RL15 Differences?

[cowlickkid]

I have two cans of RL15 I want to use up. One is in the older cardboard can with the pull up red plastic top. The date on the packaging label (not the lot number) is 1990. The date on the store's price tag is 1999. The second can is in the newer black plastic can that reads "made in Sweden for New River Energetics" with a 2001 lot date.

Anyone know the differences, if any, of these two cans of RL15? Would it be ok to mix these two cans?

 

[Asm1]

Re: RL15 Differences?

Thats alot on time gone by ...I dont think I would try it..

 

[cowlickkid]

Re: RL15 Differences?

The older style can has no lot date and it doesn't mention where it is manufactured. The price tag on the bottom of the can is from 1999. So if the store sold it in 1999 it would only be two years away from the newer can with the 2001 lot date. I will say this, the newer packaging has a lot more useful information printed on the can.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: RL15 Differences?

Do you get the same velocity using the same load with both? I blended cans of varget all the time but they have not been sitting on a shelf 20 years.

 

[Grump]

Re: RL15 Differences?

I'd blend, because they are the same powder name, should be the same burn rate (variations should be most minor), and mainly to get one larger lot of powder.

Beware of static, and mix for twice as long as you think it should take. Granules are NOT liquids, and do not mix as such.

FWIW, I have seen different lots of plastic-jug RL-15 with different countries of manufacture AND different lists of component chemicals.

I would not blend non-cannister grade powders unless their loads with identical weight charges are within 50 fps of each other. Cannister-grade powders are supposed to narrow that variability in burn rates, as measured by weight. I've seen volume density vary a bit with cannister grade powders.

 

[easternncnative]

Re: RL15 Differences?

If you are investing your time, money, & effort into load development for a multi-thousand dollar rig, I'd fertilize the lawn with the old stuff and start with new powder. No need to introduce an unknown variable into the equation.

 

[cowlickkid]

Re: RL15 Differences?

Thanks for your opinions guys. I am going to try a few rounds loaded from each can and chrono them. I feel pretty comfortable blending them, but at the same time I am curious to see the results.