RL-25-vs-RL-26

[jpretle]

Anyone done a side by side w/ these 2 powders? Looking more specifically to the 243AI and the 6MM-06.

 

[AckleymanII]

what bullet weight

 

[wedgy]

26 is faster than 25

 

[JRS]

26 is faster than 25

From Alliant Powders: "Reloader 26 is definitely slower burning than Reloader 25, so there shouldn't be any confusion there either". Reloader 26 is designed for use in big cases.

 

[wedgy]

Despite what Alliant claims it is fairly well known that 26 is faster than 25 for those that have used them. Try and you can prove it or search and read. Alliant says it falls between 22 and 33 which is pretty vague.

 

[wedgy]

If you try the two you will see.

 

[JRS]

Anyone done a side by side w/ these 2 powders? Looking more specifically to the 243AI and the 6MM-06.

Reloader 17 might prove to be what you are looking for in those cases.

 

[wedgy]

Check Alliant's reloading data and you will see that in the same cartridge with the same bullet weight RL26 consistently reaches max with a lower charge than RL25.
My results have been the same in several cartridges. In .243 WIN I max at 49 grains of RL26 but can't even got enough RL 25 in the case to come close to that.
What have you results been ?

Again, Alliant says it falls between 22 and 33 which is pretty vague. Are they not aware they have RL 23 and RL25 to compare it to ?

 

[Frankr]

26 works well in smaller cases due to load density..you can pac a lot of RL26 in a case like way more than 23 or 25
I have RL25 I don't know if it's slower than 26 or not but what happens is you can not get enough 25 in a case due to big kernel and RL26 you can get like 3 or 4 more grains in a case due to very small kernel..so they maybe close to the same burn but 26 you can get enough in to make pressure where as 25 you can not unless it's a big case..I know a few guys shooting RL33 in mag cases and like it. It seems RL26 pac's in good you get a lot of powder in a case and due to it's slow burn rate you get good velocity with no pressure signs. it has shot well for me but I have not been able to nail down a solid load...some of it may have been due to erroneous chrony readings..so I have been shooting with out the chrony.. BUt magnetospeed readings a 115 VLD out of a 26" 6XC at 3,150+ FPS I was showing slight pressure.
So RL26 makes good speed and has shown some promise as far as accuracy goes. I also have a buddy shooting RL26 in a 7 rem mag and was getting 3,300 FPS with a 162 ELD M but it did not shoot well for him..another guy shooting it in a 7WSM and I don't remember what he told me but fast and shoots in a hole..SO who know what rifle will like it or not.

 

[savagedasher]

Most RL powder the lower the number the faster the burning rate. Can't say on 26.Larry

 

[jpretle]

I would have to agree, RL 26 takes up less space per wt. In my case, i dropped 59g of 26 and 25, into the same case. The 26 did not fill as much as the 25.
I have not fired any 26 however. It is looking more like i should stick w/ the 25 which i have fired.
Current load in the 6mm-06 and 80gTTSX, gives 3640fps. 25 is not compressed, but the bullet just barely sits on the powder.

 

[Nvreloader]

FWIW,
Here is the burn rate of the RL powders,
Fast to slow,

RL-15 = 0.5200,
RL-17 = 0.4700,
RL-19 = 0.4500,
RL-23 = 0.4090,
RL-22 = 0.3860,
RL-25 = 0.3840,
RL-26 = 0.3397,
RL-33 = 0.2670,
RL-50 = 0.2170,

I am running RL-26 in my 284 and getting excellent accuracy,
with the Nosler 140gr Part @ 3100+ fps in my 18" SP Pistol,
and I never got that with RL-17.

Tia,
Don

 

[4xforfun]

FWIW,
Here is the burn rate of the RL powders,
Fast to slow,

RL-15 = 0.5200,
RL-17 = 0.4700,
RL-19 = 0.4500,
RL-23 = 0.4090,
RL-22 = 0.3860,
RL-25 = 0.3840,
RL-26 = 0.3397,
RL-33 = 0.2670,
RL-50 = 0.2170,

I am running RL-26 in my 284 and getting excellent accuracy,
with the Nosler 140gr Part @ 3100+ fps in my 18" SP Pistol,
and I never got that with RL-17.

Tia,
Don

Everyone seems to agree that RL26 is faster than RL 25...BUT....your post says differntly! Any more info? Where did this chart come from?

Also, it says RL 22 and RL 25 are virtually the same. I know from my own experiance that this isn't so.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[JRS]

The high bulk density of 26 allows you to put more powder into the case than you can with 25, thereby creating more velocity. Reloader 26 is nevertheless, a slower burning powder, by a considerable amount. Reading the actual writeup about the powder gives you a clear understanding. Burn rate, and velocity, are two entirely different subjects. Reloader 26 is faster (velocity) because you can pack more powder into the case.

 

[jpretle]

The high bulk density of 26 allows you to put more powder into the case than you can with 25, thereby creating more velocity. Reloader 26 is nevertheless, a slower burning powder, by a considerable amount. Reading the actual writeup about the powder gives you a clear understanding. Burn rate, and velocity, are two entirely different subjects. Reloader 26 is faster (velocity) because you can pack more powder into the case.

JRS, certainly that has to be at higher pressures, does it not????

 

[wedgy]

So it seems the guys that reload and actually use the two say RL26 is faster and the ones that read about it say the opposite.
From Alliant;

300 Weatherby Magnum Speer 180 gr SP Remington 3.56 24 CCI 250 Reloder 25 87 3,109


300 Weatherby Magnum Speer 180 gr SP Remington 3.56 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 84.4 3,147

it's not the primer

 

[JRS]

JRS, certainly that has to be at higher pressures, does it not????

Certainly. There is always a price to pay for speed. The additional pressure has proven to be manageable, but, nevertheless, pressure increases. I am building a 250 Ackley and will be using RL 17. If I need more speed, i'll use my 257 Weatherby with RL 25.

 

[JRS]

So it seems the guys that reload and actually use the two say RL26 is faster and the ones that read about it say the opposite.
From Alliant;

300 Weatherby Magnum Speer 180 gr SP Remington 3.56 24 CCI 250 Reloder 25 87 3,109


300 Weatherby Magnum Speer 180 gr SP Remington 3.56 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 84.4 3,147

it's not the primer

Are you certain part of that 38FPS difference isn't the primer? Who/what is going to notice 38FPS? RL 26 is a slower burning powder. It produces more velocity.

 

[Nvreloader]

Tod,
The info, I quoted are from the Quick Load program,
there are several other factors for each powder,
that come into play,
like Heat of explosion, specific heat ratios, case capacity,
bullet weights and bbl lengths etc.

I have made up a list of all the powders,
and use it to find the best powders for my SP pistols/loading,
along with all the rifles/pistols I use.

If you have the QL program, the info is there,
IMHO, the cost is well worth the $$$.

Tia,
Don

Everyone seems to agree that RL26 is faster than RL 25...BUT....your post says differntly! Any more info? Where did this chart come from?

Also, it says RL 22 and RL 25 are virtually the same. I know from my own experiance that this isn't so.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[wedgy]

Did you not see the charge weight ?
2.6 grains MORE RL 25 giving LESS speed than the RL 26.
The 38fps could easily be the primer but not the charge weight. Again, try some and speak from experience.