RL Powders?

roy reali · October 14, 2009, 06:37 AM

I have never used an RL powder in any of my reloading. Not on purpose, but I just haven't. I use Hodgdon most of the time.

Looking at my reloading manuals I see that certain RL powders might work well for some of the cartridges I reload for. However, with the cost of powder, I'd hate to buy a can of it and have just sit on my shelf gathering dust.

I want to hear from RL powder users. Do you like them? What applicaions do you use them for? How do RL powders compare to other brands?

rwilson452 · October 14, 2009, 06:43 AM

I use RL 15 for my 30-06. It gave me the best accuracy using a Sierra 150gr spitzer. For my 22-250 I wound up with H380. I haven't done a complete finding on my 243 yet, it's new.

As always YMMV.

QBall45 · October 14, 2009, 07:39 AM

Íve had excellent results using RL15 for 223. Very accurate. I've also tried RL7 & RL10x. Both of these look promising. I haven't finished my load work up with these 2 yet.

Blue Grass · October 14, 2009, 10:30 AM

I use Rl-15 for .30-06 and .243 when I can find it. It and IMR-4064 are my two favorite powders. Burns clean and very accurate.

edward5759 · October 14, 2009, 10:45 AM

If you get a few friends to buy diffrent powers, then you will have more to select from.
if I have a powder I don't use I make it avalible to friends, and in return I get to try some of the powders the dont use. network.

Ed

TheNatureBoy · October 14, 2009, 12:30 PM

I've used RL-19 and 22 for the past year when reloading for my .280 and 7mm rem mag and have been very happy, especially when using 22 with my 7mm rem mag. Gonna check out some other RL powders in the upcoming months.

zxcvbob · October 14, 2009, 12:42 PM

I bought 2.2 pounds of RL-12 a couple of years ago. I intend to use if for M1 Garand .30-06 loads, but when I run out I won't be able to get any more so I'm not going to waste a whole lot of effort optimizing the loads. (it's supposed to be a really good powder)

Farmland · October 14, 2009, 12:44 PM

I like RL powder very much. I use RL 15 for my 30-06 and 25-06 only. I use RL 7 for my 223.

RL 15 is dead on with my 25-06 using Nosler 86 grain ballistic tip boat tails.

The powder works real well with both my Dillon powder measure and my RCBS powder measure.

rwilson452 · October 14, 2009, 02:12 PM

IMR 4895 is called the "goto" powder for the Garand. You might want to try RL 15 when your RL22 runs dry.

Quote:

I bought 2.2 pounds of RL-12 a couple of years ago. I intend to use if for M1 Garand .30-06 loads, but when I run out I won't be able to get any more so I'm not going to waste a whole lot of effort optimizing the loads. (it's supposed to be a really good powder)
__________________
"They're coming to get you Barbara..." —Johnny

crimsondave · October 14, 2009, 02:31 PM

I believe the higher the number on the RL powder, the slower the burn rate. I have used most of them. RL #7 is a good 45-70 load. They say it is good in varmit load, but I never liked it in .223, but I only shoot out of an AR. RL 15 is great for mid weight 30-06. 15 is among the most popular 06 powders. I've used it in .375 H&H with mixed results (good on 260 gr Nosler.) I've tried RL 19 and RL 22 in 300 H&H calibers with mediocre results.

crimsondave · October 14, 2009, 02:34 PM

"Íve had excellent results using RL15 for 223. Very accurate. I've also tried RL7 & RL10x. Both of these look promising. I haven't finished my load work up with these 2 yet."

Really? I never thought to try that powder in .223. What bullet weight, and were you firing out of an AR?

J A · October 14, 2009, 04:02 PM

RL 15 in my 243. Works great.

zxcvbob · October 14, 2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

IMR 4895 is called the "goto" powder for the Garand. You might want to try RL 15 when your RL22 [RL12] runs dry.

