How does RL-15 meter?

J

jasonk

Very Snipery
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 23, 2007
5,765
9
Vancouver, Washington
#1
I bought a used 308, got a couple of good loads from the previous owner for it that both use Reloder 15, but I've never used RL15.

I don't plan on weighing every charge for this rifle, hoping to throw charges and maybe even load for it on the Dillon, so I want a charge that will go through a thrower with decent results.

So based on this info, will RL15 work for me or should I work on a new load with Tac or a Ramshot ball powder?
 
#4
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

I thought you ran two Chargemasters?

It doesn't meter as good as ball powder but it does fine on a progressive.
 
#5
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

Hey Jason. RL-15 is the first powder I used for .308 since I started handloading, and I have used it pretty much exclusively since then. In my experience, it meters about the same as Varget thru my dillon 550b. It is not that bad at all in my opinion, and since I weigh and trickle anyways, it is hardly a factor. However, I recently polished the shit out of the inside of the powder throw, and the results were quite extraordinary. The variance shrunk down to about .2 gr max on almost all throws. Give that a try. Don't skip out on the RL-15 because of worries about shitty metering. It is a very good powder, so give it a shot.
 
#6
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

Meters better than Varget, all the usual dryer sheets, ground the thrower and my Dillon throws alot better since I polished the funnel and ajusted the springs. If you have not seen the polishing and Dillon ajustment threads you might take a look. Been shooting it for years match chamber 25 " Schneider Poly 155L, Lapua case 46.1 2940 Fps. Temp ajustment about .7 Fps per degree F

All that said I am working on IMR 8208XBR loads flows like ball thru a measure, drops a consistant suppost to be stable to 165F. So far very impressive but still working on it.
 
#7
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

I use it in a Harrell premium culver measure. It meters OK-not like ball powder but still quite accurate.

I takes a consistent action though.If you don't bang the handle at the top or bottom of the stroke it is quite uniform. I still weigh each charge. It may vary .2 grains.
 
#8
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I thought you ran two Chargemasters?

It doesn't meter as good as ball powder but it does fine on a progressive. </div></div>

I do....but I'd like to try running some 308 on a full progressive (650xl).

Sounds like the RL15 will do just fine, I'll do the tune/polish on the Dillon thrower and we'll see what happens.

Thanks for all the input, it's appreciated!

Jason
 
#9
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

Jason, before you polish your hopper and funnel, throw a bunch of RL15 thru it first so you can compare the before/after effect of polishing.
 
#10
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

If your desire is tack driving competition grade ammo, use your Dillon, however, I'd remove the powder dump and handweigh (Chargemaster) each charge. You are still pumping out 400+ an hour and they will all be exact! Just my .02!

I just don't like giving my buddies any help when I'm trying to win!
 
#13
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

Busted! I don't know how many an hour! I'm a damn Hillbilly, have a hard time with all that "Ciphering" stuff! I do have a friend that brings his over and we run two at a time when we are on a 50 BMG run! 221 grains really takes awhile. We have fun doing it. One of my friends claims that he only shoots so he can reload! He's got other issues too! Ha! We want to produce alot of ammo to shoot in as little time as necessary. My point was that the 650 is running at lightning speed compared to a single stage, the wait for the "accurate" powder dump is worth the wait. Your still cookin' with that set-up!

CKA....I trusted you not to disclose any info about the VLD Funnel project! Now look at what you've done! :)
 
#14
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

my 0.02 about this is:

i found out that the RL-15 powder gets a 30-50ft/s faster when using a suppressor.
i found this the hard way(bolt was sticking) the load that i use was develop prior to the suppressor time. chrono my load and it show right away; back down the load to compensate for it.
 
#15
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

I saw the polishing thread some time ago, but can't remember the link, so PLEASE pass it on again? RL-15 +/- .3 with no polishing, but I think I need to make some changes to how I have it st up, as you guys are getting more consistency than I am. If I feel a double rachet, I know it's thowing to the high side, regardless of powder
 
#17
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

I have a Dillon 650 also and the only rifle caliber I throw for it is .223 w/Tac...I've seen some of you say its measuring exact and I certainly don't see that nor would I try and load any precision ammo with it for that reason. I actually find myself dumping about every 3 charges to weigh them and they rarely come out to what I find would be acceptable. Other than the .223 I use it exclusively for pistol ammo and thats it because I'm just slinging lead with them.

I'd also like to see the polishing link if someone has it.

For the original question, stop being lazy Jason and single stage that shit
grin.gif
 
#19
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gnfiter3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">UNSICHTBAR: Thanks, and you did a 2-4-1 as cigarcop can see it too. </div></div>

Yes very much appreciated
 
#20
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

Cigarcop:
According to the bible, (LOL) Precision Shooting, Reloaders Guide, and the prophet, John Feamster. "Progressive Presses" Here, the industry standard is Dillon. "Those concerned about the quality of ammunition which can be loaded on a progressive press need fear not." Precision Shooting, Dec. 1993, p. 23 Daryl Dudley wrote an article documenting the accuracy of ammunition loaded on a Dillon for "Benchrest Competion."

I guess there was no mention of preparing the hardware for the task, i.e polishing the bowl,for consistency; over-riding the fail-safe arm, for smoother operation, etc. With no additional work, +/- .3 grains may not matter in Service Rifle, but that does equate to a half grain variance in a loading session. Off the bench, with what seems to be the quality of sticks built by Hide Members, I stand corrected, you can see that.

This being said, I'm following the instructions, and expecting better ammo for the work. There are/were cheaper progressives than Diillon, but as I have invested in it, what else can be said? I'd like to have "bughole" ammo from a progressive, but I do dream sometimes.
 
#21
Re: How does RL-15 meter?

Around here RL15 is much more available than Varget. These are about the only powders I use. Ive been using Varget more lately just because I acquired some but RL15 works just as well. Just watch your temp with it. Its a little more sensitive than Varget.
 
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