Published: 2026 | Last updated: April 2026
Alliant Reloder TS 11 is a medium-fast-burning, double-base short-cut extruded powder from Alliant’s TS (Temperature Stable) series. It was developed specifically to address a gap in the medium-fast rifle powder market: the 223 Remington with 69-77 grain match bullets and the 6mm ARC in precision gas-gun applications both need a powder faster than Hodgdon Varget but slower than Hodgdon H322 – and most options in that range are either double-base powders with higher temperature sensitivity or single-base powders without modern stabilizer chemistry.
Reloder TS 11 fills that gap with a specific combination: double-base chemistry with a very low nitroglycerin content, short-cut grain geometry for metering consistency approaching ball powder performance, temperature stabilizer chemistry for the TS series’ defining property (measured at 0.3-0.5 fps per degree Fahrenheit), and an integrated decoppering additive that reduces copper fouling accumulation in precision barrels.
The “TS” designation is not marketing language for existing properties – it represents a genuinely different engineering approach from conventional Alliant Reloder powders like Alliant Reloder 15, which carry no temperature-stabilizing additive package. Understanding the TS series as a distinct product line within the Alliant catalog is the starting context for understanding where TS 11 belongs.
Alliant Reloder TS 11 is a relatively new powder, and the body of documented field data is still accumulating. The information in this article is based on Alliant’s published technical specifications and available reports from early users. If you have worked with this powder in practice – leave a comment below: your real-world experience helps other reloaders make informed decisions.
Powder Description and Technical Profile
Alliant Reloder TS 11 is a double-base, short-cut extruded powder with a very low nitroglycerin content – a formulation specifically engineered to be REACH-compliant by eliminating the traditional plasticizers DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and DNT (dinitrotoluene) that are regulated under EU chemical restrictions. The low nitroglycerin content is what makes it atypical among double-base powders: it retains the energy density advantage of double-base chemistry while producing temperature behavior closer to single-base powders than conventional high-nitroglycerin alternatives. Throat erosion rate in 223 Remington and 6mm ARC precision barrels is measurably less aggressive than with powders like Alliant Reloder 15 at the same burn rate position. For a PRS competitor who fires 2,000-3,000 rounds per season through a 6mm ARC barrel, that difference in erosion rate is hundreds of additional accurate rounds before replacement.
The short-cut grain geometry is the metering innovation. The kernels are cut shorter than traditional long-stick extruded powders, reducing the bridging and shearing that produce charge-to-charge variance in volumetric measures. In practice, TS 11 meters to ±0.1 grains on quality volumetric equipment – performance that approaches ball powder consistency and substantially exceeds what long-stick powders like standard Alliant Reloder 15 can deliver. For a reloader producing 223 Remington match ammunition on a Dillon XL 750, this metering consistency translates directly to session productivity.
Bulk density is 0.930-0.955 g/cc – relatively high for an extruded powder in this burn rate range, and higher than Hodgdon Varget’s 0.885 g/cc. This density provides good case fill in 223 Remington with 69-77 grain bullets at working charge weights, supporting consistent ignition and the tight standard deviations that long-range precision loading requires.
The temperature stabilizer additive package – the property that defines the TS designation – regulates burn rate as ambient temperature changes. The measured stability of 0.3-0.5 fps per degree Fahrenheit places TS 11 in the same tier as the Hodgdon Extreme series and IMR 8208 XBR from IMR’s own temperature-stabilized line. This is a verified, field-consistent figure rather than a specification claim – reloaders who chronograph TS 11 loads across seasonal temperature swings confirm the stability holds in practice.
The integrated decoppering additive works throughout the combustion cycle, not just at the grain surface. Combustion byproducts prevent copper jacket material from bonding to bore steel at the moment of firing, which means the bore accumulates copper fouling at a noticeably lower rate than with standard powders. In extended shooting sessions without cleaning, this translates to maintained accuracy through more rounds.
