RL16 and 243

[Ksmirk]

I found myself with a pound of RL16 and while I normally load H4831SC I was wondering about this powder with the heavier bullets like 115 DTAC mainly as I also have some of them. I have been shooting the Berger 105's since I put this barrel on the rifle and let's just say curiosity has gotten the best of me. From the searching I have done I've not found much besides some folks are using H4350 data for the RL16 and did find some load data on the Alliant page for the 105's but that's about it.

I guess to the point has anyone played with the RL16 and the 110 or 115gr bullets and can offer a bit of direction for the straight ol' plain Jane 243 Win?

Long story on the short I put together a 243LBC and it has been shooting the 95 and 105's amazing so figure the 243 has a few more cubic inches may as well step it up with the heavier bullets. Thanks for your time fella's!

Kirk

 

[msinc]

You might want to also look at Reloder26. I personally don't shoot heavy bullets in my 243, but I have been hearing guys talking about how fantastic R26 is in the 243 with heavy bullets{actually anything with heavier bullets}. Today I loaded some test rounds with 43 grains of Reloder16 with the 80 grain Barnes TTSX bullet. I intend to see how they work tomorrow if time permits.

 

[77racer]

I shoot a straight 243 in midrange fclass. I'm loving the RL16 behind 110 sierras with a 7.5 twist barrel. 210m primers and 39.3gr puts it right at 3000 in my barrel.

 

[urbanrifleman]

You might want to also look at Reloder26. I personally don't shoot heavy bullets in my 243, but I have been hearing guys talking about how fantastic R26 is in the 243 with heavy bullets{actually anything with heavier bullets}. Today I loaded some test rounds with 43 grains of Reloder16 with the 80 grain Barnes TTSX bullet. I intend to see how they work tomorrow if time permits.

I found the great node at 42.5 with the 80 Blitz. Super accurate.

 

[Ksmirk]

So from what folks have posted it is real close to H4350 in charge weights. I got a screamin' deal on 1K Berger 105's after I put on the 7.5T barrel and have played with H1000, Retumbo, H4350, and stuck with the H4831SC BUT digging around for some 30 cal bullets I found 100 115 DTAC's and found the pound of RL16 so the gears in the mind started grinding..... never could find much info for the 243 so thought I'd ask.

Guys I appreciate the info as it gives me a bit more of a warm fuzzy on which way to go with this powder and bullet combo. Thanks!

Kirk

 

[dminn1]

I have worked with RL-16, 105 Berger Hybrid, Win brass, Tula LR primers. Worked from 39g to 41g in .5g increments and had excellent 5 shot accuracy of .239" at 39g at 2950fps, and .291"at 40.5g with a velocity of 3021fps. Velocity spreads are also very low with this powder when it is at a charge weight that shoots tight. I shoot the 40.5g load at my 600 yard range on steel and water bottle targets and it never lets me down. Now when we move to the 1000 yard range that opens up in the fall and winter months, I like to switch to RL-26 which lets me run this same bullet at 3240 fps on a great accuracy node. RL-26 is like rocket fuel and takes the .243 into a whole different league. Having said that I have found it to be temperature sensitive in my extensive testing. I have problems staying on the node when temps get above 70. I do not even try to shoot this powder until the temp settles below 60.

 

[Ksmirk]

Thanks for the info sir! almost sounds like the RL16 might be a bit fast for the 243 and heavy bullets. I'm in the middle of a 300WM project now and it's being testy for sure! I might be better off to shelf the 243 change until I get the 300 up to speed..... if I would just do things normal maybe it wouldn't be such a pain as there is a mess of info out there for normal stuff! but where would the fun be in normal lol

Kirk

 

[Steve morgan]

I found myself with a pound of RL16 and while I normally load H4831SC I was wondering about this powder with the heavier bullets like 115 DTAC mainly as I also have some of them. I have been shooting the Berger 105's since I put this barrel on the rifle and let's just say curiosity has gotten the best of me. From the searching I have done I've not found much besides some folks are using H4350 data for the RL16 and did find some load data on the Alliant page for the 105's but that's about it.

I guess to the point has anyone played with the RL16 and the 110 or 115gr bullets and can offer a bit of direction for the straight ol' plain Jane 243 Win?

Long story on the short I put together a 243LBC and it has been shooting the 95 and 105's amazing so figure the 243 has a few more cubic inches may as well step it up with the heavier bullets. Thanks for your time fella's!

Kirk

My Cooper Montana varmit likes rl16 & 75 & 87 vmax

 

[urbanrifleman]

It's not a bit fast for 243. 39 grains is a great load with a 108. One of the best loads I found. Unfortunately the Creedmore fan boys keep buying it all. So, I switched to n160 and never looked back.

