kilotanker22
New member
Ran out of RL 16 and found some H-4350. Since they are touted as being very similar and RL 16 seems to be a good replacement for H-4350, I decided to do a not so scientific comparison between the two in 6.5 creedmoor.
First I will start with the load I settled on for now using the same bullet, primer and powder charge. I worked up to it with both powders. I was using Sierra's data for their 140 grain SMK. Coincidentally the same powder charge of 42 grains shoots the best with both powders.
Accuracy was consistently .5-.7 moa with both powders with the slightest edge going to H-4350. I have not done a seating depth test with this bullet.
Velocity data was interesting. With the RL 16 average velocity was 2792 with an SD of 9 fps. With H-4350 average Velocity was 2796 with a SD of 6 fps. ES with H-4350 was only 14 FPS
Case fill is where I saw a bigger difference between these powders. The 42 grain charge of RL 16 was slightly compressed. The 42 grain charge of H-4350 was not a compressed load.. leading me to thing that the H-4350 has a little higher bulk density. Also the Granules of H-4350 are definitely smaller than RL 16 and far more consistent in size.
H-4350 also definitely burns cleaner than RL 16.
Also metering is more consistent than RL 16.
Over all I like H-4350 better.
My local guy also got in some 8 pounders this week so I will have to go buy a big hug of it soon.
First I will start with the load I settled on for now using the same bullet, primer and powder charge. I worked up to it with both powders. I was using Sierra's data for their 140 grain SMK. Coincidentally the same powder charge of 42 grains shoots the best with both powders.
Accuracy was consistently .5-.7 moa with both powders with the slightest edge going to H-4350. I have not done a seating depth test with this bullet.
Velocity data was interesting. With the RL 16 average velocity was 2792 with an SD of 9 fps. With H-4350 average Velocity was 2796 with a SD of 6 fps. ES with H-4350 was only 14 FPS
Case fill is where I saw a bigger difference between these powders. The 42 grain charge of RL 16 was slightly compressed. The 42 grain charge of H-4350 was not a compressed load.. leading me to thing that the H-4350 has a little higher bulk density. Also the Granules of H-4350 are definitely smaller than RL 16 and far more consistent in size.
H-4350 also definitely burns cleaner than RL 16.
Also metering is more consistent than RL 16.
Over all I like H-4350 better.
My local guy also got in some 8 pounders this week so I will have to go buy a big hug of it soon.