RL23 and RL26 in 30-06

E

EastTNHunter

Beginner
May 10, 2017
144
3
I’m not seeing any published recipes from Alliant or Nosler on their websites. Anybody have any experience with them in the 30-06? I know that many swear by RL22 in the 30-06, but RL23 is supposed to be a similar burn rate with better temperature stability.
 
I've never seen a company list to different loads with different brand of cases before (see H4350 with the 200 grain Speer).
 
I saw the Speer stuff last night, and I appreciate the link. I’m hoping that I can get around 2850fps with a 180gr AccuBond. I’m already getting around 2750fps using I4350, but I’m always tinkering and looking for the next great thing.
 
If it’s not too much to ask, could someone run a quick load for a 180 AccuBond (I have a bunch on hand already) and RL23 using Winchester brass and CCI200 for my Savage 116 22”? I have procured a pound to try, but those Speer numbers look a little different than what I’m used to getting with some of the powders that I’ve used before.
 
You won't need to worry about too much before reaching maximum charge, if these projections are correct.

Code: 
Cartridge          : .30-06 Spring.  (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 180, Nosler AccuBond 54825
Useable Case Capaci: 58.408 grain H2O = 3.792 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-23

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0  104    54.90   2495    2487   40587   9930     97.7    1.303
-09.0  105    55.51   2525    2549   42085  10027     98.1    1.281
-08.0  107    56.12   2556    2611   43654  10119     98.5    1.259
-07.0  108    56.73   2587    2674   45285  10204     98.8    1.238
-06.0  109    57.34   2617    2738   46987  10283     99.1    1.217
-05.0  110    57.95   2648    2802   48764  10356     99.3    1.196
-04.0  111    58.56   2678    2867   50619  10422     99.6    1.176
-03.0  112    59.17   2709    2933   52557  10480     99.7    1.156  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  114    59.78   2739    2999   54579  10532     99.9    1.136  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  115    60.39   2770    3066   56697  10576     99.9    1.117  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  116    61.00   2800    3134   58909  10612    100.0    1.098  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  117    61.61   2830    3202   61226  10642    100.0    1.080  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  118    62.22   2860    3270   63652  10668    100.0    1.061  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  119    62.83   2890    3339   66195  10693    100.0    1.043  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  120    63.44   2920    3409   68860  10717    100.0    1.026  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  122    64.05   2950    3479   71658  10740    100.0    1.009  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    116    61.00   2928    3426   73513  10107    100.0    1.009  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    116    61.00   2606    2715   46825  10695     96.0    1.215

ReLoder 23 doesn't appear to fit the criteria selected to meet charge specifications.

Code: 
Cartridge          : .30-06 Spring.  (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 180, Nosler AccuBond 54825
Useable Case Capaci: 58.408 grain H2O = 3.792 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 59250 psi, or 408 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