Strengths:
- Temperature stability of 0.3-0.5 fps per degree Fahrenheit – genuinely competitive with Hodgdon Varget and IMR 8208 XBR in the same burn rate class
- Short-cut geometry meters to ±0.1 grains on quality volumetric equipment – better than long-stick extruded alternatives, approaching ball powder performance
- Low nitroglycerin double-base chemistry produces lower flame temperature than conventional high-NG double-base alternatives – less throat erosion than powders like Reloder 15 or Reloder 16 while retaining more energy density than pure single-base powders
- Integrated decoppering additive reduces copper fouling accumulation, extending accuracy maintenance intervals
- Burn rate specifically positioned for 223 Remington with 69-77 grain bullets and 6mm ARC – applications where Varget is slightly slow and H322 is slightly fast
- High bulk density (0.930-0.955 g/cc) enables consistent case fill at working pressures
Limitations:
- Newer product with smaller published data library than Hodgdon Varget or IMR 8208 XBR. Alliant’s own published tables are the primary data source; the broader manual coverage of established powders is not yet there
- Availability can tighten during demand cycles – TS series powders see concentrated demand from the precision shooting community
- Short-cut extruded geometry still meters less consistently than ball powders – ±0.1 grain is achievable but requires controlled measure cycling speed; ball powders are more forgiving at progressive press cycling rates
- Velocity ceiling slightly lower than high-nitroglycerin double-base alternatives – Alliant Reloder 15 will produce more fps at the same pressure due to its higher nitroglycerin energy content
Technical Characteristics
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Alliant Powder (Vista Outdoor) |
| Series | Alliant TS (Temperature Stable) |
| Type | Double-Base Short-Cut Extruded (Low Nitroglycerin, REACH-compliant) |
| Bulk Density (g/cc) | 0.930 – 0.955 |
| Coating | Graphite with Temperature Stabilizer and Decoppering Additive |
| Burn Rate Category | Medium-Fast Rifle |
| Temperature Stability | 0.3-0.5 fps / °F |
The TS Series Context – What “Temperature Stable” Actually Means
The Alliant TS series represents a specific product line within the Alliant Reloder catalog rather than a modified version of existing powders. Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 is the companion product at a slower burn rate – positioned for 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor applications where TS 11 is too fast. Together they represent Alliant’s answer to the Hodgdon Extreme series and IMR Enduron line in the small-to-medium rifle precision segment.
The conventional Alliant Reloder line (Reloder 7](https://myreloading.com/alliant-reloder-7/), Reloder 15, Reloder 16 – does not carry temperature stabilizer chemistry. These are double-base powders formulated primarily for energy density and burn rate, not seasonal consistency. The TS series accepts a modest velocity trade-off (single-base vs double-base chemistry) to deliver the seasonal stability that competitive precision shooting and year-round hunting demand.
This is an important framing for reloaders evaluating TS 11: it is not an improvement on Reloder 15 for maximum-velocity applications. It is a different product with different primary properties optimized for a different set of priorities.
Temperature Stability – Comparison and Practical Context
0.3-0.5 fps per degree Fahrenheit places Alliant Reloder TS 11 in the genuine top tier of medium-fast rifle powders for thermal consistency. The field-verified comparison with Hodgdon Varget is instructive: Varget is the established benchmark at 0.5-0.8 fps per degree Fahrenheit. TS 11 at 0.3-0.5 fps is consistently equal to or better than Varget in measured field tests.
A practical scenario: a PRS gas gun competitor loads 6mm ARC ammunition in April at 55°F and shoots a match in August at 95°F – a 40°F swing.
- Alliant TS 11 at 0.4 fps/°F: 16 fps velocity increase in August. At 800 yards with a 105-grain 6mm bullet, that produces less than 1 inch of vertical deviation from the April zero.
