Reloder 15

[ryantx23]

After months of searching, I finally secured some R-15. I have heard people rave about how good it is, so some of you guys post up your favorite recipes.

To start, I just cranked out 100 rounds of 60 Vmax's with 25.6 grains of R-15.

Next will be some 69 SMK's and then some 77 Nosler CC's or SMK's. I also have some 68 and 75 Hornady BTHP's to play with.

What sayeth M4C?

[markm]

Ridiculously Temp sensitive. But people love it. Even the chronology of the Mk118LR rounds shows that it was crazy temp sensitive compared to 4064. It showed like 4 times the velocity swing on 1/4th the temperature change or something.

Just don't work up a hot load in winter or you may have problems in summer.

[cosme9242]

Always wondered about Reloader 15. Its fairly readily available up here in the Pacific NW. Everyone up here hates 4064 because of the way it meters but I've never had a problem with it as long as you run it through a faunal and not directly into the case

[opsoff1]

I've always had great experience with R-15. Shot it behind 69's, 80's and 90VLD's with outstanding results. In the 223/556 case it was for quite some time, the standard Army 600yd load, known as R80. In a larger capacity case like 762, the velocity / gas port fluctuations (especially in DMR M14's) was of concern - but we're talking significant temps in OIF/OEF. Shooting in CONUS, and in variations that ranged from 60 - 90 deg+, all it took was a couple of clicks down in elevation to account for the increase. It was very rare to run into primer problems (pressure) when the temps got up there. We actually had more issues with OEM FGMM. Some lots were brutal for popping primers.
I still load R-15 behind my 80gr and 90gr VLDs. My only complaint is that it is a bit dirty.
My go to in 762 is 4064 behind 175's and especially the 180's. Lighter bullets see 4895 (both IMR btw)

ETA: There is also some urban legend, for lack of a better phrase that has somewhat clouded the R15 reputation in the 762. This centers around the introuction of the M118LR. This occurred in 1995. The first runs at Lake City used WC750 Ball Powder (42.8gr) Nominal velocity was 2600fps from a 22" M14 bbl. (at 78ft) or 2660 from a 24" M24/M40. In '96 the charge went up to 43.3gr. Velocity jumped to 2700 at 78 ft from the M24's & M40's. It was also at this time that the M14 was considered basically obsolete, so concerns were not in place regarding M14 port pressure requirements. M118LR was loaded with WC750 until 1999 (Last lot was LC-99C173-013). After that in 1999, the powder was changed to Rel 15. (44.3gr) Velocity went up again - 2750 from the M24/M40 rifles. (at the muzzle) The change is believed to be due to temperature sensitivity with the WC750 powder - not the Rel15. Regradless - these later loads of WC750 and the new loads of Rel15 were never intended to be used in M14's.
2011 and 9/11 rolls around and deployed units are dusting off M14's/M21/M25's and shooting bad guys in hot locales. The later lots of M118LR (WC750) and the newer lots with Rel15 caused some serious issues with the rifles - bent / broken op rods, extractors that went airborne etc. The USMC forbid the use of M118LR in any of their DM guns. The culprit was temperature for sure - but it was exacerbated by the stiff loads that exceeded the M14's limits even in "normal" temps. All of this had an effect....in late 03/early 04 the Rel 15 charge in M118LR was lowered to 43.1 from 44.3. Actual testing of lots show the average charge was even lower - 42.8gr. This relieved the functioning issues (wrongly attributed to temp sensitivity) with the M14's - the reduced charge still launched a 175 from an M14 at 2685. This load also works well in the M110's.
Rel 15 isn't impervious to temp issues - it will fluctuate but it isn't as bad as it is made out to be. It got a bad rap due to the desert and stout loadings when used in gas guns.
SOCOM wanted a much better and more consistent 762 precision round to be used at longer ranges and that lead tto the Mk316 Mod O - but that's a story for another day.


FWIW

[markm]

Good to see opsoff1 back. :)

[opsoff1]

Good to be back - I've been busy shoveling/snow-blowing and freezing my a** off. :D

[markm]

Good time to have a temp stabile powder. :sarcastic:

[opsoff1]

Good time to have a temp stabile powder. :sarcastic:
LOL - good point!

[ubet]

Well damn, sort of wish I would have seen this BEFORE I bought 4lbs of rl15 that got delivered yesterday....

[Turnkey11]

I couldnt shoot saami spec loads with RE15 and 77gr SMKs in Hawaii, anything over 22 grains and primers were coming out. Switched to TAC, never looked back.

[cwgibson]

According to Alliant, AR-Comp is a less temp sensitive version of RL-15.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[markm]

According to Alliant, AR-Comp is a less temp sensitive version of RL-15.


I think it'd be impossible to make a powder that was MORE temp sensitive. :sarcastic:

[masan]

I think it'd be impossible to make a powder that was MORE temp sensitive. :sarcastic:

+infinity