Reloader 17 please share experience

[londonhunter]

Hi

I have 3 calibers which I like to share a powder namely

338 Lapua magnum

6.5 x 55

6 x 47 Lapua

I understand from communications with Alliant in Switzerland that it is similar to H4350 in burn rate their data looks like its written by their legal department wrapped in silk paper

Can anybody share some real life data with me to save some range time please ?

Thanks

 

[Clark]

The RL17 loads in my 270s worked up loads until short brass life and then backed off a safety margin are giving me some amazing velocity.

3225 fps 130 gr from a 22" barrel.
I would not have believed that possible.

150 gr over 3000 fps from a 22" barrel. Finally, after all these years, some recoil from my 270.

I asked the author, kombayotch, of the pic how he controlled the temperature.

-The cold batch of ammo went in the clubhouse freezer (a cooler full of regular ice also works).
-The room temperature ammo just sat on the bench
-The high temperature ammo was wrapped in a heating pad and put in a small cooler. 175F is only 80C...

 

[Derek M.]

The RL17 loads in my 270s worked up loads until short brass life and then backed off a safety margin are giving me some amazing velocity.

3225 fps 130 gr from a 22" barrel.
I would not have believed that possible.

150 gr over 3000 fps from a 22" barrel. Finally, after all these years, some recoil from my 270.

This is truly remarkable. That closes the margin of a 270 v. a 270 WSM by a substantial margin. With that kind of speed, who needs the WSM??

I've been reading enough about this powder to where I'm simply going to have to try it.

 

[Clark]

Derek,

That graph shows how constant Varget is and how variable Re17 is with temperature.

My kick is that cold ammo get hot in a hurry in a hot chamber from 4 fast shots and lots of aiming on the 5th shot with the 5th shot waiting in the chamber.

Bart Bobbitt, high power competitor, said that the longer he aimed, the lower he aimed to compensate for the round in the chamber heating up.

 

[Derek M.]

Clark, do you think, given the graph, that Reloder 17 should be avoided for hunting situations?

What I'm curious about is whether or not the same results would occur of the temp of the powder was heated up more slowly, say over several hours or days. Example: what would happen if the ammo was kept at a constant 40 degrees one day and fired, 50 degrees the next day and fired, etc.

I wonder if the rapid temp change also affects the velocity with Re17.

I'd hate to be hunting muleys in Colorado on a 5 day hunt where on day 1-2 temps were 25 degrees, day 3-4 were 50 degrees, etc and still have the dramatic velocity changes.

I know of several guys who are streamlining their load benches to ONE brand of powder only for centerfire rifles and that would be the Hodgdon Extreme line.

 

[B23]

I've read it works well in the .284 case. Getting 3150+fps w/140 in 6.5-284's

It shows some pretty impressive fps gains but I have also read it doesn't give you much, if any, warning before OVER pressure.

I've also read, and this has been of concern with other powders too, that it varies a far amount from Lot# to Lot#.

I have zero first hand knowledge, just passing on things I've read pertaining to RL17.

 

[Clark]

Derek,
I hunt at 3000 feet, where it can be 60 degrees or 20 degrees when I hunt.

I went there and took that data before hunting season started, but would up using a heavy 7mmRemMag with Re22 that was shooting better at 500 yards.

I do not have an opinion yet.

 

[SBruce]

I've done alot of reading on the 6X47 Lapua. People are saying that they get better velocity with Reloader but more consistent velocity with the Hogdens powder.

 

[Derek M.]

I'd rather have consistency and just accept the fact that whatever rifle/bullet combo I choose that shoots well is only going to go at whatever speed I can achieve. Then figure out flight path, and go hunting.

That said, Reloder powders are a line I simply cannot do without. I've had so many incredible accurate loads for the past 20 years, I can't see myself parting with Reloder powders.

 

[johnnyk]

I feel the same way. I have enjoyed most of the Reloader powder at one time (caliber) or another. RL22 has been my favorite and I have only used RL25 within the last year and a half in the 7mmRM and .300WinMag. I have used RL19 but never saw an advantage over IMR4350.
I too can't resist the siren of RL17, as I have a fresh can of it and MAGPRO on my desk now waiting load development. I may wait until after deer season goes out to try them. Gonna try various bullets in the .243, .25-06, 6.5-284 and .300WinMag.

 

[nheninge]

This powder definitely adds some speed, but in my hands the accuracy suffered tremendously . Possibly due to temp et al...?

The fastest load is generally not the most accurate .

 

[Derek M.]

The fastest load is generally not the most accurate .

I have found this to be true with one exception and in just a couple of rifles. The exception being with Barnes bullets and in a 270 and 30.06. For these 2, the faster the better.

 

[Bob the nailer]

I have found RL17 to give surpurb velocities and accuracy in my 6mm-284. one hole groups at 52 grains @ 3400fps and then again at 54 grains @ 3844fps this pushes the 66grain pill nicely! I noticed short case life after 4 firings with the 54grain load so have backed off alittle to spare the cases. RL22 is right behind with 54grains @ 3460fps, I really like how easy this 6mm-284 is to load for.

Best group to date .164", 3 shots @ 100yrds