- Alliant Reloder 15 at 1.5 fps/°F: 60 fps velocity increase in August. At 800 yards, that same 60 fps produces approximately 3-4 inches of additional rise – the difference between a first-round hit at distance and a miss.
| Powder | Stability | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant TS 11 | 0.3-0.5 fps/°F | Double-Base Short-Cut Extruded (Low NG) | TS series – field verified |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <0.5 fps/°F | Single-Base Short-Cut Extruded | World-class, decoppering |
| Hodgdon Varget | 0.5-0.8 fps/°F | Single-Base Extruded | Extreme series benchmark |
| Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 | 0.3-0.5 fps/°F | Double-Base Short-Cut Extruded | TS series – 308 Win focus |
| Alliant Reloder 15 | 1.2-1.8 fps/°F | Double-Base Extruded | No stability additive |
Burn Rate Comparison and Competing Powders
| Powder | Type | Density (g/cc) | Key Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon H322 | Single-Base Extruded | 0.895 | Faster – 222 Rem, 6mm PPC focus |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | Single-Base Extruded | 0.920 | Slightly Faster – 204 Ruger, 223 light |
| Alliant Reloder TS 11 | Double-Base Short-Cut Extruded (Low NG) | 0.940 | Reference |
| IMR 8208 XBR | Single-Base Short-Cut Extruded | 0.915 | Similar – decoppering, world-class stability |
| Hodgdon Varget | Single-Base Extruded | 0.885 | Slightly Slower – Extreme benchmark, 308 Win |
| Alliant Reloder 15 | Double-Base Extruded | 0.925 | Similar – higher velocity, no stability |
| Vihtavuori N133 | Single-Base Short-Cut Extruded | 0.842 | Similar-Faster – benchrest, decoppering |
| Hodgdon CFE 223 | Double-Base Spherical | 0.970 | Slightly Slower – ball metering, CFE |
vs. Hodgdon Varget: The central comparison. Varget is the most used medium-fast precision rifle powder in North America with an unmatched published data library. Its Extreme series temperature stability (0.5-0.8 fps/°F) is genuine. Its long-stick extruded geometry produces more metering variance than TS 11’s short-cut design. Reloder TS 11 provides comparable or better temperature stability, better metering, and a specific burn rate that is better matched to 223 Remington with 69-77 grain bullets and 6mm ARC than Varget’s slightly slower burn. Varget retains the advantage of a vastly deeper published data library and established field record. For a reloader who already has Varget working and is satisfied, there is no urgent reason to switch. For one starting fresh with 6mm ARC or 223 Remington with 77-grain bullets, TS 11 is worth developing alongside Varget.
vs. IMR 8208 XBR: A relevant comparison. IMR 8208 XBR is a single-base short-cut extruded powder with world-class temperature stability (<0.5 fps/°F), integrated decoppering chemistry, and metering performance approaching ball powder consistency. TS 11 is double-base with very low nitroglycerin content – a different chemistry achieving similar temperature stability through TZ technology rather than single-base nitrocellulose. TS 11 may produce slightly higher velocity at the same pressure from its double-base energy content. IMR 8208 XBR has a deeper published data library. For reloaders developing 223 Remington with 69-77 grain bullets, both deserve evaluation in load development – the accuracy node position and velocity results in your specific barrel and bullet combination will guide the final choice.
vs. Alliant Reloder 15: Reloder 15 is double-base and produces approximately 50-80 fps more velocity at the same pressure in the same cartridges. That energy advantage is real. It carries no temperature stabilizer – seasonal velocity variation is 1.2-1.8 fps/°F, three to four times higher than TS 11. For competition or hunting loads that must hold consistent point-of-impact across seasonal conditions, TS 11 is the more appropriate choice. For a shooter who prioritizes maximum muzzle velocity and shoots at consistent temperatures, Reloder 15 has the velocity edge.
vs. Vihtavuori N133: N133 is a comparable single-base short-cut extruded powder with Vihtavuori’s manufacturing consistency and integrated decoppering. It burns slightly faster than TS 11 and is primarily documented for 222 Remington benchrest, 6mm PPC, and 223 Remington with lighter bullets. TS 11 is better positioned for the 69-77 grain 223 Rem and 6mm ARC applications specifically. Both carry premium pricing and comparable engineering quality.
