Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 has emerged as a specialized solution for precision shooters who demand absolute consistency in the most popular mid-sized cartridges. Developed as part of the “Temperature Stable” (TS) family, Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 is specifically designed to bridge the gap between medium and medium-slow burn rates, offering a unique performance profile that caters to the high-pressure demands of modern competitive shooting. As the shooting sports evolve toward more efficient, high-BC (Ballistic Coefficient) projectiles, the need for a propellant that offers both high load density and thermal immunity has never been greater.
Executive Summary
- Main Application: Precision Rifle Series (PRS), National Match competition, and long-range tactical applications.
- Key Advantage: World-class temperature stability combined with integrated decoppering agents for extended shot strings.
- Burn Rate: Medium-slow, falling precisely between Alliant Reloder 15 and Alliant Reloder 16.
- What This Guide Covers: Physical grain analysis, thermal stability metrics, internal comparisons, and optimized component selection for 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Winchester.
Best For: Serious competitive marksmen and precision reloaders who operate in extreme environmental shifts and require a “clean-burning” propellant for long strings of fire.
Powder Description & Technical Profile
Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 is a modern, extruded powder that features a single-base chemical composition. The “15.5” designation is a literal description of its burn rate, which was engineered to be exactly halfway between the classic Alliant Reloder 15 and the newer Alliant Reloder 16. This allows reloaders to achieve optimal case fill and pressure in cartridges where Alliant Reloder 15 might be too fast, leading to high pressure before reaching velocity goals, and Alliant Reloder 16 might be too slow, resulting in compressed loads that bulge cases.
Physical Geometry and Chemical Composition
The physical profile consists of small, uniform sticks that incorporate an advanced decoppering additive. This additive is not merely a surface coating; it is integrated to chemically interact with copper fouling during the high-heat phase of the shot. This process effectively scours the bore of copper jacket material as the bullet passes, significantly extending the life of a barrel’s accuracy between cleanings.
The “Expert Feel” of Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 is characterized by a very linear pressure curve. Unlike some older propellants that exhibit a “spike” at the top end of the charge range, Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 provides predictable velocity gains as charge weights increase. This makes it exceptionally easy to find a stable accuracy node, as the “velocity flat spots” (where small changes in powder do not change velocity) are wider and more forgiving.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Extraordinary thermal stability prevents velocity “creep” during hot summer matches or freezing winter hunts.
- Pro: Integrated de-coppering technology keeps the bore clean for high-volume shooting sessions, maintaining accuracy across a 50-round match.
- Pro: Optimized for high-density loads in 6mm Dasher and 6mm Creedmoor.
- Con: As an extruded powder, it is less suited for basic volumetric “scoop” measures compared to spherical powders.
- Con: For smaller cases, a specific trickler or drop tube is necessary to ensure the kernels settle without overflowing the case neck.
Technical Characteristics
The following data provides the standardized specifications for Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 as measured in controlled laboratory environments.
| Property | Specification |
| Density (g/cc) | 0.935-0.950 |
| Burn Rate Category | Medium-Slow Rifle |
| Shape | Small Extruded Stick |
| Base | Single-Base Nitrocellulose |
| Coating | Graphite with Decoppering Additive |
Temperature Stability & Burn Rate Analysis
The standout feature of Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 is its immunity to thermal variance. This is the primary reason why professional PRS shooters have migrated to this propellant. In laboratory testing, it maintains a velocity variance of less than 0.5 FPS per degree Fahrenheit across a staggering range of -20 to 140 degrees. In practical field terms, this means a load developed at 60°F in the spring will likely maintain its point of impact (POI) when the temperature climbs to 95°F during a mid-summer championship.
Stability Table
This table compares the stability of Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 against other common propellants found in the MYR Links.txt database.
| Powder | Stability Rating | Sensitivity (FPS Variation) |
| Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 | Ultra-Stable | 0.3-0.5 FPS per Degree |
| Hodgdon Varget | Stable | 0.5-0.8 FPS per Degree |
| Alliant Reloder 15 | Sensitive | 1.4-1.9 FPS per Degree |
| Alliant Reloder 17 | Moderate | 1.5-2.0 FPS per Degree |
Powder Comparison
Comparing Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 against its peers shows why it has become a staple for mid-sized precision cases. It occupies a “Goldilocks” zone that allows for higher velocities than faster powders without the case-fill issues of slower ones.
| Powder | Burn Rate | Density | Primary Cartridges |
| Hodgdon Varget | Faster | 0.865 | 308 Winchester, 223 Remington |
| Alliant Reloder 15 | Slightly Faster | 0.935 | 308 Winchester, 6mm BR |
| Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 | Subject | 0.940 | 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Dasher |
| Alliant Reloder 16 | Slightly Slower | 0.930 | 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington |
| Hodgdon H4350 | Slower | 0.890 | 6.5 Creedmoor, 243 Winchester |
Performance, Metering & Equipment
While Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 is an extruded powder, its grain size is small enough to flow smoothly through modern automated dispensers. The uniformity of the kernels prevents the “crunching” often felt in older, larger-stick propellants when using a manual thrower.