5 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26                 110.3     63.8     4.14    2875    99.7    59250   11829   1.087  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                          110.8     62.2     4.03    2835    97.8    59250   11667   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60                  100.4     56.7     3.68    2827   100.0    59250   10561   1.087  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17                  99.5     56.2     3.64    2807   100.0    59250   10502   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            99.5     56.2     3.64    2807   100.0    59250   10502   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70                  106.5     61.1     3.96    2807    98.1    59250   11294   1.088  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                    112.0     61.6     3.99    2800    94.0    58684   11566   1.098  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       106.9     57.3     3.71    2787   100.0    59250   10032   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16                 106.6     55.9     3.62    2786   100.0    59250   10381   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       112.0     61.0     3.95    2779    96.1    57820   11262   1.108  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                 112.0     61.0     3.95    2779    96.1    57820   11262   1.108  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                       112.0     61.0     3.95    2779    96.1    57820   11262   1.108  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                  103.2     58.2     3.77    2778    99.5    59250   10571   1.111  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       110.1     60.9     3.95    2778    94.3    59250   11164   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    112.0     64.1     4.15    2774    91.8    57815   11473   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                105.1     58.4     3.79    2767    98.4    59250   10681   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                100.9     57.9     3.75    2767    98.6    59250   10634   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     104.2     58.0     3.76    2765    98.6    59250   10619   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        110.9     60.3     3.91    2761    94.1    59250   11023   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      98.4     56.0     3.63    2757    97.9    59250   10574   1.107  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        98.4     56.0     3.63    2757    97.9    59250   10574   1.107  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     111.5     65.4     4.24    2755    96.5    59250   10779   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                 108.7     58.5     3.79    2754    96.2    59250   10730   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP                          103.8     55.3     3.58    2752    99.6    59250   10269   1.110  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation         103.8     55.3     3.58    2751    99.6    59250   10266   1.110  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                      103.2     55.6     3.60    2751    99.6    59250   10269   1.125  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550                    100.7     55.4     3.59    2750    99.5    59250   10382   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         109.4     58.9     3.82    2747    96.2    59250   10645   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        107.7     57.7     3.74    2746    96.0    59250   10616   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           108.9     56.2     3.64    2736    99.7    59250   10062   1.119  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204                          102.9     57.2     3.71    2728    95.9    59250   10406   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        106.3     57.2     3.71    2728    95.9    59250   10406   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          106.3     57.2     3.71    2728    95.9    59250   10406   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       109.1     59.4     3.85    2725    97.2    59250   10339   1.118  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                106.6     55.5     3.60    2722   100.0    59250    9494   1.108  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation       103.8     56.7     3.68    2714    97.6    59250   10154   1.114  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                   109.5     59.6     3.86    2712    93.5    59250   10358   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      112.0     59.8     3.88    2707    93.2    55990   10674   1.128  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                          96.0     52.3     3.39    2706   100.0    59250    9548   1.133  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                       96.0     52.3     3.39    2706   100.0    59250    9548   1.133  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             106.9     60.7     3.93    2704    95.9    59250   10131   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        95.4     52.5     3.40    2702    99.4    59250    9840   1.125  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  112.0     64.4     4.17    2702    93.2    54333   11095   1.134  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      112.0     60.3     3.91    2701    98.3    57445   10140   1.141  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                       98.2     52.3     3.39    2700   100.0    59250    9473   1.133  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                 112.0     59.0     3.82    2700    99.7    51986   10464   1.162  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                         102.9     54.8     3.55    2699    98.0    59250   10005   1.126  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                112.0     64.4     4.17    2696    93.0    54029   11083   1.137  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        112.0     59.6     3.87    2694    94.6    52459   10968   1.158  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     112.0     59.6     3.87    2694    94.6    52459   10968   1.158  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                        98.1     51.7     3.35    2694   100.0    59250    9465   1.129  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                      106.8     56.7     3.67    2692    94.7    59250   10049   1.108  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron                   110.4     57.8     3.75    2681    94.0    59250   10041   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                         101.5     53.5     3.46    2680    98.8    59250    9683   1.127  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.6                        91.0     50.5     3.27    2677   100.0    59250    8944   1.137  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                       95.7     50.4     3.27    2674   100.0    59250    8936   1.155  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                         100.1     52.9     3.43    2672    97.3    59250    9746   1.124  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                      100.1     52.9     3.43    2672    97.3    59250    9746   1.124  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        96.9     52.9     3.43    2672    97.3    59250    9739   1.124  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                      112.0     58.6     3.80    2661    92.6    55739   10175   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                       105.6     60.5     3.92    2658    93.6    59250    9787   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495                       90.0     47.4     3.07    2650   100.0    59250    8578   1.162  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation       112.0     61.5     3.98    2650    90.0    54791   10404   1.138  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           112.0     58.6     3.80    2650    92.0    51269   10695   1.165  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        112.0     62.6     4.06    2650    92.2    53947   10537   1.141  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                    112.0     59.6     3.87    2637    95.7    54338    9833   1.150  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                 112.0     60.0     3.89    2631    97.0    47377   10892   1.206
Vihtavuori N160                    112.0     57.8     3.75    2625    93.7    55638    9675   1.141  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         112.0     57.0     3.70    2531    96.1    46288    9691   1.259
Norma MRP 2                        112.0     60.3     3.91    2526    89.6    42337   10631   1.277
Bofors RP30                        112.0     60.3     3.91    2526    89.6    42337   10631   1.277
IMR 7977 Enduron                   112.0     59.6     3.87    2523    83.3    54863    8957   1.158  ! Near Maximum !
 
Thank you. That RL23 information is closer to what I expected to see. I’ll stay below 62gr and hope to get close to 2850ish fps, maybe just a fuzz under. I hope it’s accurate, because my IMR4350 load is crazy accurate but I hope for a little more speed.
 
Sorry DrMike, but I’m trying to understand the second part. I originally misread it to be about RL26. Could you expound?
 
I think he means it looks like you are going to run out of case capacity before you get near 62 grains. I've never seen RL powder before, so possible that it's denser (weighs more per material amount) and so more grains will fit in a 30-06 case. Donno. At 62 grains you are above 117% fill.
 
Yeah, the most I've ever been able to fit into a cartridge is about 114% of case fill. I would think you're going to have trouble getting a maximum charge in the case if you plan to seat a bullet.
 
I see that now... I’m not used to looking at the QL listing. That’s surprising because RL22 is supposed to be good for that application and those two powders are supposed to be very similar.

What about running the same specs with RL26?
 
