Reloader 17 Experiences - 260 / 257Bob

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I'm a newer reloader this spring and in the powder crunch just got 3lbs Re17 and was wondering how everyone likes it good and bad.
Thinking of trying it in 260 with 130's and/or 257 Bob with 100/110's and wondering if anyone has had any decent success with these combos, or your loads with this powder, speeds, accuracy etc.

Ps - may trade for 7828ssc, H4831sc or Re22 :p

Thanks!:)
 
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IMHO, R17 is a bit to fast for both of those cartridges. It will work well enough for most purposes though.

IMR 7828SC or regular cut is a better choice. Probably the best overall choice for those cartridges. H4831 is very close in burn rate to R17 but just a bit slower.

Reloader powders are very nice to meter. Almost as nice as Ball powders. Even the SSC and SC powders offered by IMR and Hodgdon's don't meter as well.


With powder being difficult to find at the moment my advice is to stick with what you have and develop a load from there. The difference will be minimal for most applications with the mid range to light bullets you intend to use.

One other thing. If you decide to keep the powder you have on hand, check the lot numbers on each container. If any of them are different, open all three containers and pour them together in a bag or some other receptacle that will hold it all and still allow room to mix it together. I usually use a large stainless steel mixing bowl. I do this because different lots of powder, even if they have the same assigned number can have significantly different burn rates, depending on which end of the plus or minus specifications they were manufactured to.

By mixing those three cans together, you will have 3 pounds of exactly the same powder to work with. DO NOT MIX powders of different designations together.
 
I just shot some 257 roberts this week loaded with R 17. I tried 3 loads with the 110gr hornady bullet with the recomened hornady data 40, 41, &42 gr of powder game me nothing to call good. Then for chits and giggles I tried a load with 100gr TSX bullets and they shot superb, I will messing with this load some more. The 110's maybe for sale...lol FS
 
I am using Reloder 17 in 3 great applications. The 30-06 with the 150 GMX, the 300 WSM with the 165 GMX, and the 7x57 with the 140 Accubond.

All are amazingly accurate, and all give good velocities. AAMOF, the 30-06 load is over 3000 fps, and shoots sub-moa in my Vanguard S2

RL 17 is quite close in burning rate to the 4350's, but is denser, and a bit nicer to meter accurately. No reason it won't work in the 257Bob and the 260.

Regards, Dave
 
I managed to get my hands on a few pounds of RL-17 as well.......I want to try it in my 243 Winchester with the 90 grain Accubond and 85 grain TSX bullets.....Anyone have any experience with this powder for the this particular cartridge....? I have used IMR4350 for years, but wanted to try the double based RL-17 to see if velocity could be increased....

Thanks,

Rojogrande
 
I have tried the RL17 in 30-06, 270, and 300 wsm and got fantastic velocities but only so-so accuracy. I then tried it in my 25 wssm under a 100 grain Scirocco and was favorably impressed with both accuracy and velocity.
 
Thanks for the tips thus far, it seems like a newer powder and no data in my books and not a lot online. On the chart says just a tad slower than the 4350's, if ya can get some more velocity and maintain accuracy should be a good deal. I have a 260 load with H4350 that I need to rework with a brass change, and may sub in some Re17 as well.

Haven't loaded the Bob yet but have all my cases prepped, my winter project :).

I also read about good velocity and but so so accuracy like some of you reported, and the 6xc article and was supposed to be a wonder powder or something so real world advise is appreciated!
 
bearhunter said:
IMHO, R17 is a bit to fast for both of those cartridges. It will work well enough for most purposes though.

IMR 7828SC or regular cut is a better choice. Probably the best overall choice for those cartridges. H4831 is very close in burn rate to R17 but just a bit slower.

Reloader powders are very nice to meter. Almost as nice as Ball powders. Even the SSC and SC powders offered by IMR and Hodgdon's don't meter as well.


With powder being difficult to find at the moment my advice is to stick with what you have and develop a load from there. The difference will be minimal for most applications with the mid range to light bullets you intend to use.

One other thing. If you decide to keep the powder you have on hand, check the lot numbers on each container. If any of them are different, open all three containers and pour them together in a bag or some other receptacle that will hold it all and still allow room to mix it together. I usually use a large stainless steel mixing bowl. I do this because different lots of powder, even if they have the same assigned number can have significantly different burn rates, depending on which end of the plus or minus specifications they were manufactured to.

By mixing those three cans together, you will have 3 pounds of exactly the same powder to work with. DO NOT MIX powders of different designations together.
Click to expand...

I do value your opinion but not quite following you here, h4350 seems to be a go to in the 260 and imr4350 in the bob, Re17 is just a bit slower. H4831 in 260 from what I read they can't get enough in there to get velocity before pressure and compressed loads. Re19 may be a better overall choice as I have seen some data for that in 260 and Roberts and looks good.
I have 2 7828ssc here but that's for something else :) I understand that's excellent magnum/heavy bullets and slower powder, I wouldn't think of using it in this application but if you know something I don't please share, as stated I'm a newer loader not too much experience but have read lots and have a good local guy here to pick his brain and here to learn.

Thanks!
 
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