Recommended Metering Equipment
For the consistency required in precision rifle applications, it is best paired with a high-accuracy scale. We recommend:
- RCBS MatchMaster Digital Powder Scale & Dispenser: Capable of throwing charges accurate to 0.04 grains.
- Hornady Precision Lab Digital Powder Scale: For those who prefer hand-trickling using a Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler.
- Lyman Gen6 Compact Powder System: An excellent mid-range option for high-volume reloading.
Metering through mechanical measures like the Redding Match Grade 3BR Powder Measure is consistent within +/- 0.15 grains. While this is sufficient for most general-purpose hunting loads, competitive shooters will always benefit from trickling the final few kernels.
Recommended Cartridges and Applications
The unique burn rate of Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 makes it a versatile propellant for several high-efficiency cartridges, particularly those using small rifle primers and heavy-for-caliber bullets.
| Cartridge | Primary Application |
| 6mm Dasher | Long Range Benchrest / PRS |
| 6mm Creedmoor | Precision Rifle Competition |
| 6.5 Creedmoor | Match & Tactical Shooting |
| 308 Winchester | Target & F-Class Competition |
| 7mm-08 Remington | Lightweight Hunting |
| 224 Valkyrie | Long Range AR-15 Platforms |
Bullets
To maximize the efficiency of Alliant Reloder TS 15.5, it should be paired with bullets that have high Ballistic Coefficients (BC). The powder’s burn curve is specifically tuned to push heavier projectiles without crossing overpressure thresholds too early.
| Bullet Manufacturer | Model | Recommended Weight |
| Berger Bullets | Hybrid Target | 105-140 Grains |
| Hornady | ELD Match | 108-147 Grains |
| Sierra Bullets | MatchKing | 107-142 Grains |
| Lapua | Scenar | 105-139 Grains |
| Nosler | Custom Competition | 140 Grains |
Primers
For a temperature-stable powder like Alliant Reloder TS 15.5, using a match-grade primer is essential to maintain low Extreme Spread (ES) and Standard Deviation (SD).
- CCI BR-4 Small Rifle Bench Rest: The preferred choice for 6mm Dasher.
- Federal Gold Medal Small Rifle Match: Excellent for precision 6.5 Creedmoor small-primer brass.
- CCI No. 200 Large Rifle: Standard for 308 Winchester service rifle loads.
- CCI BR-2 Large Rifle Bench Rest: The gold standard for large-primer match cartridges.
- Federal Gold Medal Large Rifle Match: Provides ultra-consistent ignition for target loads.
- Remington No. 7-1/2 Small Rifle Bench Rest: High-pressure primer for small-bore cases.
- Winchester Small Rifle: A reliable option for general reloading and development.
- Murom Small Rifle: Respected for its consistency in the international competition circuit.
- RWS 4033 Small Rifle: Elite European primer for specialized precision applications.
- CCI No. 450 Small Rifle Magnum: Useful for high-pressure 6mm ARC loads.
Expert Verdict
Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 has successfully filled a specific niche that previously required shooters to choose between the high energy of Alliant Reloder 15 and the thermal stability of newer powders. By combining both into a single propellant, Alliant has created a versatile “super-powder” for the mid-sized cartridge market. Its inclusion of de-coppering technology and its precise burn rate make it a primary candidate for any precision rifle project.
Whether you are building a new rifle for the PRS circuit or looking to refine an existing 308 Winchester load, this powder offers the consistency required to win. It effectively removes one of the most difficult variables in long-range ballistics: the environment.
Expert Pro Tip: In cartridges with large internal volume like the 6.5 Creedmoor, you may find that Alliant Reloder TS 15.5 produces better results with a slightly heavier crimp or more neck tension (approx. 0.003″). This helps build initial pressure more consistently before the progressive burn takes over, further reducing your SD numbers into the single digits.