Code: 
Cartridge          : .30-06 Spring.  (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 180, Nosler AccuBond 54825
Useable Case Capaci: 58.408 grain H2O = 3.792 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   99    57.42   2523    2545   39678  10868     95.4    1.312
-09.0  100    58.06   2558    2615   41232  11000     96.1    1.288
-08.0  101    58.70   2593    2687   42858  11125     96.6    1.264
-07.0  103    59.33   2627    2759   44561  11243     97.2    1.241
-06.0  104    59.97   2662    2833   46346  11352     97.7    1.218
-05.0  105    60.61   2697    2908   48199  11453     98.1    1.196
-04.0  106    61.25   2732    2984   50177  11546     98.5    1.174
-03.0  107    61.89   2767    3061   52236  11630     98.9    1.152  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  108    62.52   2802    3139   54396  11704     99.2    1.131  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  109    63.16   2837    3217   56671  11770     99.4    1.110  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  110    63.80   2872    3297   59060  11825     99.6    1.089  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  111    64.44   2907    3378   61574  11870     99.8    1.069  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  112    65.08   2942    3460   64226  11906     99.9    1.049  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  114    65.71   2977    3542   67018  11930    100.0    1.029  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  115    66.35   3012    3625   69966  11944    100.0    1.010  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  116    66.99   3046    3709   73080  11953    100.0    0.991  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    110    63.80   3033    3678   74934  11211    100.0    0.991  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    110    63.80   2633    2771   46345  11605     93.1    1.217
 
Wow! Thank you. Surprised at the lower density and powder fill. I’ll have to see if I can find some...
 
RL26 is a pretty dense powder. That's why it works in places where no one would have previously thought such a slow-burner would work. I've never used RL23, but it's supposedly bulkier. Even though they are close in burn rate, 61 grains of RL22 is a rumored "good load" in the '06, while 61 grains of RL23 would apparently not fit.

RL26 is to RL17 as RL23 is to RL16. 23 and 16 are from their most temperature stable line and end up being bulkier, while 26 is the same dense, high-energy type of powder as 17.
 
Good to know. RL17 has been good to me with 165s, but my rifle doesn’t care for it with 180s. I thought that RL23 and 26 were both of the same “series” of temperature stable powder. I’m going to try to trade off the 23 and give the 26 a try, as it seems like it will give me what I’m after with the 180s
 
My rifle didn't like 180's with anything when I tried in the past. It does like 200's with RL17, though.

I've never seen a Quickload, or any load data for that matter, but I'd think RL16 should be damn good in a 30-06, too. It's supposed to be very temp stable, similar in burn rate to 4350, and higher energy(double based?) but maybe not quite to the extent that 17 and 26 are... Or at least it gives very good velocity in the applications where I have seen it used. In fact, if I find some RL16, I'm gonna give it a go myself. RL26 looks like it would take a lot of powder, and I'd rather burn 55ish grains in a 30-06 than nearly 65...
 
A tad slower before you max out on chamber pressure. However, it will definitely work.

Code: 
Cartridge          : .30-06 Spring.  (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 180, Nosler AccuBond 54825
Useable Case Capaci: 58.408 grain H2O = 3.792 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-16

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   96    50.31   2509    2517   42129   9692     98.0    1.287
-09.0   97    50.87   2537    2573   43570   9783     98.3    1.267
-08.0   98    51.43   2565    2630   45071   9869     98.6    1.247
-07.0   99    51.99   2593    2688   46623   9951     98.9    1.228
-06.0  100    52.55   2621    2746   48233  10028     99.1    1.209
-05.0  101    53.11   2649    2804   49903  10100     99.3    1.191
-04.0  102    53.66   2676    2863   51636  10166     99.5    1.173  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  103    54.22   2704    2922   53433  10228     99.7    1.155  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  104    54.78   2731    2981   55301  10284     99.8    1.137  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  106    55.34   2759    3041   57240  10335     99.9    1.120  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  107    55.90   2786    3102   59254  10380    100.0    1.103  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  108    56.46   2813    3162   61344  10420    100.0    1.087  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  109    57.02   2840    3223   63520  10455    100.0    1.070  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  110    57.58   2867    3285   65778  10487    100.0    1.054  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  111    58.14   2893    3346   68115  10518    100.0    1.039  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  112    58.70   2920    3408   70536  10549    100.0    1.023  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    107    55.90   2900    3362   72673   9903    100.0    1.020  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    107    55.90   2614    2732   47209  10475     96.3    1.214
 
That's some good information about RL 23 loading density being not as good as RL 26. I'll make sure to only get RL 26 given the choice.
 
Don't totally discount RL23. It has the same "technology" as AR Comp and RL16, which so far look to be really temperature stable. I'd place a small wager that in general, RL23 and RL16 are probably a little more resistant to temperature effects than 26 and 17 in most appropriate applications. And I'm sure there are some applications where the bulkier powder won't be a hindrance, and could in fact be potentially helpful.
 
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