RL-16 and RL-23 appear to "bring the node upward" with the additional speed they produce. Both of tose powders produce loads of velocity and it seems in every cartridge I have used them in that they move the node higher than their Hodgdon counterparts.
RL16/23 for 284 win
- Thread starter savageshooter86
- Start date
A lot of that straight .284 Norma brass was a very good deal late in the sale cycle. In accuracy it matches the priciest you can buy, but primer pockets have always been the issue. Just figure that at two uses it’s no more than a bullet, and hope for maybe as many as five.
Don’t throw it away because one day there will be a viable way to press those primer pockets back into spec, I am hopeful.
If it hammers I’d be ok with 3 firings. We will see. 600 yard testing next week to see
In the interest of brass life I'd strongly consider doing some more testing at the low 2800 node - that's where my 280AI is happy with 184s and brass holds up well with minimal pressure. 50-60fps isn't going to do a lot IMO.
I'm shooting the Shehane variant and I'll tell you that there is a higher node with RL23 that not only hammers the X ring, but doesn't trash the PP.
I've been using the same brass 200 pieces of Lapua cardboard box for 1,000+ rounds on my current barreland another 900 on the first barrel. I shoot moly coated 183 SMK's at 2,930-2,940 fps.
I've been using the same brass 200 pieces of Lapua cardboard box for 1,000+ rounds on my current barreland another 900 on the first barrel. I shoot moly coated 183 SMK's at 2,930-2,940 fps.
Norma .284 brass is very good. The issue with low life of the primer pocket is not due brass composition/state of hardness but the fact that it is 0.001” smaller at the base diameter than Lapua or Peterson brass and, if your reamer is not ground with this in mind, the base expanding out an extra thou’ is going to open up the pockets more than desired. I am still debating on a regrind/new reamer to take advantage of the 2500+ Norma cases I have or keep buying Peterson brass and sell the Norma. So far my best loads have been with Norma brass.
I'm having a Shehane chambered in a few months. What powder charge are you reaching your node?
I had some old Lapua brass ready to throw out so used it to see how far I could push the reloader powders in a straight 284.
I did my test with some left over Sierra 175’s but have found they like a similar load as Berger 180VLD’s (usually run them 0.5gr less than my VLD load with 2209)
Here’s a pic of my results. IMO RE23 is possibly good for an extra 50fps over AR2209 (around 2900fps) but this would right at the top end and would surely be reducing brass life.
Over 2920fps was definitely too hot.
Re16 doesn’t seem to offer significant velocity over 2209 but it shot very small under both the 175 and the 180VLD. Settled on a neat 50.0gr with the VLD
I did my test with some left over Sierra 175’s but have found they like a similar load as Berger 180VLD’s (usually run them 0.5gr less than my VLD load with 2209)
Here’s a pic of my results. IMO RE23 is possibly good for an extra 50fps over AR2209 (around 2900fps) but this would right at the top end and would surely be reducing brass life.
Over 2920fps was definitely too hot.
Re16 doesn’t seem to offer significant velocity over 2209 but it shot very small under both the 175 and the 180VLD. Settled on a neat 50.0gr with the VLD
Attachments
How many firing you get? Assuming it’s Lapua brass
It is lapua cardboard box brass. I'm still on the original 200 pieces with 900 rounds down one barrel and 1,000+ on the 2nd. I've lost 2 to neck separation at the shoulder, but the primer pockets are still tight.
I just picked up 150 pieces of Peterson brass for my 3rd barrel. We will see if they last as long.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
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I used RL23 in my 284 shehane for fireforming,so a straight 284 then. I went with 54.1 with 180’s at .003” jammed. FPS was 2903 and shot 2.08 groups at 600 benchrest match. My barrel is 32” 8.75 twist with a Harrells brake... now to get that out of shehane loads.....
I’m using RL23 in my shehane and found it hammers with 56.2 with .020” jump with 180’s. I’m getting 3030 FPS and low es and sd 10 and 2.8... I have a .220 freebore and a .315 neck... this thing is fun to shoot
Have you tried the Sierra 180 gr. hpbt match with R23?
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
No. I have never shot those bullets.
CW
Shooting a straight 284 with RL-22. 184 Bergers seem to like 2850 fps. Still working on the recipe but right now . Shooting in the low 3's.
(Bat M with a 30" Brux barrel)
(Bat M with a 30" Brux barrel)
My current load on this barrel (31”) is running 184 hybrids at 2840-50 fps in a .5gr+ node running RL-23. 10 shot groups at 600yds at a hair over 2” to 1.6” vertical. Jumping 0.010”. I did not expect to run them that fast but the brass (Peterson) is fine with it and that is where it wants to shoot with Rl-23. My first barrel liked them at 2830-40fps in Norma cases.
I don't remember reading on here where anyone is shooting these bullets. I wonder why?
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