How fast can the big eight go?

I'll drop into PG on Monday, thanks.

Oh yeah, running the numbers I see 3400-3450 with a 24" barrel with "conventional" powders. If RL17 is magic, who knows? I would expect RL22 or 25 to give higher velocities. That was the case with 165ers in my old 300Wby.
 
todbartell said:
Have you tried Rl17 in the 8mm Rem Mag with 160gr TTSX?:) I'll try H4350 too, and likely H4831sc too
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Nope - don't have one. I have tried RL17 in the 35 Whelen and was favourably impressed. RL17 seems to have a burn rate in the H4350 range, but it's more dense and said to have a chemical composition that smooths out the "burn curve".

I tried H4350 in my 8mm ARP with a 150gr Speer, and 84.0 grs gave only 3400 fps and I stopped because of pressure signs. I know that makes no sense as I should have been able to hit 88.0grs and 3600fps. My notes are old, and I'd be willing to try again with RL17 and work up to 88.0 grs (with a 150gr).

In the 8mm Rem Mag with a 160gr TTSX, I'd work in the 80.0 - 84.0 gr range with RL17. Does that seem reasonable?
 
I've pushed 200gr Nosler BT + RL22 well over 3200 FPS in my 338 Gaillard which is a 8mm case necked up & blown out ;) A 160gr should do 3300 FPS + in a 8mm I'd think?

8mm cases make great wildcats :D
 
with RL22 or IMR4831 or AA3100, you can achieve up to about 3050 wth a 200gr bullet on the 8mm RM, approx 125fps faster than 325WSM with a 200gr, on about 10-12 grs more powder. Powders like h870, MRP, Imr 7828 and reloader 19 should work well in it too. I'd say RL17 is a bit fast to get max velocities out of it. data is from Nosler.
 
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todbartell said:
sounds about right



no gbear hunting for me this spring. strange combo maybe, but it will be fun to experiment with :dancingbanana:
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Good caliber to play with. In my 8 RM, I get just under 3100 fps with 220 gr Sierras, with Accurate 3100 powder or RL 25. That's out of a 26" custom barrel, although I forget the maker at the moment. I could never get the 220 gr Hornadys to go that fast. I didn't try any lightbullets in it, as I never figured that's what the cartridge was designed for, and I have munerous lesser 8's to use those bullets in. FWIW. - dan
 
Pathfinder said:
the Bear would probably not know what hit him......
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probably......I don't doubt the 160gr TTSX will penetrate roughly the same as a 200gr Nosler Partition, which shouldn't bounce off game :D

I loaded up some test rounds tonight, over H4350 and RL17. Results to come soon..........:dancingbanana:
 
the chrony survived another trip! :D

old and slow they were not
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8mm Mag/160 ttsx (m700 24" brl)
H4350
80.0 - 3320
81.0 - 3371
82.0 - 3408
83.0 - 3496
84.0 - 3538

Rl17
80.0 - 3323
81.0 - 3390
82.0 - 3453
83.0 - 3518
84.0 - 3559

Both 84.0 grain loads showed some high pressure signs. I think 82-82.5 would be a safe max with both powders, in my rifle. I will shoot for group next time out, today was just to establish a sensible max. Judging by the 5 shot group of the different powder charges, H4350 was a bit tighter. We'll see next time out
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PS my shoulder is sore
 
That's a crap load of powder per load. And it's pretty quick too. No wonder you're a little on the sore side.
 
"They" say that the Burn Rate of RL17 is close to H4350, and your results confirm that (at least for that bullet in your gun). "They" also say that RL17 is more dense (it is), and has a special composition that allows use of more powder at lower pressures (it didn't seem to in your case). If the latter was true, you'd be able to load more up due to its greater density, and beat out H4350 by a grain or two while still being at acceptable pressures.

I'd like to see more guys compare RL17 to H4350. I'm trying it out this weekend in the 303 Brit with a 174gr BTHP, and have already given it a go in the 35 Whelen with a 250gr RN. In the 35 Whelen, its greater density proved worthwhile, as a full case of H4350 ran well below max pressure.

But if it's not more accurate, it doesn't matter.
 
Goes to show that "Powder Burn Rates" are not set, and can vary a bit from cartridge to cartridge and bullet weight to bullet weight. That's why no two burn rate tables are the same. It's still fair to say that RL17 has a burn rate similar to H4350.

Nice gun BTW.
 
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