, using HBN Berger 105 Hybrids. Was going to load them at the lands 2.774, but haven't started yet.
Thanks,
Hoot

 

[STOMP442]

well I really got to warm myself before shooting a ladder test. Shot one today to double check results and between the wind and me being a bit jittery I couldn’t find where a node would be to save my life lol. Luckily I had the magneto attached and it showed 2fps difference between 41.2-41.4 and then same velocities at 41.6-41.8 but a jump.

40.8 - 2868
41- 2886
41.2- 2899
41.4- 2901
41.6- 2932
41.8- 2932
42- 2962

barrel has sped up a touch from my last ladder tests that’s why I ran another. 264 rounds down barrel now.

tested 41.4grs at 3 different seating depths and got great SD’s. .005 thou 5.7, .020 thou 2.8, .040 thou 4.1. But from my ladder and my chrono the nodes are extremely narrow. .2 grs

Just from my experience with multiple 6.5 Creedmoors I have always found a great accuracy at the 41.5-42gr mark with bullets seated for a .025" jump. Sounds like your load is solid I would start shooting some groups and see what the targets tell you.

 

[dnellans]

I ended up with a load for 6 creed with alpha brass at 40.5grs of RL-16 over 3 different barrels - 41.5 in a 6.5 creed over 2 barrels. Heavies in both cases 109's and 147's respectively

I'm happy with the velocity I've got out of it, but I was expecting the Alpha to hold a little more before showing pressure signs given that I could use almost 43 grains in Hornady brass without pressure (and ultimately getting higher velocity).

A grain above those was pressure in both cartridges though, so I think your results aren't that out of line with what I've seen from Alpha brass in the creeds.

 

[Ranger188]

The Alpha brass hasn't lived up to my and others expectations. Nice stuff,
just not lasting as long as others.

 

[Longrange57]

I'm with STOMP442, shoot some groups! I shot these this morning....no wind at 530 yds. 6.5 x 47 and H4350 always groups better for me. Velocity is not a speed demon at 2775, but with 140 LR Berger it works for me. It may just be me but I've also found that RE16 seems to be a bit dirty. May not hurt anything but when cleaning it's very noticeable. See pics! I have heard of good reports from others using RE16!
Top patches after 10 shots RE16
Bottom patches after 10 shots H4350

 

[Ranger188]

I just shot this, this morning. Was checking to see if RL16 is temp. stable
I was shooting Rl16 and this load at 30degs. - 50degs. this spring.
Got up to 75 today and loaded the same powder weight to see if this load
would work. I would say yes.
3 @100yds.

 

[Longrange57]

I just shot this, this morning. Was checking to see if RL16 is temp. stable
I was shooting Rl16 and this load at 30degs. - 50degs. this spring.
Got up to 75 today and loaded the same powder weight to see if this load
would work. I would say yes.
3 @100yds.
View attachment 1181990

Great shooting! Yes sir, I know many that are having good results!

 

[The boogalorian]

I'm running RL16 in my 6x47 and works great.
Could be using the lighter bullets of the 6mm helps.

Just started load development on my 6x47l with the new Berger 109’s. Went to 40.6gn of RL-16 (caution- load is warm). Got 3080fps and some flattened primers, not too bad tho. Shot a personal best 3 shot group at 200m.

 

[Ranger188]

That's a hell of a group @220 My other (farther) ranges are still closed.
What brass are you using? Peterson or necking down Lapua.
Haven't tried the 109's but hearing really good things about them.
My powder charge is 40.0 and I won't go any higher. Using Peterson brass and it's full
not compressed but really close.

 

[Hohn]

Just from my experience with multiple 6.5 Creedmoors I have always found a great accuracy at the 41.5-42gr mark with bullets seated for a .025" jump. Sounds like your load is solid I would start shooting some groups and see what the targets tell you.

41.5-42.0 seems a good range in 6.5cm with RL16 and 147s also. I haven't tested OAL variation at all yet, but it's already half moa at just 2.8"