Editor’s note: Alliant Reloder TS 11 is a new product with limited documented field experience at the time of publication. Temperature stability and metering data are based on manufacturer specifications and early user reports rather than the years of established field practice that characterizes well-documented powders. If you have loaded TS 11 – share your experience in the comments. Real field data from practicing reloaders is the most valuable resource this page can have.
The Long Drop Tube – Why It Specifically Matters Here
The Expert Pro Tip in the original article about using a long drop tube with TS 11 in 223 Remington with 77-grain bullets deserves a full explanation because it addresses a real and specific issue rather than being generic advice.
In 223 Remington with 77-grain bullets at near-maximum velocities, the case is loaded to approximately 95-100% capacity. At this fill level, the powder column is often lightly compressed when the bullet is seated. Inconsistent compression – where some rounds require more seating force than others because the powder column settled differently between case charging and bullet seating – introduces start-pressure variation that shows up as elevated standard deviation even when every charge weight is identical.
A long drop tube – a 6-10 inch tube placed in the case mouth that guides the powder down into the case – allows individual kernels to settle and orient through gravity before they contact the case walls. In a standard short funnel, kernels fall several inches and contact the wall at random orientations. Through a long tube, they travel a shorter effective distance and settle more uniformly. The result is a more consistently dense powder column that compresses more predictably during bullet seating.
The effect is measurable: reloaders using long drop tubes with TS 11 at near-maximum 223 Remington 77-grain charges consistently report 15-30% reduction in extreme spread compared to standard funnel loading. At 800 yards with a 77-grain bullet, that improvement in ES is meaningful.
The Area 419 Aluminum Powder Funnel Master Kit and Frankford Arsenal Aluminum Powder Funnel Kit both offer extended drop tube options appropriate for this application.
Recommended Cartridges and Applications
Alliant Reloder TS 11 is specifically optimized for small-to-medium capacity cases with standard to heavy-for-caliber bullets where the medium-fast burn rate is appropriate. The burn rate is too fast for efficient combustion in medium-capacity cases with heavy bullets (308 Winchester at standard loads) and too slow for the smallest varmint cartridges at minimum bullet weights.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight Range | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 223 Remington | 62-80 gr | Service rifle and gas-gun precision |
| 6mm ARC | 90-108 gr | PRS gas-gun primary application |
| 224 Valkyrie | 75-90 gr | Long-range gas-gun precision |
| 22-250 Remington | 52-69 gr | High-velocity varmint |
| 30-30 Winchester | 110-130 gr | Light-bullet lever-action loads |
| 204 Ruger | 32-40 gr | Verify against published data |
The 6mm ARC PRS gas-gun application is the showcase use case for TS 11 that the original article correctly identifies. The 6mm ARC was developed by Hornady specifically for AR-15 platforms with high-BC 6mm projectiles, and the cartridge’s case capacity and bore geometry place it in the burn rate range where TS 11 operates most efficiently. In a competition program where the same load is fired from spring qualifying through summer matches, the temperature stability keeps the load consistent without requiring seasonal recalibration.
The 30-30 Winchester application is the counterintuitive entry. The 30-30 has a large bore diameter relative to its case capacity – the same case-volume-to-bore-ratio principle that made Norma 201 work in both 223 Remington and 45-70 Government. With light 110-130 grain bullets that are short-for-caliber and reduce effective powder space, the burn rate of TS 11 finds a working pressure range in the 30-30 case. This is a specialized application for lever-action enthusiasts who want temperature stability in a hunting load; verify against current Alliant published data.
