RL26 Rocks!

[EastTNHunter]

I'd read a lot about the new Alliant powders, so I decided to try RL26 in my 30-06 with 180 Accubonds. To say that I'm impressed is an understatement:

Savage 116 22" barrel
63.5 RL26
CCI200
WW Brass
3.340 OAL
2875fps



Yes, over 2850fps with a 180 in a 22" 30-06.

 

[MUP]

Nice group buddy! So is the RL26 less temp sensitive than the 4350 series of powders?

 

[EastTNHunter]

I don't think Alliant is marketing this line of powders as less temp sensitive, just increased velocity. It has a similar burn rate to RL25, but is denser which allows you to fit enough into the case to be used for some cartridges that it couldn't be used in before because of bulk. You wouldn't be able to fit enough RL25 in a 30-06 case to come close to SAAMI max pressure, and you definitely couldn't get good velocity with it.

 

[280longshot]

Having groups like that sure does make all the hard work worth while. Should be a good elk load or deer for sure.

 

[ronnycl]

nice group..how far u shooting with this group?

 

[EastTNHunter]

100 yards

 

[Bad habit]

That's a pretty good group. Pretty sure I have some reloaded 26. Maybe I should try it for my .30/06's. I figured it was a little too slow to use in anything buy my .300 weatherby. Looks like you gotta good velocity and accuracy so you need to marry that load.

 

[markwondi]

RL26 is an excellent powder, I'm using it in 5 different cartridges right now and plan to use it in my new 30-06 as well.

While most modern bolt actions can handle 65k psi in a 30-06 chambering, and I suspect you're north of 60k, I'd caution you to be careful running that load in warm temps. I have found RL26 to be very "peaky" in warm temps.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Thanks for the input. QL says that it's right around 60k psi, and its predictions were within 30fps in load development, so I'd guess that it's pretty close on pressure too. I'm going to load a few more up and try them out in different conditions to see if I get any anomalies, but I'm really thinking that load will may great elk medicine. I'm going to try 3 different loads out using RL26, RL17, and I4350, with 165 and 180 Accubonds out to 400 yards and see which one holds together the best. If there is no clear winner over distance then I will go with the best ballistic performer, which this one seems to be hands down.

 

[jlanecr500]

In the 4350/rl17 burn rate family you should also try rl16. In our testing it has been very temp stable with a velocity spread of only 30fps from 30 to 90 degrees. I traced it in warm weather and will be tracing it again soon. I have strain gages on .308, 30-06, 300wm, .338wm, and .408 calibers that I will be pressure testing this year.

 

[markwondi]

In the 4350/rl17 burn rate family you should also try rl16. In our testing it has been very temp stable with a velocity spread of only 30fps from 30 to 90 degrees. I traced it in warm weather and will be tracing it again soon. I have strain gages on .308, 30-06, 300wm, .338wm, and .408 calibers that I will be pressure testing this year.

I've also found RL16 to be very temp stable.

However, for 180gr bullets in a 30-06 and the fact that RL16 is not very dense (and even less so than H4350), the OP would most likely not achieve the velocity he's after due to case capacity.

RL22 has long been an excellent powder for the heavies in 30-06 but I haven't found it very temp stable. RL26 is an improvement in both load density and temp stability, so I'm not surprised by the results he has achieved. In temp stability testing, I have found RL26 averages ~0.4-0.6 fps per 1°.

 

[markwondi]

Thanks for the input. QL says that it's right around 60k psi, and its predictions were within 30fps in load development, so I'd guess that it's pretty close on pressure too. I'm going to load a few more up and try them out in different conditions to see if I get any anomalies, but I'm really thinking that load will may great elk medicine. I'm going to try 3 different loads out using RL26, RL17, and I4350, with 165 and 180 Accubonds out to 400 yards and see which one holds together the best. If there is no clear winner over distance then I will go with the best ballistic performer, which this one seems to be hands down.

I'd say the load you posted above would be an excellent Elk killer. For 400 yards and in shots, those 180gr accubonds will work very well and would be my preferred choice on Elk over 165gr.

 

[jlanecr500]

In the 4350/rl17 burn rate family you should also try rl16. In our testing it has been very temp stable with a velocity spread of only 30fps from 30 to 90 degrees. I traced it in warm weather and will be tracing it again soon. I have strain gages on .308, 30-06, 300wm, .338wm, and .408 calibers that I will be pressure testing this year.

I've also found RL16 to be very temp stable.

However, for 180gr bullets in a 30-06 and the fact that RL16 is not very dense (and even less so than H4350), the OP would most likely not achieve the velocity he's after due to case capacity.

RL22 has long been an excellent powder for the heavies in 30-06 but I haven't found it very temp stable. RL26 is an improvement in both load density and temp stability, so I'm not surprised by the results he has achieved. In temp stability testing, I have found RL26 averages ~0.4-0.6 fps per 1°.

Agreed. I offered up rl16 as the op is still considering 4350 burn rate powders. Velocity is no good if you can't get to the next node. Barrel time is ultimately the deciding factor.

BTW that group is good. Try it at 200 yds as boat tails aren't fully stabilized at 100 yards. I do all of my initial load work ups at 200 yrs.

 

[ronnycl]

100 yards

I think you found the sweet spot! Nice group

 

[brass magnet]

Looks like you got that one figured out, next? :tu: