Experience with Alliant Reloder 25

[South Pender]

I have a supply of Re25 on hand and am wondering what everyone's experience has been with this powder. I'm considering it with the 6.5x55 Swede. According to QuickLoad, Re26 may be a better bet in the 6.5 Swede for maximum velocities at safe pressures. Alliant claims that Re26 is slower than Re25, but QuickLoad results seem to contradict this, with Re26 showing as slightly faster than Re25. I have some Re26, but a bigger supply of Re25 and so would like to explore options with it. As I've worked with QuickLoad, I've found that some compression with most bullets is necessary with Re25 when trying to get top velocities. Because Re26 has higher bulk density than Re25, that problem of compressed powder charges doesn't arise. I don't mind some compression (maybe up to 105% case volume), but prefer to avoid too much compression if possible.

Does anyone have some experience with Re25--ideally with the 6.5x55 or with both Re25 and Re26 in the same cartridges?

 

[bearhunter]

What make/model of rifle is your 6.5x55?

At least give us info we can help with.

Any load of RL26 that you've used previously should be safe in your rifle.

My experience with RL powders is that their burn rate varies from lot to lot.

But if RL25 is slower than RL26 the load for it is a good place to start.

 

[South Pender]

What make/model of rifle is your 6.5x55?

It's a Viking Arms 1900, with an action identical to that of the Husqvarna and Carl Gustaf 1900 rifles (and the later Zoli 1900s). So action strength is not an issue. I've measured the throat, and it appears to be pretty standard. As an example, the 140-gr. Nosler Partition seated to a COAL of 3.14" just kisses the lands with the base right at about the neck-shoulder junction.

 

[downwindtracker2]

I have tried RL-25 in my 264WM, where it was a failure . Each velocity in a string of three increased markedly. Bad sign. It happened to other guys as well with the 264WM. The usual results are a slight decrease as the action heated and loosened. Now having some RL-25 left over I tried it in my 6.5-06 where it worked great, nothing untoward . In fact I picked up a couple more pounds. In my 6.5x55 I'm burning left overs right now. RL-19.

 

[Eagleye]

I use Reloder 25 in my 308 Norma Magnum, chasing 200 grain Partitions/Accubonds,
Works great, even when I have to compress it some. Very low velocity spread,
shot-to-shot. In my experience, it is a bit slower burning than Reloder 26. Dave.

 

[hawk-i]

I use Reloder 25 in my 308 Norma Magnum, chasing 200 grain Partitions/Accubonds,
Works great, even when I have to compress it some. Very low velocity spread,
shot-to-shot. In my experience, it is a bit slower burning than Reloder 26. Dave.

Did you find 25 to be temp. sensitive?

 

[hunters home]

I have used RL-25 and RL-26 in several cartridges but not in the one you mentioned. In the ones I have used both powders in RL-25 was always appx 2-3 grs slower than RL-26 but the velocity with RL-26 was better. Accuracy depended on the rifle. JME

 

[South Pender]

I have used RL-25 and RL-26 in several cartridges but not in the one you mentioned. In the ones I have used both powders in RL-25 was always appx 2-3 grs slower than RL-26 but the velocity with RL-26 was better. Accuracy depended on the rifle. JME

Yes, that's about what QuickLoad predicts with the 6.5x55. Given Re25's lower bulk density, with some bullets I can't get enough into the case to achieve top velocities.