I have a pound of AA2495. And 8# of AA2520 that I bought on sale real cheap. But it'll take me a while to really get started reloading .30-06 seriously because I have over a thousand rounds of Greek milsurp ammo, a can of Korean milsurp, and I mostly shoot pistols anyway. :-)

Tomas204 · October 14, 2009, 04:33 PM

I like RL powders I use 7 for my 45-70 and my 405 ,I like the 19 for my 270`s yes I have 3 and for my sons 7mm-08 and 15 for my 257 weartherby they are great powders

Kawabuggy · October 14, 2009, 04:52 PM

I too love RL-22! I use it in my 25-06, 270, 7MM Magnum, & 30-06. It performs really well in those calibers. I tend to reserve it's use in long action calibers. For short actions I like Varget. If I were limited to only 2 powders for all rifles I load for, these would be the 2 that would not only allow me to survive, but prosper!

The only issue I've ever experienced with RL-22 is that on a fairly hot load in my 25-06, when shooting a string of rounds at the shooting range, is that if I left a round in the hot chamber for a minute or so before firing, that round would experience sticky extraction. If I weren't right at max it may not have done this, but it proves that this powder is heat sensitive under the right circumstances. That has not stopped me from using it though. It has proven very accurate in all of my rifles.

Farmland · October 14, 2009, 07:34 PM

RL 7 really shines in the lower grain 223 bullets. RL 15 shines in heavier bullets in the 223. The change over to RL 15 is at around the 69 grain bullet.

My personal load for the 223 is a Sierra 55 FMJBT with RL 7 at 20.5 grains with an OAL of 2.250

GeauxTide · October 14, 2009, 09:01 PM

I just got some 15 to try in my .308. I've used 19 extensively in my 280 and 6.5-06. Outstanding.

ronl · October 14, 2009, 09:13 PM

I've used RL 15 in my .308 with good results, especially the 155 A max's.

Nomo4me · October 14, 2009, 09:31 PM

My gunshop reloading specialist tried to send me home with a can of RL-15 for my use with my .204 Ruger today with 32 & 40 gr.
He said it was quite sooty so I didn't buy it. Sounds like I made the right choice based on comments here.

A_Gamehog · October 18, 2009, 08:27 AM

Speer, CCi, Alliance all fall under the same ownership. That said

I like R-7, R-10, R-15 for the .223
I like the R-10, R-15 for the 22-250
I like R-25 for the 300 WBY and 180's (I use sierra's listed hunting load)

the 22 cal ,75 grain Hornady HP Match is a toss up between Varget and R-15 as far as accuracy. Each powder has a tweak or two for your gun if you figure it out. The velocity listed in books really is what you get from loads. Very consistent from load to load and predictable. Manufacture date and Lot numbers are printed on the bottles for your reference. I actually got 2 week old powder in feb of this year, as an indicator for no supply in the pipelines.

Edward429451 · October 18, 2009, 09:04 AM

I have outstanding results with RL7 in my 45/70

It is my goto powder for 45/70 because it works well with all bullet weights.

roy reali · October 18, 2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

It is my goto powder for 45/70 because it works well with all bullet weights.

How does it compare to Varget in the .45-70? That is what I have been using for a few years now. I get results. However, if someone has tried both these powders in the .45-70. does one seem to work better?

QBall45 · October 18, 2009, 07:21 PM

Crimsondave,
I load almost exclusivily 55gr bullets for my AR of one varity or another. I've done a small amout of work with 62gr TSX.

preventec47 · January 5, 2010, 08:13 PM

RL-17 is supposed to be the new magical new technology powder
according to the BenchRest boys. over 100 fps higher
velocities then they have ever seen before.
IT has a great fit with 7mm rem mag and also 25-06
( which are nearly identical in their case capacity to ore volume
ratio) and many others I am sure. According to Alliant,
the new RL-17 has the highest velocities in those calibers
and have displaced the RL-19 and RL-22 for those calibers
in the lighter weight bullets.
If anyone has been using RL-19 or RL-22 for anything,
you ought to look at Alliants new load data for the RL-17.
I bet you will be surprised.

gman3 · January 7, 2010, 08:56 PM

The most accurate loads that I have shot to date with my .308 have been with RL 15. I have been wanting to try some in my .30-06 but have not made the time to do so as of yet since I dont shoot it that much anymore.

