RL-26 in .243

[fly-by]

I've been meaning to experiment with slower powder in the .243 and have a little bit of RL-26 and 100 grain Sierra FBSP to play with.   Started out a couple of grains below book max and based on these ES and SD numbers think this shows a lot of promise despite leaving some velocity on the table.

46.2   grains
   3029
   3020
   3033
   3021
   3027
ES   13
SD   5.4
   
   
46.4   grains
   3036
   3028
   3028
   3035
   3026
ES   10
SD   4.5

This is out of a 21" barrel.  Did not try to shoot groups with the Magnetospeed dangling off the end.

[jasnt]

That’s great speed for a 21” barrel and 100 gr

[Forks]

Sure does look promising....looking forward to the paper report. Now tell us where you plan on finding more of the 26.

[hunter399]

I've always used slow powder mainly....
H1000
H4831

I thought slow powder is where the 243 shines,looks like great numbers ,good potential.

[C-Money]

Fun experiment! Pretty good velocities! We have always just used IMR4350 in the .243win. Sure is a great cartridge.

[jasnt]

I've always used slow powder mainly....
H1000
H4831

I thought slow powder is where the 243 shines,looks like great numbers ,good potential.

Yup slow powders are awesome for the 243 with 100gr + bullets.  H1000 being my favorite for the 115’s.  Gets me good speed and accuracy and a lot easier on the barrel than some of these new powders, cleaner too. 

[b23]

I'm a big fan of RL26 and probably use more RL26 than all other powders combined.  Maybe not the easiest powder to always find but then again what powder is.