RL25 w/ 85-87g bullets in 243Win

mehavey · October 24, 2011, 06:31 PM

I just ran a propellant table for a mid-80s grain projo out of a 24" barreled 243Win running at 55,000psi ...and QuickLoad spit out RL-25 as the no-kidding-cat's meow for performance & clean burn.

That floored me as I regarded RL25 as waaaay too slow for that.

Before I load up a ladder for next weekend, has anyone else used RL25 under anything but 105(+)grain bullets?

mrawesome22 · October 25, 2011, 12:31 AM

Nope.

My QL suggests it would give about 200fps slower results than some faster powders.

Super safe pressure for sure, but sub-par velocity.

PawPaw · October 25, 2011, 05:16 AM

I like Reloder 22 in the .243, but then I don't have Quickload and I generally run 100 grain bullets in that caliber.

mehavey · October 25, 2011, 05:35 AM

Here's what QL spit out:

Cartridge: .243 Win.
Bullet: .243, 87, Hornady V-MAX 22440
Cartridge O.A.L: 2.732 inch
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch
Case Volume 55.1gr H2O (My RP Cases from some time ago)
Matching Maximum Pressure: 55000 psi

Just the top dozen or so... sorted on velocity
Note RL25's position in the mix:

Code:

POWDER	        Wt(gr)	Fill%	Velfps	PmaxPsi	Burn%)	BT (ms)	PmuzPsi
Vihtavuori N570	55.2	111.0	3,252	55,000	91.6	1.1434	12,962
Hodgdon Retumbo	54.4	115.0	3,247	55,000	99.2	1.1383	12,218
Norma MRP	49.3	100.0	3,242	55,000	98.7	1.1458	12,042
Reloder-25	50.6	108.0	3,242	55,000	99.8	1.1385	11,707
Reloder-50	60.4	118.0	3,238	55,000	91.7	1.1605	13,011
Norma MRP 2	52.1	110.0	3,233	55,000	96.9	1.1498	12,191
Hodgdon H870	57.3	118.0	3,229	55,000	93.9	1.1471	12,632
Vihtavuori N560	49.0	102.0	3,225	55,000	95.6	1.1420	12,104
RmSht(Big Boy)	52.6	104.0	3,213	55,000	96.7	1.1384	11,925
PB Clrmt PCL517	52.7	105.0	3,212	55,000	96.7	1.1385	11,914
Vectan SP 12	52.6	104.0	3,212	55,000	96.8	1.1387	11,901
IMR 7828 SSC	48.6	100.0	3,211	55,000	96.0	1.1329	11,760
IMR 7828	48.6	106.0	3,211	55,000	96.0	1.1329	11,760
Raufoss RA15	48.6	102.0	3,207	55,000	97.5	1.1470	11,758
Reloder-22	48.6	102.0	3,207	55,000	97.5	1.1470	11,758
Bofors RP5/NP	48.6	102.0	3,207	55,000	97.5	1.1470	11,758
Accurate MAGPRO	51.2	102.0	3,206	55,000	94.0	1.1509	12,064
Winchester WXR	48.8	105.0	3,205	55,000	97.4	1.1479	11,754

And here also are the RL25 Burn specs I have in the library.
Are there significant differences/updates in them for better
prediction out there?

mrawesome22 · October 25, 2011, 12:19 PM

Mine is v3.2. The problem is the fill. I doubt you could get 50gr stuffed into the case.

dunerjeff · October 25, 2011, 12:27 PM

I don't think quikload can predict what the pressures will be when powders start getting compressed.

mehavey · October 25, 2011, 12:36 PM

Actually, I have discovered that a "106%" fill in QuickLoad is an exact case fill with no compression
(when vibrated down). But I will recheck tonight using the actual powder.

My other fascination was w/ the (99.8%) calculated Burn Completion for RL25. So if someone has
better/revised Energy density/burn rates, progressivity, factors, etc, I'd appreciate it.

old roper · October 25, 2011, 03:40 PM

I've never used QL but the last powder I want to use in my 243 or 243AI would be R-25 with 80 to 90gr bullets.

Scorch · October 25, 2011, 04:19 PM

My favorite powder for my 243 was H450. It is/was about as fast as Reloder 19. I try to avoid stick powders. Can't say if Reloder 25 would be, but I am sure Reloder 19 would be a good choice.

castnblast · November 6, 2011, 08:27 AM

Any data on RL 17 or hodgdon Hybrid V 100? I'm getting some really impressive velocity out of the v100 on a 43.5 gr charge weight and have some test loads ready to go using speeer 85gr BTSP's. Data from spear shows 3300 and some change with that load

October 24, 2011, 06:31 PM	#1
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	RL25 w/ 85-87g bullets in 243Win I just ran a propellant table for a mid-80s grain projo out of a 24" barreled 243Win running at 55,000psi ...and QuickLoad spit out RL-25 as the no-kidding-cat's meow for performance & clean burn. That floored me as I regarded RL25 as waaaay too slow for that. Before I load up a ladder for next weekend, has anyone else used RL25 under anything but 105(+)grain bullets?

October 25, 2011, 05:16 AM	#3
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	I like Reloder 22 in the .243, but then I don't have Quickload and I generally run 100 grain bullets in that caliber. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

October 25, 2011, 12:36 PM	#7
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	Actually, I have discovered that a "106%" fill in QuickLoad is an exact case fill with no compression (when vibrated down). But I will recheck tonight using the actual powder. My other fascination was w/ the (99.8%) calculated Burn Completion for RL25. So if someone has better/revised Energy density/burn rates, progressivity, factors, etc, I'd appreciate it. Last edited by mehavey; October 25, 2011 at 01:27 PM.

October 25, 2011, 04:19 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	My favorite powder for my 243 was H450. It is/was about as fast as Reloder 19. I try to avoid stick powders. Can't say if Reloder 25 would be, but I am sure Reloder 19 would be a good choice. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 6, 2011, 08:27 AM	#10
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	Any data on RL 17 or hodgdon Hybrid V 100? I'm getting some really impressive velocity out of the v100 on a 43.5 gr charge weight and have some test loads ready to go using speeer 85gr BTSP's. Data from spear shows 3300 and some change with that load __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

October 25, 2011, 12:31 AM	#2
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Nope. My QL suggests it would give about 200fps slower results than some faster powders. Super safe pressure for sure, but sub-par velocity.

October 25, 2011, 12:19 PM	#5
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Mine is v3.2. The problem is the fill. I doubt you could get 50gr stuffed into the case.

October 25, 2011, 12:27 PM	#6
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	I don't think quikload can predict what the pressures will be when powders start getting compressed.

October 25, 2011, 03:40 PM	#8
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	I've never used QL but the last powder I want to use in my 243 or 243AI would be R-25 with 80 to 90gr bullets.