October 14, 2009, 06:37 AM	#1
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	RL Powders? I have never used an RL powder in any of my reloading. Not on purpose, but I just haven't. I use Hodgdon most of the time. Looking at my reloading manuals I see that certain RL powders might work well for some of the cartridges I reload for. However, with the cost of powder, I'd hate to buy a can of it and have just sit on my shelf gathering dust. I want to hear from RL powder users. Do you like them? What applicaions do you use them for? How do RL powders compare to other brands?

October 14, 2009, 06:43 AM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	I use RL 15 for my 30-06. It gave me the best accuracy using a Sierra 150gr spitzer. For my 22-250 I wound up with H380. I haven't done a complete finding on my 243 yet, it's new. As always YMMV. __________________ USNRET '61-'81

October 14, 2009, 10:45 AM	#5
edward5759 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ. 30 miles from water, two feet from Hell. Posts: 355	sit on the shelf? If you get a few friends to buy diffrent powers, then you will have more to select from. if I have a powder I don't use I make it avalible to friends, and in return I get to try some of the powders the dont use. network. Ed

October 14, 2009, 04:02 PM	#12
J A Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: The Hawkeye State Posts: 191	RL 15 RL 15 in my 243. Works great.

October 18, 2009, 08:27 AM	#20
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	I like the powders Speer, CCi, Alliance all fall under the same ownership. That said I like R-7, R-10, R-15 for the .223 I like the R-10, R-15 for the 22-250 I like R-25 for the 300 WBY and 180's (I use sierra's listed hunting load) the 22 cal ,75 grain Hornady HP Match is a toss up between Varget and R-15 as far as accuracy. Each powder has a tweak or two for your gun if you figure it out. The velocity listed in books really is what you get from loads. Very consistent from load to load and predictable. Manufacture date and Lot numbers are printed on the bottles for your reference. I actually got 2 week old powder in feb of this year, as an indicator for no supply in the pipelines. __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course"

October 14, 2009, 07:39 AM	#3
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	Íve had excellent results using RL15 for 223. Very accurate. I've also tried RL7 & RL10x. Both of these look promising. I haven't finished my load work up with these 2 yet.

October 14, 2009, 10:30 AM	#4
Blue Grass Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Posts: 398	I use Rl-15 for .30-06 and .243 when I can find it. It and IMR-4064 are my two favorite powders. Burns clean and very accurate.

October 14, 2009, 12:30 PM	#6
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I've used RL-19 and 22 for the past year when reloading for my .280 and 7mm rem mag and have been very happy, especially when using 22 with my 7mm rem mag. Gonna check out some other RL powders in the upcoming months.

October 14, 2009, 12:42 PM	#7
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I bought 2.2 pounds of RL-12 a couple of years ago. I intend to use if for M1 Garand .30-06 loads, but when I run out I won't be able to get any more so I'm not going to waste a whole lot of effort optimizing the loads. (it's supposed to be a really good powder) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

October 14, 2009, 12:44 PM	#8
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	I like RL powder very much. I use RL 15 for my 30-06 and 25-06 only. I use RL 7 for my 223. RL 15 is dead on with my 25-06 using Nosler 86 grain ballistic tip boat tails. The powder works real well with both my Dillon powder measure and my RCBS powder measure.

