OzFclass

I have a 1lb jug of the new RL16 that I’m yet to try in both my Dasher and 284win so will knownsoon enough what it’s capable of.

But has anyone tried RL23 in their straight 284? If the online boards in the US are to be believed velocities in the low 2900’s are easily achieved without trashing brass. Plus it’s suppposwd to be very temp stable unlike RL17.

I have been contemplating a SAUM for a while now but with most people appearing to run them only around 2950fps the performance gain is modest against the 284 with 2209 going 2820fps.

If one of these powders can see the straight 284 into a node around 2900fps without trashing brass it’s a path worth exploring.

Also a question on a SAUM, I know 2209 and 2950fps is almost the default choice in powder, but if anyone has tried these new RL powders in a SAUM have you been able to push to a higher node accurately? Happy to trade barrel life if it can be wound up a little harder for match rifle events and LR ranges at a Queens.

Looking at the cost of dies,magnum bolt, cases etc ect it’s a lot of expense for an extra 100fps over the 284.

Very good question. I was wondering the same myself mate.
JT

Give 23 a go.

I don't shoot a 284 but I shoot a 280AI and RL23 is my powder of choice. It is providing very good accuracy at 2815fps with no pressure and is very easy on brass. There's also a node at 2940 so I can run it at SAUM speeds and this node may be handy at the longs. I'm not convinced RL23 will give you low 2900s and still be gentle on the primer pockets with the 284 but there's only one way to find out. I've got some RL16 but I'm planning on trying that in my 6XC as 2209 has proven to be a flop in it so far.

Thanks Matt and Willow.

Anyone have a RL23 start load for 180gr VLD’s?

Currently shooting around 50.6gr of 2209 for 2820fps

Burn rate is similar to 2213SC so consider a load around that.

I have just started with RL16 as it is supposed to be temp stable. It is fluffier than 2209 thus takes up more room in the case, it takes up about 8% more case room and you may require about .2 grains more powder to get the same speed.

In the 6.5 SLR with 140 gr Berg LRBT's it gives me a full case, ES in single digits and 2915 FPS, if I add another .5 grs (drop tube) can get over 2960 fps, 2209 will get me to just 3000fps but the ES are all over the place. With a 17lb LG Benchrest rifles recoil starts to become problem when you get up into the 2950 fps region, whether that's a 7mm or a 6.5mm Cal when shooting free recoil?

I started shooting my Straight 284 with 4831sc (Don't know the manufacturers number in Australia). Switched to RL-17 as I use it in my K-31 Swiss Rifle. When RL-16 came out, I tried it and it really perked up the 284 especially with ELD-M 180 gr!

I use the "optimum Barrel Length" book by Graham Mincham but instead of cutting the barrel I use a tuner for final tune.

Now, my 7mm out-shoots my 6BRX! I find the best load by Graham's 5 shot group method for finding best ES, then evaluate the data on EXCEL to find the exact load to 4th or 5th order curve fit. I started doing this with a fixed 0.020" jump and to make sure, I tried tweaking the load with changes in jump but found the best load was the jump used for the load determining. That's when I figured the first order effect of jump adjustment was to change the case volume!