RL16 or RL17 for 30-06

[miningshawn]

I have a competition next weekend with a new 30-06, 100-1200 yards. I have to do a load work up this week with:
185gr Berger Juggernauts
Lapua brass
Starline brass
CCI 200
CCI 250
CCI BR2
I am out (completely!) of 4350. In the cabinet I have 8lbs of RL16, 11 of RL17, 7 of 4831sc, and 5 of H100v.
Rifle is a Mossberg Patriot, 24" bbl. This is for a hunting rifle unmodified class, I plan on switching to the Berger 185gr Classic Hunter for the season.
I would like your input! I also promise to post results by Friday.
1 more thing - weather looks to be 80-90, 20-30 humidity, altitude 6200, A/D in the 8500ish range.
FWIW I am leaning RL17 and 250's.

 

[SBS]

In the Alliant powders, I would use 19, but I see you don't have any. I'd go with H4831 out of the powders you list.

 

[normmatzen]

Be careful! If you were to try RL-16, you may become addicted!
First, it is VERY similar to H4350. I started shooting a 284 WIN long range bench rest with 180 gr ELD-M. and H4831sc. Then I shifted to RL-17 as I had some for my K31. Then changed to RL-16 as its temp characteristics are way better than RL-17.
Now I use RL-16 in both my 7X57 hunting rifle as well as my 284 WIN.
Try it, you'll like it!

 

[Jackal2016]

I think I would try RL-17 or RL-16 as primary options of those. They should yield higher velocities than the other options including RL-19 at 100% case capacity (according to QL using standard default settings). RL-17 and RL-16 showed to be approx 94.7 and 99.3% case fill at 52500 psi with default settings in software with significantly faster muzzle velocities using the 24" barrel for the input. Of course I don't rely on the software as gospel but it is handy to for comparing things when you have more details to enter. While the RL-17 might be a tad faster MV than the RL-16, the 16 might be the better option IMO. Give both a try and see how they work.

 

[std7mag]

For those bullet weights, 4831, or RL19.

 

[miningshawn]

Thabks for the input! I am tempted to try 4831sc in the Starline cases, and do a comparison between 16 and 17 in the Lapua. I am still thinking CCI 250's - I hunt in cold weather. I can't imagine that the 185 Classics will be a hugely different recipe than the Juggernauts.

 

[SEGARE]

R16 for the temp stability.

 

[Kurz]

I am tempted to try 4831sc in the Starline cases, and do a comparison between 16 and 17 in the Lapua. I am still thinking CCI 250's - I hunt in cold weather. I can't imagine that the 185 Classics will be a hugely different recipe than the Juggernauts.

The winner is Re-16 under the 185 Jugs. Balance the load and you can run the Re-17 if you want to. I shoot a lot of Re-17 without having the issues some folks state. I shoot at 6000 also but it can be a little warm if I wait for too late in the day.

Switch to your Hunter bullets but you will need to run some tests to adjust the load slightly for best accuracy.

 

[venatic]

Reloder 16 for sure

 

[Hohn]

RL16 for temp stability, RL17 for speed and less carbon ring.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Be careful! If you were to try RL-16, you may become addicted!
First, it is VERY similar to H4350. I started shooting a 284 WIN long range bench rest with 180 gr ELD-M. and H4831sc. Then I shifted to RL-17 as I had some for my K31. Then changed to RL-16 as its temp characteristics are way better than RL-17.
Now I use RL-16 in both my 7X57 hunting rifle as well as my 284 WIN.
Try it, you'll like it!

Very true. One advantage of 17 is you can get more of it in the case than 16. This became an issue for me in some smaller cases. Checked 17 in Quickload simulation for temp sensitivity and there was a 100 fps velocity variation from 30* to 90*.
17 shoots great in my 257ai though