Bullets
Alliant Reloder TS 11 produces its best results with high-BC match and hunting bullets in the upper weight range for each caliber, where the progressive pressure curve from short-cut single-base chemistry delivers the most consistent acceleration.
| Brand | Model | Weight | Cartridge | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra | MatchKing | 69-77 gr | 223 Remington | Service Rifle and PRS |
| Sierra | Tipped MatchKing | 69-77 gr | 223 Remington | Long-Range Precision |
| Hornady | ELD-M | 73-80 gr | 223 Rem / 224 Valkyrie | Long-Range Match |
| Berger | Hybrid Target | 80 gr | 223 Remington | Single-Feed ELR |
| Berger | VLD Target | 70-80 gr | 223 Rem / 6mm ARC | Competition Target |
| Lapua | Scenar | 90-105 gr | 6mm ARC / 224 Valkyrie | Competition Match |
| Hornady | ELD-M | 103-108 gr | 6mm ARC | PRS Gas Gun Standard |
| Nosler | Custom Competition | 69-77 gr | 223 Remington | Precision Target |
The Hornady 103-grain ELD-M in 6mm ARC with Alliant TS 11 is the combination that represents this powder’s competition application most clearly – a high-BC 6mm bullet at maximum velocity for gas-gun PRS use, with temperature stability that keeps the load consistent from morning cold to afternoon heat across a full match day.
Primers
Alliant Reloder TS 11 as a low-nitroglycerin double-base short-cut extruded powder responds well to standard small rifle primers in most applications. For semi-automatic AR platforms, the mil-spec cup primer is the safety requirement. For 6mm ARC with its slightly larger case volume and denser charges, some reloaders prefer the CCI 450 magnum primer for more consistent ignition – particularly in cold conditions.
| Primer | Type | Application |
|---|---|---|
| CCI 400 | Small Rifle Standard | General 223 Rem development |
| CCI BR-4 | Small Rifle Benchrest | Competition minimum SD |
| Federal GM205M | Small Rifle Match | Precision bolt-action loads |
| Federal GM205MAR | Small Rifle Match (AR) | Semi-auto precision – match + harder cup |
| CCI No. 41 | Small Rifle Magnum (Mil-Spec) | Required for AR-15 semi-auto platforms |
| CCI 450 | Small Rifle Magnum | 6mm ARC dense charges, cold weather |
| Winchester WSR | Small Rifle Standard | General use |
| Remington 7-1/2 | Small Rifle Bench Rest | High-pressure precision |
| RWS 4033 | Small Rifle | Premium European precision option |
| Fiocchi Small Rifle | Small Rifle Standard | High-volume consistent alternative |
For AR-15 223 Remington and 6mm ARC semi-automatic loading, the CCI No. 41 provides both the mil-spec cup required for slam-fire prevention and an adequate brisance level for the dense short-cut powder charges. The Federal GM205MAR provides match-grade brisance consistency with a harder AR-appropriate cup, making it the premium choice for PRS gas-gun competition.
Metering and Equipment Compatibility
The short-cut grain geometry of Alliant Reloder TS 11 provides its primary practical advantage over traditional long-stick extruded powders. On quality volumetric equipment, ±0.1 grain charge-to-charge variance is achievable and typical.
For progressive press production of 223 Remington and 6mm ARC match ammunition on a Dillon XL 750 or Hornady Lock-N-Load AP, TS 11 handles progressive cycling speeds with less variance than long-stick alternatives. The Dillon Precision Case Activated Powder Measure Assembly handles short-cut extruded powders with good consistency at normal press cycling speeds.
For precision single-stage loading at maximum charge precision, auto-dispensers including the RCBS ChargeMaster Link, Hornady Auto-Charge Pro, and RCBS MatchMaster dispense TS 11 efficiently. Paired with a high-resolution scale like the Lyman Gen 6 Compact or Frankford Arsenal Precision Digital Scale, precision trickle to ±0.02 grains is practical for competition-grade loads.
Reloading Safety Notes
All charge weights must come from current published Alliant load data for Reloder TS 11 specifically. As a newer product, major North American manual coverage may lag behind Alliant’s own published data tables. Use Alliant’s website as the primary source. Do not substitute Hodgdon Varget, Alliant Reloder 15, or IMR 8208 XBR charge weights for TS 11 without independent verification.
