RL22 in the 6.5-284
- Thread starter coupalr
- Start date
Tim North used RL-22 in his 6.5x284 to win a NBRSA National Championship and set National records a few years back -- in his very first match. I believe the load was 50.5 grains.
I used 51 grains of RL-22 and 147 Clinch River bullets in a 6.5x284 Shehane the second half of the 2004 1000 Yd season at Hawks Ridge to win the 10 match HG score agg. with one group in the 4.8xx range.
The burn rate of RL-22 has changed a lot over the years and folks were afraid of getting a hot lot,the lot # was well known but I would have to look it up). It really shot better than anything else we tried at Hawks Ridge but we all pretty much went with H4831SC because it was less temp sensitive. Lots of records have been set with RL-22 in various 6.5s. FYI, the USAMU shoots 4350 in their 6.5x284s as does the Hoover family.
When all is said and done, you are better off shooting H4350 or H4831SC in your 6.5x284. H4350 would probably be your best bet with the lighter bullets. IMHO you could probably end your search for a powder right there,for the lighter bullets) and just work on developing the charge, primer, and seating depth combo.
Good luck,
Jim
I used 51 grains of RL-22 and 147 Clinch River bullets in a 6.5x284 Shehane the second half of the 2004 1000 Yd season at Hawks Ridge to win the 10 match HG score agg. with one group in the 4.8xx range.
The burn rate of RL-22 has changed a lot over the years and folks were afraid of getting a hot lot,the lot # was well known but I would have to look it up). It really shot better than anything else we tried at Hawks Ridge but we all pretty much went with H4831SC because it was less temp sensitive. Lots of records have been set with RL-22 in various 6.5s. FYI, the USAMU shoots 4350 in their 6.5x284s as does the Hoover family.
When all is said and done, you are better off shooting H4350 or H4831SC in your 6.5x284. H4350 would probably be your best bet with the lighter bullets. IMHO you could probably end your search for a powder right there,for the lighter bullets) and just work on developing the charge, primer, and seating depth combo.
Good luck,
Jim
Ive Had good luck using the Re-22 in my Savage 6.5-284. Shooting the 139 Scenar with 52.5gr seems to be the sweet spot in my gun.
I used to us RL-22 with decent results, about 52 gr behind a Scenar 139 and a Winchester primer. It was good for 2950 fps in a 26" barrel,chambered with a very long throat in a standard length action so that loaded rounds could be unloaded without pulling the bolt, fired single shot of course) and delivered ES/SD numbers in the low teens. The only fly in the ointment was it left a very hard to remove greyish fouling towards the muzzle. It performed decently in competition.
Further load developement using H4350 focusing on better resizing technique for better consistantcy in neck tension with H4350 resulted in single digit ES/SD at the same velocity, and better accuracy.
Every barrel since I've stuck with H4350, confirming load date for different lot #s of powder or for new barrels, the new barrels using a different chambering reamer requiring one grain less powder due to a little less freebore.
Never won a match with RL-22, have won with H4350. I think that H4350 is more suited to the shorter barrels I prefer and suspect that RL-22 might be more suited for longer barrels. Given the barrel life of he 6.5 X 284 I'm not given to any additional experimentation at about $450 for a new barrel and chambering job.
Further load developement using H4350 focusing on better resizing technique for better consistantcy in neck tension with H4350 resulted in single digit ES/SD at the same velocity, and better accuracy.
Every barrel since I've stuck with H4350, confirming load date for different lot #s of powder or for new barrels, the new barrels using a different chambering reamer requiring one grain less powder due to a little less freebore.
Never won a match with RL-22, have won with H4350. I think that H4350 is more suited to the shorter barrels I prefer and suspect that RL-22 might be more suited for longer barrels. Given the barrel life of he 6.5 X 284 I'm not given to any additional experimentation at about $450 for a new barrel and chambering job.
My gun is the Savage F-Class 6.5-284. From what I can tell the barrel is very slow for a 30" tube. 52.5gr re-22 gets me to 2925fps. I just left it there as that load shoots good. I never could get the 4831sc to 2900 with out pressure signs.
I have the same gun . I read someone on one of these forms was having great results with Rl #17 .So I tried it ,it’s the best grouping powder I have shot in this gun .Berger 140,Eld m .370 three shot groups Eld m .275 Berger’s.2950 is we’re I settled
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