RL 23 and .284 Win

[kyreloader]

Is anyone using RL23 and 180/183s in the .284 Win?

Trying to work through all powders in the winter, so I have my load development done before spring. Please let me know what has worked for you with RL23. I have a good load with RL16, but want to see if RL23 can compete with the usual H4350/H4831SC.

Thanks to all for you replies.

 

[B23]

You may want to give RL26 a try as it's soon becoming a top performer with many mid sized cartridges. I think RL26 would yield you better results than RL23.

 

[kyreloader]

RL26 is fast, but I have already tried it in this purpose (Fclass rifle), I gained over 100 fps going from 65 degrees to 84 degrees. When I shot the same loads at 84 degrees, I got 3008, 3009, 3006 fps from my Labradar and knew that I was not in safe pressure zone. I love RL26 for other purposes (hunting rifle), that is why I have 15 lbs of it, but not for an Fclass rifle over many temperature fluctuations.

Let's keep this thread centered on loads with RL23.

Thanks for the heads-up however.

 

[Titan]

RL26 is fast, but I have already tried it in this purpose (Fclass rifle), I gained over 100 fps going from 65 degrees to 84 degrees. When I shot the same loads at 84 degrees, I got 3008, 3009, 3006 fps from my Labradar and knew that I was not in safe pressure zone. I love RL26 for other purposes (hunting rifle), that is why I have 15 lbs of it, but not for an Fclass rifle over many temperature fluctuations.

Let's keep this thread centered on loads with RL23.

Thanks for the heads-up however.

From another RL 23 thread here is some of my data on charge weight an velocities, my experience has been pretty positive easy to get good SD and ES very little shift with temperature I have shot it in 105f to low 50s, fouling left in the barrel is mostly carbon at the speeds I am running no copper to speak of after 700 rounds. Cleans up with slip2000 or gm injector cleaner pretty good with patches no carbon ring yet. Velocities with the Berger 180s are similar to the other bullets listed below.

30 inch cbi barrel 284. Win 180 eld m jammed .010 coal 3.265 Lapua brass wolf primers 75-90F RL 23

52 gn 2798
52.3 gn 2809
52.6 gn 2822.6
52.9 gn 2835
53.2 gn 2843

30 inch cbi barrel 284. Win 183 SMK jumped .010 coal 3.329 Lapua brass wolf primers 75-90F RL 23

52 gn 2788
52.3 gn 2795
52.6 gn 2817
52.9 gn 2839
53.2 gn 2854
53.5 gn 2863
53.8 gn 2877
54.1 gn 2895[/QUOTE]

 

[ShootDots]

In my .284, using 180 Hybrids, my load is 54.0grs of RL-23. It yields right at 2910f.p.s in my 30" tube..

 

[kyreloader]

Titan and ShootDots, where did you find pressure with the listed bullets??

Thanks a bunch, that will really gets me started. Looks like I will be loading 52-54g and seeing if I can find a nice node. Really appreciate your data guys. Kudos to you for posting.

 

[ShootDots]

Titan and ShootDots, where did you find pressure with the listed bullets??

Thanks a bunch, that will really gets me started. Looks like I will be loading 52-54g and seeing if I can find a nice node. Really appreciate your data guys. Kudos to you for posting.

I loaded it this way: I know it is somewhat faster than H4831SC. I also know that somewhere between 53.5 and 55.0grs is where you will find your node with H4831 and the 180's.. So I started at 53.5 and went to 54.4. It shoots very nicely right at 54.0. There are no pressure signs up to 54.4. I did not need to go any higher. 2910 is right on top of the node and I can't reach the next one up, so I never bothered to go further up..

 

[1shot]

Here is a direct comparison of the same charge weight of H-4831sc vs RL23. The group sizes are identical, but look at the ES. These groups were fired out of a 32" tube, 8.25 twist in 284 Shehane. These were with moly coated 183 SMK bullets.
I later tuned out the vertical with seating depth.
Thanks,

Lloyd

 

[Mulligan]

Here is a direct comparison of the same charge weight of H-4831sc vs RL23. The group sizes are identical, but look at the ES. These groups were fired out of a 32" tube, 8.25 twist in 284 Shehane.
I later tuned out the vertical with seating depth.
Thanks,

Lloyd

Did you intend to upload a picture?

 

[Mulligan]

After a conversation with Ben @ShootDots i ran a ladder with 180 hybrids and RL-23. I found a flat spot right at 53.6gr, ~2850 on my buddies magnitospeed. 32" Rockcreek 1:9 twist barrel..
CW

 

[1shot]

Sorry, it was early.

Lloyd

 

[Titan]

Titan and ShootDots, where did you find pressure with the listed bullets??

Thanks a bunch, that will really gets me started. Looks like I will be loading 52-54g and seeing if I can find a nice node. Really appreciate your data guys. Kudos to you for posting.

I saw case head expansion above 54.5 in the 55-56 grain range no heavy bolt lift just light ejector marks but the case head in the groove above the rim grew more then I liked so I am staying below 54.5, I will say I had to modify quickloads' burn rate to match my observed velocities it is too slow for my lot in the software. What I saw was accuracy degrade above 54.5 so I didn't feel the need to trash my brass for a few more fps. Take all of this with a grain of salt as my lot of powder might be faster or slower then yours. Start low and work up, there was a velocity flat spot in the 2770-2790 51-52 range as well.

 

[284winner]

Old thread I know but has anyone tried RL23 with 160-168s in the 284 ???

 

[Yote Hunter]

284 Shehane I use 162 gr a max 57.0 gr RL 23 CCI BR 2. Sub half MOA to 600 yards. 3100 FPS in 30” Bartlein 5R 9 twist. I use 56.0 gr RL 23 with 180 gr Hybrids and get very similiar results at 3000 FPS. Very temperature stable and low extreme spreads.

 

[284winner]

284 Shehane I use 162 gr a max 57.0 gr RL 23 CCI BR 2. Sub half MOA to 600 yards. 3100 FPS in 30” Bartlein 5R 9 twist. I use 56.0 gr RL 23 with 180 gr Hybrids and get very similiar results at 3000 FPS. Very temperature stable and low extreme spreads.

I'm using it in a short action rifle. My OAL is around 2.975+. I can get 3000+ with RL17 using 53.0 in a 25" barrel. Hoping for 2900 with the 23 and excellent accuracy with 162s. Just will have to see how much powder I can get in the case at that OAL

 

[rifle48]

Is anyone using RL23 and 180/183s in the .284 Win?

Trying to work through all powders in the winter, so I have my load development done before spring. Please let me know what has worked for you with RL23. I have a good load with RL16, but want to see if RL23 can compete with the usual H4350/H4831SC.

Thanks to all for you replies.

What charge weight with RL16

 

[Mt.Boy]

Worked pretty good in my 284. Gave me pretty good speed with 180s but got better accuracy with h4350