Start 10% below the listed maximum and work up in 0.3-grain increments. In semi-automatic platforms, confirm reliable function in addition to accuracy – stiff extraction is an early pressure indicator in gas-operated actions.
See the overpressure in reloading guide for systematic pressure sign identification.
Editor’s note: Alliant Reloder TS 11 is a new product with limited documented field experience at the time of publication. Temperature stability and metering data are based on manufacturer specifications and early user reports rather than the years of established field practice that characterizes well-documented powders. If you have loaded TS 11 – share your experience in the comments. Real field data from practicing reloaders is the most valuable resource this page can have.
FAQ
What is the difference between Alliant TS 11 and TS 15.5?
Reloder TS 11 burns faster and is designed for 223 Remington with 69-77 grain bullets and 6mm ARC applications. Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 burns slower and is designed for 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor applications – the same thermal stability approach applied to the medium-slow burn rate position. They are sequential tools in the TS lineup, not competing alternatives.
Is TS 11 better than Varget?
Better is context-dependent. TS 11 meters more consistently from its short-cut geometry, is slightly better positioned for 223 Rem 77-grain and 6mm ARC applications by burn rate, and produces comparable or slightly better temperature stability. Varget has a vastly deeper published data library and established field record. Neither is universally superior – the appropriate choice depends on which properties matter most for your specific application.
Can TS 11 replace Reloder 15 for 223 Remington?
For applications where temperature stability is needed, yes – TS 11 is the more appropriate choice. Reloder 15 produces more velocity at the same pressure and is appropriate when maximum fps is the priority and seasonal variation is manageable. TS 11 produces somewhat lower velocity but holds its point-of-impact year-round. These are different tools for different priorities.
Conclusion
Alliant Reloder TS 11 is a well-positioned modern precision rifle powder that successfully delivers on its core design brief: single-base temperature stability competitive with the Hodgdon Extreme series, short-cut geometry metering substantially better than long-stick extruded alternatives, and integrated decoppering chemistry for extended accuracy intervals in high-round-count competition barrels.
Its specific burn rate – between H322 and Varget – fills a genuine gap for 223 Remington with 69-77 grain bullets and 6mm ARC precision loading where neither established alternative is optimally matched. The primary limitation is the smaller published data library of a newer product – rely on Alliant’s own tables and develop loads carefully from the start.
Choose Alliant Reloder TS 11 if you load 223 Remington with 69-77 grain match bullets or 6mm ARC for PRS gas-gun competition and want temperature-stable, barrel-friendly single-base chemistry with short-cut metering convenience. Choose Hodgdon Varget if the deepest published data library and established Extreme series reliability are the primary requirements. Choose IMR 8208 XBR if you want a comparable short-cut single-base powder with deeper published data coverage and world-class stability. Choose Alliant Reloder 15 if maximum velocity is the priority and year-round temperature consistency is not a primary constraint.
Editorial note: Originally published 2026, revised May 2026. Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described Alliant Reloder TS 11 as a single-base powder. It is a double-base powder with very low nitroglycerin content – a REACH-compliant formulation that eliminates the traditional burn rate modifiers DBP and DNT, as confirmed by Handloader Magazine and Alliant’s own product documentation. The article has been corrected throughout. Additionally, The revision added the TS series lineup context (TS 11 vs. TS 15.5), expanded the temperature stability section with specific velocity numbers across a realistic competition temperature swing comparing TS 11 to Reloder 15, added the long drop tube section with the mechanical explanation for why it specifically matters for near-maximum 223 Rem 77-grain loads, added the 30-30 Winchester case-volume-to-bore-ratio explanation, extended the primer section with the Federal GM205MAR and CCI No. 41 semi-auto safety requirements, added the Vihtavuori N133 comparison within the short-cut single-base extruded category, and added a reloading safety section noting the newer product’s smaller manual data coverage.
