Relacement for RL15 ?

[AK10mm]

I copied this from another site this morning,looks very promising:


March 1st, 2011
New AR-Comp Powder from Alliant — Details Revealed

AR-Comp Alliant PowderHere’s the latest info on Alliant’s new AR-Comp powder. We had a chance to talk with Dick Quesenberry of Alliant, who revealed more details about this new propellant. First, Dick explained that AR-Comp is an advanced re-formulation of Reloder 15, a double-base Bofors powder. There are changes to internal and external chemistry to provide much better pressure/velocity stability across a wide range of temperatures.

AR-Comp Offers Uniform Velocities over a Wide Temp Range
Tests were done with .223 Rem and .308 Win ammo, loaded with AR-Comp and maintained at temps from -20° F to +160° F in a controlled test center. The ammo itself was heated or cooled to targeted temps before testing. Across that entire range of temperature, -20° F to +160° F, the ammo loaded with AR-Comp showed a variation of only 20 fps in muzzle velocity. The primary bullet type tested was a 77gr .224 bullet and the secondary was a 175gr .308 bullet.

Burn Rate Like Varget: Though this is a reformulation of Reloder 15, the burn rate of AR-Comp is slightly faster than Reloder 15. Alliant told us: “Reloder 15 is slightly slower, in burn rate, than Varget. The new AR-Comp, with the enhancements, ended up slightly faster than Reloder 15, so it is now very close to Varget in burn rate”. This is the result of the “tuning” of the powder to be much less temp-sensitive.

Meters Like Reloder 15: AR-Comp is a small-kernel, double-base extruded powder like Reloder 15, so it will continue to meter just like Reloder 15. The load density should be the same as Reloder 15.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

Sounds good.
IMHO they have over hyped RL17. I haven't tryed it yet, but the numbers I've seen on MR2000 seem too good. Now a new RL15 that is just like Varget. I will believe this one when I can prove it to myself.

 

[Falar]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

If this is simply a temperature insensitive version of RL15 (with the same velocity) this will be a GREAT powder for 5.56 w/77s and .308 with 155s and 175s.

It would also be the first double base powder that I am aware of that is temperature insensitive.

 

[kombayotch]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

Alliant claimed temperature insensitivity for RL-15 and then again for RL-17. Neither powder was...

I will definitely run a temperature test on this stuff when it's available.

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

Tagged for interest in kombayotch's data......

Would love a faster 223 and 308 powder that is temp stable.

 

[jeeptrash]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

Interested, am loading with rl15 currently

 

[Falar]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kombayotch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Alliant claimed temperature insensitivity for RL-15 and then again for RL-17. Neither powder was...

I will definitely run a temperature test on this stuff when it's available. </div></div>

They are for their new ball powders too.

 

[kombayotch]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

Doesn't mention it on their website for the ball powders.

It would be really nice if they were. Alliant's other powders give really good groups and velocities. But, their temperature stability is worse than old IMR powders, so I'm not going to hold my breath on that front.

So far, the only testimonials I have seen on the temperature stability of this new powder has been from a company employee.

 

[nesikabay]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

It is not a repalcement for RL-15. It is a little faster burning. I have some on the way to me. I have been using RL 15 for a long time and it works for me in a 308 with 185s. I should have it in a week or 2. If yall want ill tell you what i think of it.

 

[Falar]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kombayotch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Doesn't mention it on their website for the ball powders.

It would be really nice if they were. Alliant's other powders give really good groups and velocities. But, their temperature stability is worse than old IMR powders, so I'm not going to hold my breath on that front.

So far, the only testimonials I have seen on the temperature stability of this new powder has been from a company employee. </div></div>

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...000#Post2390000

I think this guy is a company employee too. I won't raise the BS flag until some tests are done because I would love to see a ball powder that provided great velocity/accuracy and was somehow temperature insensitive also. I bet a powder that metered well even in dispensers like what a progressive press uses, provided highly competitive accuracy/velocity numbers, AND was temperature stable would be hard to keep on the shelf.

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nesikabay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is not a repalcement for RL-15. It is a little faster burning. I have some on the way to me. I have been using RL 15 for a long time and it works for me in a 308 with 185s. I should have it in a week or 2. If yall want ill tell you what i think of it. </div></div>

Nesikabay, please do but make sure you can provide a controlled experiment that offers a proper evaluation of temp variation and velocity. Kombayotch's method of the three coolers with cold, room temp, and warm is an excellent way to gain a linear regression to really compare this vs the Hodgdon Extreme powders.

If you need any info on how to do this, just ask.

 

[kombayotch]

Re: Relacement for RL15 ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Falar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...000#Post2390000

I think this guy is a company employee too. I won't raise the BS flag until some tests are done because I would love to see a ball powder that provided great velocity/accuracy and was somehow temperature insensitive also. I bet a powder that metered well even in dispensers like what a progressive press uses, provided highly competitive accuracy/velocity numbers, AND was temperature stable would be hard to keep on the shelf. </div></div>

From one of the links in that thread, I found this picture:

That is not a ball powder, in the tradition sense anyway...

He also didn't say that it was as insensitive as Varget. My interpretation was that it would probably be similar to some of the IMR powders, which is possible. But, I think that if it was very insensitive they would really be pushing that in their marketing material, which they aren't.

RL-17 may show less temperature sensitivity at higher pressures. The pressure was fairly low in my 190 SMK load. But, the goal of my test was to compare it to my Varget load, which runs at the same velocity and is just as accurate. It may be worth re-running the test with 210 gr. bullets, or in a magnum caliber (which I don't have).

I wish more people would run similar tests, even if over a smaller temperature range. We would learn a lot about the temperature stability of different powders. It only requires 15 rounds and takes less than half an hour of actual time (not counting soaking in that). It's very simple to run and it gives you the temperature stability of your load instantly without having to wait for seasons to change.