Reloader 16

[Addicting]

I did some testing yesterday in my creedmoor with RL16, 140 Accubonds, and CCI primers and found one really nice node with very little SD over .6 grains.

However, every time I shot I got a faint blue puff of smoke very similar to using a Muzzleloader. When I cleaned it after 45 rounds of testing it had a heavy coal black soot in the barrel with little to no copper showing up on the patch. I’ve never noticed this before with factory ammo. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Thanks Tony

 

[Fire_9]

It’s probaby just a real dirty burning powder. Some burn cleaner than others. I’ve shot a fair amount of reloader 15 and its the same way.

 

[VikingsGuy]

Have you tried Varget or H4350? They are both supposed to be clean burning and temp stable.

 

[Addicting]

I hadn’t yet. IMR 4350 is supposed to be the top but seems very hard to find.

 

[Deleted member 22670]

I hadn’t yet. IMR 4350 is supposed to be the top but seems very hard to find.

It is right now, I couldn't find it locally. You can get it online though. If you place a big enough order you can get the hazmat shipping for free. Natchez has it right now.

 

[tjones]

H4350 is the go to powder for the 6.5 man bun.

 

[marksjeep]

RL16 has a de-coppering additive. Many powders with de-coppering additives are sooty.

 

[Addicting]

I read a test between the 4350 and RL16 and in the end the shooter stayed with the 4350. However, the RL16 did it all with extra FPS but didn’t group quite as well. It was in stock when I needed it so I bought 3lbs of it to try. What surprised me was that it isn’t listed in many of the reloading manuals or online. The only printed load data was on Speers site.

That decoppering agent makes sense with what I’m seeing. Thanks

 

[marksjeep]

RL16 is a pretty new powder, only a year or two on the market. Probably not a ton of published data for it yet.

 

[Addicting]

Besides my major flinch, I was able to find one charge weight that did well. That’s a 1” square 4 shot group. Got some more testing to do but I can’t imagine asking for more out of a light weight hunting rifle.

 

[belly-deep]

RL16 has a de-coppering additive. Many powders with de-coppering additives are sooty.

This