October 14, 2009, 02:31 PM	#10
crimsondave Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2009 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 490	I believe the higher the number on the RL powder, the slower the burn rate. I have used most of them. RL #7 is a good 45-70 load. They say it is good in varmit load, but I never liked it in .223, but I only shoot out of an AR. RL 15 is great for mid weight 30-06. 15 is among the most popular 06 powders. I've used it in .375 H&H with mixed results (good on 260 gr Nosler.) I've tried RL 19 and RL 22 in 300 H&H calibers with mediocre results.

October 14, 2009, 02:34 PM	#11
crimsondave Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2009 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 490	"Íve had excellent results using RL15 for 223. Very accurate. I've also tried RL7 & RL10x. Both of these look promising. I haven't finished my load work up with these 2 yet." Really? I never thought to try that powder in .223. What bullet weight, and were you firing out of an AR?

October 14, 2009, 04:33 PM	#14
Tomas204 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 144	I like RL powders I use 7 for my 45-70 and my 405 ,I like the 19 for my 270`s yes I have 3 and for my sons 7mm-08 and 15 for my 257 weartherby they are great powders

October 14, 2009, 04:52 PM	#15
Kawabuggy Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 224	I too love RL-22! I use it in my 25-06, 270, 7MM Magnum, & 30-06. It performs really well in those calibers. I tend to reserve it's use in long action calibers. For short actions I like Varget. If I were limited to only 2 powders for all rifles I load for, these would be the 2 that would not only allow me to survive, but prosper! The only issue I've ever experienced with RL-22 is that on a fairly hot load in my 25-06, when shooting a string of rounds at the shooting range, is that if I left a round in the hot chamber for a minute or so before firing, that round would experience sticky extraction. If I weren't right at max it may not have done this, but it proves that this powder is heat sensitive under the right circumstances. That has not stopped me from using it though. It has proven very accurate in all of my rifles.

October 14, 2009, 07:34 PM	#16
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	RL 7 really shines in the lower grain 223 bullets. RL 15 shines in heavier bullets in the 223. The change over to RL 15 is at around the 69 grain bullet. My personal load for the 223 is a Sierra 55 FMJBT with RL 7 at 20.5 grains with an OAL of 2.250

October 14, 2009, 09:01 PM	#17
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,425	I just got some 15 to try in my .308. I've used 19 extensively in my 280 and 6.5-06. Outstanding.

October 14, 2009, 09:13 PM	#18
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	I've used RL 15 in my .308 with good results, especially the 155 A max's.

October 14, 2009, 09:31 PM	#19
Nomo4me Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 58	My gunshop reloading specialist tried to send me home with a can of RL-15 for my use with my .204 Ruger today with 32 & 40 gr. He said it was quite sooty so I didn't buy it. Sounds like I made the right choice based on comments here.

October 18, 2009, 09:04 AM	#21
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I have outstanding results with RL7 in my 45/70 It is my goto powder for 45/70 because it works well with all bullet weights.

October 18, 2009, 07:21 PM	#23
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	Crimsondave, I load almost exclusivily 55gr bullets for my AR of one varity or another. I've done a small amout of work with 62gr TSX.

January 5, 2010, 08:13 PM	#24
preventec47 Junior member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Posts: 104	RL-17 is supposed to be the new magical new technology powder according to the BenchRest boys. over 100 fps higher velocities then they have ever seen before. IT has a great fit with 7mm rem mag and also 25-06 ( which are nearly identical in their case capacity to ore volume ratio) and many others I am sure. According to Alliant, the new RL-17 has the highest velocities in those calibers and have displaced the RL-19 and RL-22 for those calibers in the lighter weight bullets. If anyone has been using RL-19 or RL-22 for anything, you ought to look at Alliants new load data for the RL-17. I bet you will be surprised. Last edited by preventec47; January 6, 2010 at 09:56 AM.

January 7, 2010, 08:56 PM	#25
gman3 Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Posts: 408	I like them The most accurate loads that I have shot to date with my .308 have been with RL 15. I have been wanting to try some in my .30-06 but have not made the time to do so as of yet since I dont shoot it that much anymore.