 

[Ksmirk]

Can’t argue about the needmore guys! I had a decent load with H4350 but that is some magical dust to the Creedmore fellas! reason I ended up with the 4831SC.

I’ll get some loads together and hit the range to see how the RL16 and DTac bullets work figure if I start off about 38gr and work up I’ll find something it likes, this chamber is throated a bit long as it is so it’ll probably take more but hey it should be fun anyway. Thanks for the info!

Kirk

 

[Ksmirk]

Well got out this past weekend to play and was actually surprised a bit! nothing crazy and was letting my little brother drive the rifle (he's a good shot but ya know I'm better lol) several groups under an inch and a few under 1/2". Since there is not much info out there figure I'd post my results..... just remember this chamber is throated a bit longer than you normal SAMMI spec reamer so back off more than you normally would for starting loads, my rifle and my fingers be careful!

Info as follows;
243 Winchester
PPU 243 brass
RL16 powder
GM210M primer
COAL: 3.875"
OGIVE: 2.320"
25" barrel length

39.0 2861fps 17.3sd 31.0es
39.5 2894fps 13.2sd 23.0es
40.0 2935fps 2.6sd 5.0es
40.5 2973fps 7.3sd 14.0es
41.0 3008fps 11.0sd 22.0es
41.5 3037fps 8.1sd 16.0es
42.0 3086fps 12.5sd 25.0es

Doesn't seem my barrel likes to really push things or the bullets don't like to be pushed but I'm fairly happy with the results, have a couple I'm going to mess with a bit more and see if I can get the groups a bit closer but for just starting at -.020" it's a good start I think. Thanks fella's for the information you offered!

Kirk

 

[urbanrifleman]

Well got out this past weekend to play and was actually surprised a bit! nothing crazy and was letting my little brother drive the rifle (he's a good shot but ya know I'm better lol) several groups under an inch and a few under 1/2". Since there is not much info out there figure I'd post my results..... just remember this chamber is throated a bit longer than you normal SAMMI spec reamer so back off more than you normally would for starting loads, my rifle and my fingers be careful!

Info as follows;
243 Winchester
PPU 243 brass
RL16 powder
GM210M primer
COAL: 3.875"
OGIVE: 2.320"
25" barrel length

39.0 2861fps 17.3sd 31.0es
39.5 2894fps 13.2sd 23.0es
40.0 2935fps 2.6sd 5.0es
40.5 2973fps 7.3sd 14.0es
41.0 3008fps 11.0sd 22.0es
41.5 3037fps 8.1sd 16.0es
42.0 3086fps 12.5sd 25.0es

Doesn't seem my barrel likes to really push things or the bullets don't like to be pushed but I'm fairly happy with the results, have a couple I'm going to mess with a bit more and see if I can get the groups a bit closer but for just starting at -.020" it's a good start I think. Thanks fella's for the information you offered!

Kirk

What bullet?

 

[Ksmirk]

It’s at the top of the post but I guess I could have added it was the 115 DTac bullet.... my bad.

Kirk

 

[urbanrifleman]

It’s at the top of the post but I guess I could have added it was the 115 DTac bullet.... my bad.

Kirk

That's pretty crazy. You are two grains over max for a 105...

 

[Ksmirk]

Not crazy at all! you’ll see in the post this is NOT a SAMMI chamber, compare my OAL to what the load book calls..... longer OAL means more room in the case for more powder and the same pressures. You’d fall over if I posted some of my 300WM loads lol

Kirk

 

[Zero333]

Between 40.0 and 40.5 seems like a reasonable mild load. My 243's always shoot better at slower than MAX speeds, thus extending barrel life as a bonus.

If Accuracy is not sufficient with RL-16, you can always relay on the good ol H-4831sc to deliver bugholes. I even use H-4831sc with 80 gr Bergers in one of my 243's.

 

[Ksmirk]

Been shooting H4831SC and 105 Bergers for awhile, nothing too crazy for velocity but good accuracy...... funny story seems my 300WM likes the H4831SC more than the 243 lol

Kirk

 

[L W P]

It’s at the top of the post but I guess I could have added it was the 115 DTac bullet.... my bad.

Kirk

Hey Kirk, are those 115 DACTS 1ST or 2 Second gen bullets ? Second gen have a little more BC's and a different boat tail.

 

[L W P]

Reason for asking is that I just purchased some 2nd gen ( the newest ones ) and I'm going to try them with RL-16 and H-4350. But in Creedmoor, yea I know.

 

[Ksmirk]

Hey Kirk, are those 115 DACTS 1ST or 2 Second gen bullets ? Second gen have a little more BC's and a different boat tail.

These are first gen I'm pretty sure as I've had them for a few years just never got around to loading them.... I went to look and saw they had changed from what I have just my luck BUT at least I have a good idea where to start lol

Kirk